Greek Chicken Meatballs with Homemade Tzatziki
Greek Chicken Meatballs with Homemade Tzatziki are a delicious and light Mediterranean-inspired dish. Tender, flavorful meatballs made from ground chicken, fresh herbs, and spices are paired with a creamy, tangy tzatziki sauce. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or main dish, this healthy recipe is sure to be a hit!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 20 meatballs (4-6 servings)
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
For the Chicken Meatballs:
1 lb ground chicken
1/3 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cucumber, grated and excess moisture squeezed out
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
For the Chicken Meatballs:
-
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
-
Make the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, chopped red onion, minced garlic, and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper, and mix until well combined.
-
Form the meatballs: Using your hands, form the chicken mixture into small meatballs (1 to 1.5 inches in diameter) and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
-
Bake the meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/75°C).
For the Homemade Tzatziki Sauce:
-
Prepare the tzatziki: While the meatballs are baking, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (make sure to squeeze out any excess moisture), lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and fresh dill in a small bowl. Stir until smooth.
-
Season the sauce: Taste the tzatziki and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Adjust the lemon juice and garlic for more tanginess or flavor if needed.
Serve:
Once the meatballs are baked, serve them warm with the tzatziki sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling over the meatballs.
Notes
Substitute for Ground Chicken: You can use ground turkey for a similar flavor and texture.
Make Ahead: The tzatziki sauce can be made 2 days in advance, and the meatballs can be frozen after baking for up to 2 months.
Gluten-Free: Substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour to make the meatballs gluten-free.
