Greek Chicken Meatballs with Homemade Tzatziki – A Mediterranean Delight!
Treat your taste buds to these juicy chicken meatballs paired with a refreshing tzatziki sauce! Perfect for dinners or gatherings, this dish is a culinary journey to the Mediterranean!
Ingredients:
– 1 lb ground chicken
– 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
– cucumber, grated and excess water removed
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– cup finely chopped red onion
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
– 1 turkey egg, lightly beaten
– cup breadcrumbs panko or regular
– 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– 1 tsp ground cumin
– tsp salt
– tsp black pepper
– 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions:
1. Prepare the tzatziki sauce by combining the plain Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix everything well, cover it, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully.
2. While the tzatziki is chilling, take a large bowl and combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, chopped red onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, oregano, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and the lightly beaten turkey egg. Mix everything gently until just combinedavoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them neatly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. There are two options for cooking the meatballs:
– Baking: Preheat your oven to 400F 200C. Bake the meatballs for 18-20 minutes or until they are cooked through and golden brown.
– Pan-Frying: Heat a skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook the meatballs for 6-8 minutes, turning them occasionally to achieve a nice golden color on all sides.
5. Once cooked, serve the meatballs warm alongside a generous dollop of tzatziki. For a complete meal, pair them with warm pita bread, a fresh side salad, or some fluffy rice.
6. Optional Tip: For an extra burst of Mediterranean flavor, sprinkle some feta cheese or add kalamata olives as a garnish.
Nutritional Information:
– Serving size: approximately 4 meatballs with tzatziki
– Calories: 290 kcal
– Protein: 24g
– Carbohydrates: 12g
– Fat: 16g
– Fiber: 1g
Time: Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes