Quick & Juicy Mediterranean Chicken Meatballs Recipe for Dinner

Mediterranean chicken meatballs bring sunshine to your plate with their vibrant, herb-infused charm.

Rich spices and fresh ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that awakens your senses.

Lean protein takes center stage in this delightful culinary creation, promising both nutrition and satisfaction.

Crafted with care, these bite-sized delicacies capture the essence of coastal Mediterranean cooking without heavy complexity.

Fragrant herbs and bright citrus notes elevate the humble chicken into something extraordinary and memorable.

Each meatball represents a perfect balance of texture and taste, promising a delectable experience for adventurous food lovers.

Prepare to revolutionize an ordinary meal into an exciting Mediterranean-inspired feast.

Why Mediterranean Chicken Meatballs Feel So Fresh

• Burst with Mediterranean Flavors: These chicken meatballs pack a punch of sun-dried tomatoes, feta, and fresh herbs, delivering an authentic taste that transports you straight to the coastal regions of Greece and Italy.
• Effortlessly Healthy Protein Boost: Lean ground chicken combined with low-fat ingredients creates a nutritious meal that's high in protein and low in calories, perfect for fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious eaters.
• Quick and Simple Weeknight Dinner: With just 25 minutes of baking time and minimal prep work, these meatballs offer a delicious solution for busy home cooks looking for a fast, flavorful meal that impresses without stress.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Serve these meatballs over rice, in a salad, or as an appetizer, making them adaptable for everything from casual family dinners to elegant dinner parties with minimal effort.

What Makes These Meatballs Light and Herby

• Ground Chicken: Lean protein that provides the main structure for the meatballs with a mild flavor perfect for absorbing Mediterranean seasonings.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meatballs and provides a light, tender texture to the final dish.
• Egg: Acts as a crucial binding agent to hold the meatballs together during cooking.

• Feta Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Adds tangy and savory notes with a classic Mediterranean cheese profile and helps enhance the overall flavor complexity.
• Green Onions, Parsley: Fresh herbs that bring brightness, color, and a crisp, aromatic element to the meatballs.
• Garlic: Provides a robust, pungent flavor fundamental to Mediterranean cuisine.

• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Concentrated sweet-tangy ingredient that adds depth and Mediterranean character to the meatballs.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and highlight the other ingredients flavors.
• Lemon Juice: Optional bright, acidic finish that can be squeezed over meatballs to add freshness.

How to Bake or Pan-Fry for Tender Results

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and non-stick cooking.

Step 2: Mix Meatball Ingredients

• Ground chicken
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Feta cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Minced garlic
• Chopped green onions
• Chopped parsley
• Salt
• Pepper

Blend all ingredients thoroughly until well incorporated.

Step 3: Shape Meatballs

Use a scoop or your hands to form 2-inch round meatballs. Place each meatball carefully on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them.

Step 4: Bake To Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the meatballs turn a beautiful golden brown and are completely cooked through.

Step 5: Serve And Enjoy

Optional: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the meatballs for an extra zesty flavor. Serve alongside a crisp Mediterranean salad or fluffy rice for a complete meal.

Tips for Juicy Texture and Balanced Flavor

• Prevent Dry Meatballs: Mix ground chicken with breadcrumbs and egg to ensure moisture and prevent dense, tough texture.
• Precise Shaping Technique: Use a cookie scoop or wet hands to create uniform meatballs that cook evenly and look professional.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Chop sun-dried tomatoes and herbs finely to distribute flavor throughout each meatball and enhance overall taste.
• Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe and perfectly cooked meatballs.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare meatballs in advance and refrigerate for up to 24 hours or freeze uncooked for convenient meal preparation.

Storage Tips to Keep Them Moist

• Refrigerator Storage: Seal cooled meatballs in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Ensure the container is clean and completely sealed to maintain freshness and prevent odor transfer.
• Freezer Preservation: Wrap individual meatballs in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Label the container with the date to track storage time accurately.
• Reheating Method: Warm refrigerated meatballs in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes until heated through. For frozen meatballs, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Avoid microwaving to prevent rubbery texture and maintain the delicious Mediterranean flavors.

What to Pair with These Mediterranean Bites

• Pair with Crisp Greek White Wine: Complement the meatballs' Mediterranean flavors with a chilled Assyrtiko from Santorini, highlighting the sun-dried tomatoes and feta cheese notes.
• Serve Alongside Tzatziki Dipping Sauce: Create a creamy, tangy accompaniment that enhances the chicken's herbs and balances the rich parmesan and feta cheese in the meatballs.
• Match with Herbed Couscous: Prepare a light, fluffy couscous studded with fresh parsley and mint, mirroring the green onions and parsley in the meatballs while providing a perfect texture contrast.
• Refresh with Cucumber Tomato Salad: Craft a bright, zesty side dish that echoes the Mediterranean ingredients, adding crunch and lightness to the protein-packed meatballs.

Tasty Twists Inspired by the Mediterranean

• Greek Herbal Fusion: Replace green onions with fresh dill and mint, adding a fragrant Mediterranean herb profile that enhances the chicken's natural flavor.
• Spicy Aegean Style: Incorporate red pepper flakes and smoked paprika into the meat mixture, creating a bold and zesty meatball with a warm, vibrant kick.
• Olive Infusion Option: Mix chopped Kalamata olives into the ground chicken for an intense, briny Mediterranean character that complements the existing cheese and herbs.
• Lean Protein Alternative: Substitute ground turkey for chicken, maintaining similar texture while offering a slightly different protein base for health-conscious cooks.

Mediterranean Chicken Meatballs Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 18 1x

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Description

Succulent Mediterranean chicken meatballs blend Greek and Italian culinary traditions with herbed ground chicken, feta, and aromatic spices. Served with a zesty tzatziki sauce, these tender morsels promise a delightful journey through Mediterranean flavors you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground chicken or ground turkey

Dairy and Cheese:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) feta cheese
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) parmesan cheese
• 1 egg

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (or ½ teaspoon garlic powder)
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh parsley, chopped
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Squeeze of lemon, optional

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Instructions

1. Gather all ingredients and preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), positioning the rack in the center. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and non-stick cooking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, dried breadcrumbs, lightly beaten egg, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, grated parmesan cheese, minced garlic, thinly sliced green onions, freshly chopped parsley, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Using clean hands or a wooden spoon, thoroughly blend all ingredients until evenly distributed, ensuring the mixture holds together without overworking the meat.
4. Utilize a 2-tablespoon (30 milliliters) cookie scoop or wet hands to shape uniform meatballs, rolling them between palms to create smooth, round spheres approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) in diameter.
5. Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) apart to allow even heat circulation and promote consistent browning.
6. Roast in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking, until the meatballs develop a golden-brown exterior and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
7. Remove from the oven and let rest for 3–5 minutes. Optional: Drizzle freshly squeezed lemon juice over the meatballs to enhance their bright, tangy flavor.
8. Serve immediately alongside a crisp Mediterranean salad or aromatic rice pilaf for a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Whip up these protein-packed meatballs using lean ground chicken for a healthier twist on traditional recipes.
• Finely chop sun-dried tomatoes and herbs to distribute flavors evenly throughout the meat mixture.
• Crumble feta cheese generously to add tangy Mediterranean notes and keep meatballs moist during baking.
• Use a light hand when mixing ingredients to prevent dense, tough meatballs that can become rubbery.
• Ensure meatballs are uniform in size for consistent cooking and attractive presentation on the plate.
• Rest cooked meatballs for a few minutes after baking to help them retain moisture and develop deeper flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 18
• Calories: 110 kcal
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 35mg