Description
A Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring juicy Greek chicken meatballs paired with a creamy tzatziki sauce and lemon butter orzo pasta. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Meatballs
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons 2% milk
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons Italian parsley (chopped small)
- Avocado oil, as needed (for pan-searing)
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (0% or 2% Fage)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1.5–2 tablespoons fresh dill (chopped small)
- ¾ cup cucumber (seeds removed and finely diced)
- Kosher salt (to taste)
Lemon Butter Orzo Pasta
- 6–8 ounces orzo pasta
- 2–4 tablespoons reserved pasta water
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 4 cloves garlic (lightly smashed or pressed)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup baby spinach (packed)
- ¼ cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Cracked black pepper (to taste)
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh mint (chopped)
- Lemon slices
- Feta cheese crumbles
- Red pepper flakes
- Kalamata olives
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Tzatziki
- Grate or finely dice the cucumber and squeeze out excess moisture.
- In a mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, dill, and salt. Stir until smooth.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Step 2: Cook the Orzo Pasta
- Boil the orzo in salted water until al dente. Reserve 2–4 tablespoons of pasta water before draining.
- Drizzle the drained orzo with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Make the Chicken Meatballs
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, milk, salt, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley. Mix until just combined.
- Form the mixture into 14–16 medium-sized meatballs.
- Heat avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the meatballs in batches until golden brown on all sides.
- Transfer the meatballs to a greased baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes until fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
Step 4: Finish the Orzo Pasta
- Heat avocado oil in a skillet and sauté smashed garlic until golden.
- Add the cooked orzo and deglaze the pan with lemon juice.
- Stir in the reserved pasta water and fold in the spinach. Once wilted, add butter and stir until melted.
- Turn off the heat and mix in the feta. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Step 5: Assemble the Dish
- Plate the lemon butter orzo as the base.
- Arrange the baked meatballs on top.
- Add a dollop of tzatziki sauce to each plate.
- Garnish with mint, lemon slices, or feta, as desired.
Notes
- Tzatziki sauce can be made up to 2 days in advance.
- Store leftover meatballs in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and substitute orzo with gluten-free pasta or quinoa.
- You can substitute turkey for chicken in the meatballs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet and Oven
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 115mg