Greek Chicken Meatballs
These Greek chicken meatballs are packed with Mediterranean flavors like dill, lemon, and a hint of fennel. This healthy recipe is easy to make and pairs perfectly with your favorite sides like creamy orzo or garlic rice and a simple cucumber salad.
Why we love this greek chicken meatball recipe
If there is one thing my kids love to eat, it’s meatballs. They love them and will take them in any form. They’re a huge fan of my baked turkey meatballs with chimichurri sauce, and they’ll never turn down classic Italian meatballs.
So I figured it was time to switch things up while giving them what they want, and this recipe is just so good. They loved it. These Greek chicken meatballs a nice change of pace with their bold, bright flavors and they go great with our favorite side dishes.
Ingredients & substitutions
- Ground chicken – I used a lean ground chicken (93/7) for this recipe. You could also use ground turkey without much of a flavor difference.
- Panko breadcrumbs – These are our go-to dairy free breadcrumb option, but please always make sure to check your ingredients labels to ensure a product is safe for you.
- Egg – I have not tried an egg substitute, but I think a really simple swap would be your favorite unsweetened yogurt. This could be coconut, soy or even dairy yogurt (if that’s safe for you).
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed below are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
How to make these greek chicken meatballs
Combine ingredients. Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and mix them together until they’re just barely combined. Don’t over mix or you’ll end up with tough meatballs.
This step can be done in advance, and I actually recommend letting the mixture sit for about 15 minutes before rolling the meatballs to allow the breadcrumbs to soak in the moisture.
Make the meatballs. Scoop 3-tablespoon-sized portions of the meat mixture and gently roll them into meatballs. Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet and either brush them with olive oil, or make it really easy and use your favorite cooking spray. This step is optional, but it helps the meatballs brown nicely.
Bake until golden. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake your meatballs for 15 minutes. They should be golden on at least one side, and they internal temperature should be at 165˚F.
If your meatballs aren’t super browned, that’s ok. It’s hard to get chicken meatballs to get really brown up, so don’t worry. They’re still going to taste great.
*dairy free tip: are your breadcrumbs safe?
Store-bought breadcrumbs are a common source of hidden dairy. It’s less common in panko breadcrumbs, but it’s still possible. Make sure to read your labels carefully before using any ingredients than may contain milk.
Everything you need to know about chicken meatballs
Why are my chicken meatballs falling apart?
If your chicken meatballs are falling apart, the issue might be a lack of binding ingredients like breadcrumbs and eggs. Also keep in mind, if the mixture is too dry, the meatballs may not hold their shape very well.
Why are my chicken meatballs tough?
Overmixing could be the culprit if you have tough meatballs. When you over mix the ingredients the meatballs become dense and firm. Make sure you are only mixing the ingredients until they are combined.
More greek inspired recipes you should try
More dairy free meatballs you will love
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1 lemon (zested)
- 2 teaspoons dried mined onion
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seed
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 2 teaspoons coarse salt
- Black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚F and line a baking dish with parchment paper.
- Combine the meatball ingredients in large mixing bowl and gently mix to combine. Try to avoid over-mixing to prevent tough meatballs.
- Scoop meat and roll into about meatballs about 3 tablespoons in size. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and spray with cooking spray (or brush with olive oil).
- Bake meatballs for 15 minutes, or until they have reached an internal 165˚F.
- Remove from oven and serve immediately.
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