Greek Chicken Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce

Greek Chicken Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce

Servings

3–4
Total time: ~35–40 minutes

🧾 Ingredients

🔸 Chicken meatballs

• 500g ground chicken
• 1 small onion, finely grated or minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• ½ cup breadcrumbs (or oat flour for lighter option)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil

🔸 Tzatziki sauce

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• ½ cucumber, grated and well-drained
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh dill (or mint)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

🔸 Optional for serving

• Pita bread or flatbread
• Rice or couscous
• Salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare tzatziki sauce

• Grate cucumber and squeeze out excess water (very important)
• In a bowl, mix yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt, and pepper
• Stir until smooth
• Refrigerate while preparing meatballs

✔️ Letting it chill improves flavor

2. Make meatball mixture

• In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, herbs, oregano, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil
• Mix gently until just combined (don’t overmix or meatballs will be dense)

3. Shape meatballs

• Form into small balls (about 1–1.5 inches)
• Lightly oil hands if mixture is sticky

4. Cook meatballs

Option A: Pan-fry

• Heat 1–2 tbsp olive oil in a pan over medium heat
• Cook meatballs for 10–12 minutes, turning until golden and fully cooked

Option B: Bake (healthier)

• Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F)
• Place meatballs on lined tray
• Bake for 18–22 minutes, turning halfway

✔️ Internal temp should reach 75°C (165°F)

5. Serve

• Plate meatballs with tzatziki on the side
• Add pita, rice, or salad
• Optional: drizzle olive oil and sprinkle extra herbs

🔥 Pro Tips

• Grated onion keeps meatballs juicy
• Don’t overmix—keeps texture tender
• Chill mixture for 10 minutes before shaping for easier rolling
• Add feta inside meatballs for extra flavor boost

🌿 Flavor Profile

• Fresh herbs (dill, parsley, oregano)
• Bright lemon
• Creamy garlic yogurt sauce
• Juicy, lightly spiced chicken

🍽️ Variations

• Air fryer version: 190°C for 12–15 minutes
• Low-carb version: serve over salad or zucchini noodles
• Spicy version: add chili flakes or cayenne
• Beef/lamb swap: traditional Mediterranean alternative

🧠 Why this works

The meatballs stay juicy from onion + egg, while herbs and lemon give brightness. Tzatziki balances everything with creamy, tangy freshness.