Greek Chicken Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Greek Chicken Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce are a fresh and flavorful dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering. These tender meatballs are infused with herbs and served with a cool, creamy cucumber sauce that complements the savory flavors beautifully.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cucumber, grated and drained
• 1 clove garlic, minced (for tzatziki)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for tzatziki)
• 1 tbsp chopped dill (for tzatziki)
• Pinch of salt (for tzatziki)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, chopped red onion, parsley, dill, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
2. Step 2: Form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Step 3: Drizzle the meatballs with olive oil and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 18–20 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
4. Step 4: While the meatballs bake, prepare the tzatziki sauce by mixing Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, chopped dill, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Chill the sauce until ready to serve.
5. Step 5: Serve the warm meatballs with tzatziki on the side or drizzled over the top for a delicious contrast of flavors.

Tips & Variations

• For extra moisture, soak the breadcrumbs in a little milk before mixing them into the meatball mixture.
• Try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or cumin for a smoky twist on the meatballs.
• Serve with warm pita bread and a side salad for a complete Mediterranean meal.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and tzatziki separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the meatballs gently in the oven or microwave before serving. Tzatziki is best served cold and should not be heated.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatballs a day in advance and keep them refrigerated. Bake just before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Absolutely. Ground turkey works well as a substitute and will yield similar results in taste and texture.

Greek Chicken Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 64 reviews

These Greek Chicken Meatballs are a flavorful and healthy dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests. Made with ground chicken, fresh herbs, and zesty lemon, they’re baked to perfection for a juicy and tender texture. Served with a cool, creamy homemade tzatziki sauce made from Greek yogurt, cucumber, and dill, this recipe brings authentic Mediterranean flavors to your table with easy preparation.

• Author: Leo
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Tzatziki Sauce

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cucumber, grated and drained
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp chopped dill
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, chopped red onion, parsley, dill, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the meat, which can cause toughness.
2. Form the meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and arrange them evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
3. Bake the meatballs: Drizzle the meatballs with olive oil for extra moisture and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 18–20 minutes. They should turn golden brown on the outside and be cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
4. Make the tzatziki sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine the Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, chopped dill, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve to allow flavors to meld and sauce to chill.
5. Serve: Plate the warm meatballs with tzatziki sauce served on the side or drizzled over the top. Garnish with extra fresh dill or parsley if desired and enjoy!

Notes

• Drain the grated cucumber thoroughly to avoid a watery tzatziki sauce.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour.
• Use fresh herbs like dill and parsley for the best flavor, but dried can be used in a pinch.
• Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
• This recipe can be doubled easily for larger gatherings.

Keywords: Greek chicken meatballs, tzatziki sauce, baked meatballs, Mediterranean recipe, healthy chicken meatballs, Greek yogurt sauce