Easy Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo – Fresh, Flavorful, and Comforting

🎉 Introduction
These Easy Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo bring bright Mediterranean flavors straight to your table. Juicy chicken meatballs seasoned with oregano, parsley, and feta are paired with tender orzo infused with fresh lemon for a meal that’s light yet deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of dinner that feels special but is simple enough for busy weeknights.

Balanced, family-friendly, and perfect for healthy comfort food, this recipe works beautifully for dinner, meal prep, or even casual entertaining. If you love Greek-inspired recipes with fresh herbs and citrus, this one belongs on your rotation.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Baking sheet or skillet
• Parchment paper (if baking)
• Medium saucepan
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spoon or spatula

🛒 Ingredients

Greek Chicken Meatballs

• 1 lb ground chicken
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Zest of ½ lemon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)

Lemon Orzo

• ½ cup orzo pasta
• Water for boiling
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Pinch of salt

These ingredients create tender Greek chicken meatballs and bright, citrusy lemon orzo that pair perfectly together.

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Meatball Mixture

• In a large mixing bowl, add ground chicken, breadcrumbs, feta cheese, egg, oregano, parsley, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper.
• Mix gently with your hands or a spoon until just combined.
• Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.

Step 2: Shape the Meatballs

• Using your hands, form the mixture into small meatballs (about 1½ tablespoons each).
• Place them on a plate or lined baking sheet.

Step 3: Cook the Meatballs

Option A – Pan Cook:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add meatballs and cook for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and fully cooked.

Option B – Oven Bake:

• Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
• Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Bake for 15–18 minutes, until cooked through.

Step 4: Cook the Orzo

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add orzo and cook according to package instructions until tender.
• Drain well.

Step 5: Finish the Lemon Orzo

• Return drained orzo to the pot.
• Stir in olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
• Mix until lightly creamy and fragrant.

Step 6: Assemble the Dish

• Spoon lemon orzo onto plates or bowls.
• Top with Greek chicken meatballs.
• Garnish with extra parsley or lemon zest if desired.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: About 40 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.
• Add a splash of water or olive oil to refresh the orzo.

🥄 Variations

• Extra Veggies: Add spinach or zucchini to the orzo.
• Lower Carb: Serve meatballs over cauliflower rice.
• Herb Swap: Use dill instead of parsley for a classic Greek touch.
• Creamy Option: Stir a spoon of plain yogurt into the orzo before serving.
• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of chili flakes to the meatballs.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Are these meatballs juicy?
   Yes, breadcrumbs and feta keep them moist.
2. Can I use chicken thighs?
   Yes, ground chicken thigh works well.
3. Is this recipe kid-friendly?
   Yes, flavors are mild and fresh.
4. Can I meal prep this?
   Absolutely—it reheats very well.
5. Is orzo pasta or rice?
   Orzo is a small pasta shaped like rice.
6. Can I freeze the meatballs?
   Yes, freeze cooked meatballs for up to 2 months.
7. Can I skip feta?
   Yes, but feta adds classic Greek flavor.
8. Is this dish heavy?
   No, it’s light yet filling.
9. Can I double the recipe?
   Yes, it scales easily.
10. What sides go well with this?
    Greek salad or roasted vegetables.

🏁 Conclusion
These Easy Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo are a fresh, comforting meal that blends bright citrus, herbs, and tender chicken into a dish you’ll love making again and again.

Adam

Easy Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo – Fresh, Flavorful, and Comforting

These Easy Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo bring bright Mediterranean flavors straight to your table. Juicy chicken meatballs seasoned with oregano, parsley, and feta are paired with tender orzo infused with fresh lemon for a meal that’s light yet deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of dinner that feels special but is simple enough for busy weeknights. Balanced, family-friendly, and perfect for healthy comfort food, this recipe works beautifully for dinner, meal prep, or even casual entertaining. If you love Greek-inspired recipes with fresh herbs and citrus, this one belongs on your rotation.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Greek Chicken Meatballs

• 1 lb ground chicken
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
• Zest of ½ lemon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking

Lemon Orzo

• ½ cup orzo pasta

Water for boiling

• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Pinch of salt
• These ingredients create tender Greek chicken meatballs and bright citrusy lemon orzo that pair perfectly together.

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Baking sheet or skillet
• Parchment paper (if baking)
• Medium saucepan
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spoon or spatula

Method

 

Step 1: Prepare the Meatball Mixture

1. In a large mixing bowl, add ground chicken, breadcrumbs, feta cheese, egg, oregano, parsley, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper.
2. Mix gently with your hands or a spoon until just combined.
3. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.

Step 2: Shape the Meatballs

1. Using your hands, form the mixture into small meatballs (about 1½ tablespoons each).
2. Place them on a plate or lined baking sheet.

Step 3: Cook the Meatballs

1. Option A – Pan Cook:
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add meatballs and cook for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and fully cooked.
4. Option B – Oven Bake:
5. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
6. Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until cooked through.

Step 4: Cook the Orzo

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add orzo and cook according to package instructions until tender.
3. Drain well.

Step 5: Finish the Lemon Orzo

1. Return drained orzo to the pot.
2. Stir in olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
3. Mix until lightly creamy and fragrant.

Step 6: Assemble the Dish

1. Spoon lemon orzo onto plates or bowls.
2. Top with Greek chicken meatballs.
3. Garnish with extra parsley or lemon zest if desired.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.

Add a splash of water or olive oil to refresh the orzo.

🥄 Variations

Extra Veggies: Add spinach or zucchini to the orzo.

Lower Carb: Serve meatballs over cauliflower rice.

Herb Swap: Use dill instead of parsley for a classic Greek touch.

Creamy Option: Stir a spoon of plain yogurt into the orzo before serving.

Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of chili flakes to the meatballs.

❓ 10 FAQs

Are these meatballs juicy?
Yes, breadcrumbs and feta keep them moist.

Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, ground chicken thigh works well.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, flavors are mild and fresh.

Can I meal prep this?
Absolutely—it reheats very well.

Is orzo pasta or rice?
Orzo is a small pasta shaped like rice.

Can I freeze the meatballs?
Yes, freeze cooked meatballs for up to 2 months.

Can I skip feta?
Yes, but feta adds classic Greek flavor.

Is this dish heavy?
No, it’s light yet filling.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, it scales easily.

What sides go well with this?
Greek salad or roasted vegetables.

🏁 Conclusion
These Easy Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo are a fresh, comforting meal that blends bright citrus, herbs, and tender chicken into a dish you’ll love making again and again.