Mediterranean Greek Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Homemade Tzatziki
Introduction
Juicy, tender, and packed with Mediterranean flavor, these Greek Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Homemade Tzatziki are a fresh and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare. Seasoned ground chicken is combined with garlic, herbs, lemon, and feta, then baked until golden and served with a cool, creamy cucumber tzatziki sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Tender and flavorful chicken meatballs
Fresh Mediterranean herbs and lemon
Creamy homemade tzatziki
Easy oven-baked preparation
Perfect for lunch or dinner
Great for meal prep
Ingredients
For the Chicken Meatballs
1½ pounds ground chicken
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup finely diced red onion
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Tzatziki
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
½ cucumber, finely grated
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
3. In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, feta, garlic, red onion, parsley, dill, oregano, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
4. Mix gently with your hands until everything is evenly combined. Avoid overmixing.
5. Shape the mixture into approximately 18–20 small meatballs.
6. Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and lightly brush them with olive oil.
7. Bake for 18–22 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
8. While the meatballs bake, prepare the tzatziki.
9. Combine the Greek yogurt, squeezed cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill, olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
10. Stir until creamy and well combined.
11. Refrigerate the tzatziki until ready to serve.
12. Remove the meatballs from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes.
13. Serve warm with generous spoonfuls of homemade tzatziki.
Tips
Squeeze the cucumber thoroughly to prevent watery tzatziki.
Don’t overmix the chicken mixture, as this can make the meatballs dense.
Keep the meatballs similar in size so they cook evenly.
Fresh herbs give the dish its best Mediterranean flavor.
Cook ground chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Greek chicken meatballs with warm pita bread, chopped tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, hummus, or a simple Greek salad. They also pair beautifully with lemon rice or roasted potatoes.
Conclusion
Mediterranean Greek Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Homemade Tzatziki bring together juicy herb-seasoned chicken, tangy feta, fresh lemon, and a cool cucumber-yogurt sauce. Fresh, flavorful, and easy to make, this recipe is perfect for a satisfying Mediterranean-inspired meal.