Greek Chicken Lemon Meatballs (Print)

Juicy chicken meatballs with herbs and lemon, served alongside tangy yogurt sauce for Mediterranean flair.

# Components:

→ Meatballs

01 - 1.1 pounds ground chicken
02 - 1 small onion, finely grated
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 1/3 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
06 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - Zest of 1 large lemon
10 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil, for frying

→ Yogurt Sauce

14 - 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
15 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
16 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
17 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
18 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
19 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ground chicken, grated onion, minced garlic, egg, gluten-free breadcrumbs, parsley, dill, oregano, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just incorporated to maintain tenderness.
02 - With lightly dampened hands, portion the mixture into 20 to 24 small meatballs, each using approximately 1 heaping tablespoon. Arrange formed meatballs on a plate.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, cook meatballs, turning occasionally, until evenly golden brown and cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes per batch. Transfer cooked meatballs onto a plate lined with paper towel.
04 - In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, chopped dill, and season with salt and pepper. Stir until smooth and well blended.
05 - Arrange warm meatballs on a serving platter, drizzle or accompany with the zesty yogurt sauce, and garnish with extra dill and lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses common ingredients and fresh herbs you can find year-round
  • Everything cooks in one skillet for minimal cleanup
  • Ready in under 40 minutes so perfect for busy nights
  • Adaptable to gluten-free and low-carb diets
02 -
  • High in protein and low in carbs for a healthier meal
  • Stays moist from the grated onion and herb mixture
  • Freezes beautifully both raw or cooked
03 -
  • A grater works much better than chopping onions by hand for this recipe The grated onion releases juices that add flavor and keep everything moist
  • Do not skip the lemon zest in the meatballs or the yogurt sauce Fresh zest brings a sunshiney brightness that you simply cannot replicate with bottled lemon juice After frying let the meatballs rest a minute on a paper towel to wick away extra oil While the sauce is best made fresh you can mix it ahead and refrigerate for a couple of hours to let the flavors meld

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