Greek Chicken Meatballs are a delicious and flavorful twist on traditional meatballs, infused with the bold flavors of Greece. Here's a complete recipe to make Greek Chicken Meatballs, along with tips and variations to make them even tastier:
Ingredients:
* 1 pound ground chicken
* 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
* 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon lemon zest
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* Salt and pepper, to taste
* 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
* 1/4 cup chopped Kalamata olives (optional)
* 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, feta cheese, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
3. Using your hands, shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter. You should end up with around 20-25 meatballs.
4. If using, add the chopped red onion and Kalamata olives to the meatball mixture and gently fold them in.
5. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space between each meatball.
6. Drizzle the meatballs with a little bit of olive oil and gently roll them around to coat evenly.
7. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they're cooked through and lightly browned on the outside.
8. While the meatballs are baking, heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, until they're nicely browned.
Tips for making Greek Chicken Meatballs:
* To prevent dry meatballs, don't overmix the mixture. Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are just combined.
* Use high-quality breadcrumbs, such as Panko, which will help the meatballs retain their moisture.
* Don't overcrowd the baking sheet, as this can cause the meatballs to stick together. Cook them in batches if necessary.
* If you want to make the meatballs ahead of time, you can shape them and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours or freeze them for up to 3 months. Simply thaw and bake when you're ready.
Variations:
* Spicy Greek Chicken Meatballs: Add 1-2 teaspoons of hot sauce, such as sriracha or red pepper flakes, to the meatball mixture.
* Italian-Style Greek Chicken Meatballs: Add 1/4 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh basil to the meatball mixture.
* Greek Chicken Meatballs with Greek Yogurt Sauce: Serve the meatballs with a dollop of Greek yogurt sauce (made by mixing Greek yogurt with lemon juice, garlic, and a pinch of salt) instead of the traditional serving with tomato sauce.
* Bacon-Wrapped Greek Chicken Meatballs: Wrap each meatball with a slice of bacon before baking for an added smoky flavor.
Greek Chicken Meatballs are a versatile and delicious dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or even used as a topping for pasta or pizza. Enjoy!
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