Greek Chicken Meatballs with Homemade Tzatziki Recipe
These Greek Chicken Meatballs are a flavorful and healthy dish featuring ground chicken mixed with fresh herbs and spices, baked to perfection, and served with a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. Perfect for a tasty Mediterranean-inspired meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 30 meatballs 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander or cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar (optional)
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup grated cucumber (from 1/2 English cucumber)
- 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 clove garlic, grated or minced
- 2–3 tablespoons chopped dill, mint, or both
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil on a large baking sheet to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the remaining olive oil, ground chicken, egg, finely diced red onion, minced garlic, chopped dill, chopped mint, lemon zest, dried oregano, ground coriander or cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and red wine vinegar until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Use a cookie scoop or your hands to form 1-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Optionally, broil for 2–3 minutes to achieve a more golden and crispy exterior.
- Prepare Tzatziki: While the meatballs bake, squeeze the grated cucumber dry using a clean towel to remove excess moisture. In a bowl, combine the cucumber with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, grated garlic, salt, and chopped herbs (dill, mint, or both) until creamy and well mixed.
- Serve: Serve the warm meatballs alongside the homemade tzatziki sauce. They pair wonderfully with pita bread, fresh salad, or rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender and juicy.
- Squeezing the grated cucumber dry is essential to prevent a watery tzatziki sauce.
- Broiling the meatballs briefly after baking adds a nice color and slight crispiness.
- Fresh herbs can be adjusted based on preference or availability.
- Serve with pita or rice for a filling meal, or keep it light with a fresh salad.
Keywords: Greek chicken meatballs, tzatziki sauce, baked meatballs, Mediterranean chicken recipe, healthy chicken meatballs
