Description
Savory Mediterranean chicken meatballs bring zesty flavors from Greece and Lebanon to dinner tables. Herbed ground chicken, garlic, and spices meld perfectly, offering a delicious twist you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground chicken or ground turkey
- ¼ cup (60 ml) feta cheese
- ¼ cup (60 ml) parmesan cheese
- 1 whole egg
- ¼ cup (60 ml) whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) green onions, chopped
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Squeeze of lemon, optional
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the oven to 400°F (200°C), center the rack, and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for effortless cooking and cleanup.
- Mixing: In a spacious bowl, amalgamate ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, parmesan, garlic, green onions, parsley, salt, and pepper. Blend thoroughly with hands or wooden spoon, ensuring uniform distribution without compressing the meat excessively.
- Shaping: Utilize a cookie scoop or moistened hands to craft uniform meatballs, rolling them into smooth 2-inch spheres that maintain structural integrity.
- Roasting: Strategically place meatballs on the prepared sheet, maintaining slight separation to facilitate even heat circulation and consistent caramelization. Bake for 20-25 minutes, midway rotating the pan to guarantee comprehensive cooking.
- Finishing: Verify internal temperature reaches 165°F, then extract from oven and allow brief resting. Optionally, enhance with a zesty lemon juice drizzle to elevate the Mediterranean flavor profile.
- Serving: Present immediately alongside a crisp salad or fragrant rice pilaf, transforming these succulent meatballs into a complete, vibrant dining experience.
Notes
- Prevent Tough Meatballs: Avoid overmixing the meat to keep the texture tender and juicy. Gentle mixing preserves the meat’s delicate structure.
- Moisture is Key: Using a moist ingredient like sun-dried tomatoes and egg helps bind the meatballs while keeping them succulent and flavorful.
- Temperature Matters: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked meatballs without drying out.
- Space for Success: Leaving room between meatballs on the baking sheet allows hot air to circulate, creating an evenly browned and crispy exterior.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 19
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg