Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo
A simple yet flavorful dish featuring tender Greek chicken meatballs served over a zesty lemon orzo, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken Use 93% lean for best results.
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs Adjust based on preferred texture.
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Can use pre-grated Parmesan.
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley Optional but recommended.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced Add more for stronger flavor.
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt Adjust to taste.
- 1/4 tsp pepper Adjust to taste.
For the orzo
- 1/2 cup chicken broth Use a good quality broth for flavor.
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tbsp lemon juice Freshly squeezed is best.
- 1 Zest of 1 lemon Adds brightness to the dish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Shape mixture into meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until cooked through.
Cooking the orzo
- In a pot, bring chicken broth to a boil and add orzo.
- Cook according to package instructions.
- Once orzo is cooked, drain and return to pot.
- Stir in lemon juice and zest, mixing well.
Serving
- Serve meatballs over lemon orzo, drizzled with olive oil.
Notes
You can use ground turkey instead of chicken and swap orzo for other bases like couscous or quinoa. This dish reheats well and is a great meal prep option.