Description
Delicious and flavorful Greek Chicken Meatballs made with fresh herbs and spices, pan-fried to a perfect golden brown. Served over a bed of chopped romaine lettuce with feta, cucumber, tomato, white rice, and creamy tzatziki sauce, this dish offers a wonderful balance of taste and nutrition for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for frying
For Serving
- Chopped romaine lettuce
- Feta cheese, for serving
- Cucumber, sliced or diced
- Tomato, sliced or diced
- White rice
- Tzatziki sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: Add the ground chicken, salt, black pepper, ground cumin, ground oregano, red pepper flakes, chopped fresh dill and mint, finely diced red onion, minced garlic, and lemon zest into a mixing bowl. Use your hands to thoroughly mix all ingredients together until they are evenly combined.
- Form the Meatballs: Using a cookie dough scoop or tablespoon, scoop out portions of the chicken mixture. Roll each portion with your hands to form uniform meatballs, ensuring they are compact to hold shape during cooking.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, carefully add the meatballs to the skillet in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, turning gently to brown all sides evenly. Continue cooking until the internal temperature of each meatball reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring they are fully cooked through. Work in batches if necessary.
- Assemble and Serve: Arrange a bed of chopped romaine lettuce on serving plates. Place the cooked meatballs over the lettuce and top with crumbled feta cheese, diced cucumber, and tomato. Add a serving of white rice and a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce on the side. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using fresh herbs like dill and mint really enhances the authentic Greek flavor of the meatballs.
- Cooking the meatballs in batches prevents overcrowding and ensures they brown nicely.
- Check the internal temperature to guarantee the chicken is safely cooked.
- Serve with warm pita bread for a complete Mediterranean meal.
- Tzatziki sauce can be homemade or store-bought for convenience.
