Greek Chicken Meatballs
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
410 kcal
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Cuisine
Mediterranean, Greek
Greek Chicken Meatballs
Description
This recipe starts by mixing ground poultry with spices like garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes for a mildly spiced meatball mixture. Feta cheese can be added for moisture and flavor. The meatballs are pan-fried in olive oil over medium heat, cooking thoroughly until reaching an internal temperature of 165°F and browning gently on all sides.
The accompanying tzatziki sauce blends Greek yogurt with olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dill, minced garlic, salt, and grated, drained cucumber. This fresh sauce complements the meatballs with creamy texture and bright, tangy flavors enhanced by herbs.
Serving suggestions include pairing meatballs and sauce with rice, fresh vegetables, grape tomatoes, and herbs, creating a balanced meal with warm protein and cool sauce contrast.
The notes also specify ingredient preferences like using Butterball lean turkey, squeezing excess water from cucumbers, and adjusting seasonings of the sauce for less tanginess by adding olive oil.
Ingredients
- 1 to 1.3 lbs ground turkey or ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1/2 cup feta cheese (optional)
For Cooking:
- 2 to 3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Homemade Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt
- 2 to 3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill, fresh, diced
- 3 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 to 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 cucumber (grated and squeezed to drain excess water)
Instructions
- Start by mixing together ground turkey or chicken in a bowl with garlic powder, salt, pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes, and optional feta cheese. Mix with hands or with spoon until thoroughly mixed together.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and let heat for 1-2 minutes. Roll ground turkey into medium size golf balls and place in the pan.
- Let cook for about 6-7 minutes per side. Watch carefully and lower heat if needed to allow the inside to cook before the exterior becomes too browned. Cook until internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees and is no longer pink.
- Serve with rice, homemade tzatziki sauce, crisp sliced cucumbers, halved grape tomatoes, and herbs.
Tzatziki Sauce:
- In a bowl, stir together yogurt, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dill, garlic, salt, and grated cucumber. Taste for seasonings. If it is too tangy, add a little more extra-virgin olive oil.
Notes
- Use Butterball 93% lean ground turkey for moist meatballs.
- Grate and thoroughly squeeze excess moisture from cucumbers before adding to tzatziki to avoid watery sauce.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control spiciness according to preference.
- Whole milk Greek yogurt adds creaminess to tzatziki, but 0% fat yogurt can be used if desired.
- Add extra olive oil to tzatziki if a thinner or less tangy sauce is preferred.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 410 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 410kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 8g | 3% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 104mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 1784mg | 74% |
| Potassium | 507mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 379IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 228mg | 23% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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