Description
These Greek chicken meatballs with lemon orzo are a delightful and flavorful meal that combines the zesty flavors of lemon and herbs with the comforting texture of orzo pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 egg (beaten)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, red onion, garlic, feta cheese, parsley, dill, oregano, beaten egg, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form: Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1-1.5 inches in diameter.
- Fry: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Cook Orzo: In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the orzo and cook according to the package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
- Season Orzo: Drain the orzo and return it to the saucepan. Add the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the Greek chicken meatballs over the lemon orzo. Garnish with additional chopped parsley and a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese.
Notes
Mix meatball ingredients gently to keep them tender. Use uniform sizes for even cooking. Cook meatballs in batches to ensure a nice golden crust. Adjust lemon juice in the orzo to taste preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 448 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo