Why we love these meatballs

Quick and Easy: These delicious Greek chicken meatballs are super easy to make using simple ingredients and take just twenty minutes in the oven, and even less in the air fryer (instructions for both are in the recipe card). Making these healthy meatballs perfect for those busy weeknights.

Healthy: Using lean ground chicken means you get the protein with less calories and fat. I use rolled oats instead of breadcrumbs for even more nutrition. And these flavorful meatballs are baked instead of fried, so you don't need oil.

Versatile: These meatballs make a delicious meal drizzled with my homemade tzatziki sauce and served alongside a Greek salad. They are just as good with your favorite sauce on pasta, in sandwiches and wraps, and you can even serve them as a cocktail appetizer with a tzatziki dipping sauce.

Meal Prep: Meatballs are ideal for meal prep and these Greek meatballs are no exception. Make a big batch of this delicious recipe for the week. I love having a Greek chicken meatball bowl or wrap with rice and veggies for a delicious healthy dinner or lunch.

Ingredient notes

Lean ground chicken: You can use ground chicken breast or ground chicken thighs, or a combination of both. This recipe works equally well with ground turkey.

Egg: The egg acts as a binder; use a large egg.

Rolled oats: Also called old-fashioned oats. For meatballs, I love the extra nutrition and texture that oats add to the recipe vs breadcrumbs. I also use oats for meatloaf. The oats make this recipe gluten-free, because I'm using gluten-free rolled oats. Use regular rolled oats if gluten isn't a concern. You can also use panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs.

Feta Cheese: Feta adds a delicious tang and tiny pockets of creaminess to the meatballs. The feta cheese addition also adds some fat to the very lean ground chicken.

Seasonings: I'm using dried herbs for this recipe. However, when my herb garden is in full swing, I replace them with fresh herbs. Replace one tablespoon of fresh herbs per teaspoon of dried. I am using onion powder and garlic powder, because of the quick cooking time for these meatballs. (Even finely minced, fresh onion and garlic won't cook as quickly as the rest of the meatball).

Step by step instructions

Whisk the egg in a large bowl.

Add feta, oats, and seasonings.

Add ground chicken, and use a spoon or your hands to combine all ingredients.

Roll the meatball mixture into balls and place on a baking sheet. Bake until golden and cooked through.

The four steps in the recipe process, numbered.

Top Tips

Mixing. To avoid tough meatballs, be sure not to overwork the meat mixture. Over mixing will result in rubbery meatballs. For tender, juicy meatballs, mix the ingredients until just combined, then handle gently when forming the meatballs.

Forming meatballs. To ensure that your meatballs are of uniform size, use a tablespoon, an ice cream scoop, or a cookie scoop to portion them before rolling into balls.

Rolling. Lightly wet your hands to prevent the meatball mixture from sticking. Use your palm to gently roll into balls.

Spacing. Whether you use the oven or an air fryer to cook these ground chicken meatballs, be sure to leave space around them on the baking sheet or air fryer basket. This will allow them to brown properly.

Cooking time. The cooking time will vary with your oven or air fryer. The best way to ensure perfectly cooked meatball is to use a meat thermometer. Ground chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°.

Storage. Leftover Greek chicken meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Freeze. Transfer completely cooled cooked meatballs to a freezer safe container and freeze for up to three months. Defrost overnight in the fridge.

Serving suggestions

Greek chicken meatballs are a natural served with lots of tzatziki sauce, either homemade or store-bought tzatziki, and a Greek salad of cucumber, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, and Kalamata olives. Or try my Greek pasta salad for a perfect meatball pairing. We also love these meatballs served with tahini roasted cauliflower.

Meatballs are perfect on pasta or spaghetti squash with a simple marinara sauce, or stuff them into toasted pita bread with lots of fresh veggies. And there's no need to keep it strictly Greek. Some delicious side dishes include roasted vegetables, baked carrots, sauteed green beans, and braised red cabbage.

Finally, these Greek chicken meatballs love a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, so be sure to serve with lots of lemon wedges.

Recipe

Comments

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