Greek Chicken Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce
Serves
4–6 people (about 18–20 meatballs)
🧆 Greek Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
1 lb (450 g) ground chicken
½ cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred)
1 large egg
¼ cup red onion, very finely minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
Zest of 1 lemon
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp dried oregano
¾ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil (plus more for cooking)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat a skillet over medium heat if pan-frying.
In a large bowl, gently mix all ingredients until just combined.
Don’t overmix—this keeps them tender.Roll into 1½–2 inch meatballs.
Cook using one method:
Oven: Place on a lined baking sheet, lightly brush with olive oil. Bake 18–22 minutes until cooked through (165°F internal).
Pan: Sear in olive oil, turning gently, about 10–12 minutes total.
Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes for extra browning.
🥒 Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients
1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat recommended)
½ large English cucumber, grated
2 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Salt to taste
Instructions
Grate cucumber and squeeze out excess water using a towel or paper towels.
Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
Chill for at least 20 minutes for best flavor.
🍽 How to Serve
With warm pita or flatbread
Over lemon rice or orzo
In a gyro-style wrap
With a Greek salad (tomato, cucumber, feta, olives)
As a meal prep protein for the week
❓ Q & A / FAQ
Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Yes! Ground turkey works perfectly—use dark meat if possible to avoid dryness.
Why are my meatballs dry?
Common causes:
Overmixing the meat
Using extra-lean chicken
Overcooking
👉 Tip: breadcrumbs + egg + olive oil are key for moisture.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely.
Uncooked meatballs: refrigerate up to 24 hours
Cooked meatballs: refrigerate 3–4 days
Can I freeze them?
Yes!
Freeze uncooked or cooked meatballs up to 3 months
Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking/reheating
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes—use:
Gluten-free breadcrumbs
Almond flour (start with ⅓ cup)
What if I don’t like dill?
No problem—swap with:
Parsley
Mint (very Greek, very good)
Or skip herbs entirely
How long does tzatziki last?
Stored airtight in the fridge: 3–4 days
Stir before serving as it may release liquid.
Can I make tzatziki dairy-free?
Yep! Use:
Unsweetened coconut or almond yogurt
Add extra lemon + salt to balance flavor.
