Go Back
+ servings
healthy Greek chicken meatballs with homemade tzatziki

Greek Chicken Meatballs

Enjoy these juicy Greek chicken meatballs served on a light Greek salad with yogurt-based tzatziki dressing. Quickly cook the meatballs in the oven, stovetop, or air fryer for a healthy, gluten-free meal in under 30 minutes—perfect for weeknight dinners or lunches!
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Serving 4 servings

Ingredients
 

Chicken Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground chicken, I like 93% lean
  • 1 large egg
  • cup panko breadcrumbs, gluten-free if needed
  • cup red onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Greek Salad:

  • 3 hearts romaine, chopped
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium English cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • ½ cup red onion, diced
  • cup crumbled feta cheese

Tzatziki:

  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 0%, 2%, or 5%
  • ½ cup cucumber, grated on a box grater
  • 1 - 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

Make the Meatballs:

  • If cooking in the oven: preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, panko breadcrumbs, red onion, garlic cloves, parsley, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Gently mix with your hands to fully combine.
    all ingredients in Greek chicken meatballs in a bowl before mixing
  • Using a scooper or your hands, create 18 – 20 meatballs. Evenly space them across the lined baking sheet.
  • Oven: Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until fully cooked (165°F internal temperature).
  • Stovetop: Heat a cast-iron skillet or non-stick pan to medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and chicken meatballs. Sear on all sides for about 3 minutes total, then reduce heat to medium and cook for an additional 10 minutes, until fully cooked through.
    side by side how to cook chicken meatballs in a pan on the stove
  • Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F, spray with non-stick spray, and evenly place chicken meatballs across the basket. Air fry for 8 – 12 minutes until cooked through and golden brown.

Make the Tzatziki:

  • Grate the cucumber using a box grater and squeeze out excess water using a cheesecloth or by hand. Alternatively, pat dry with a paper towel.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine all the tzatziki ingredients and place in the fridge while you prepare the salad.

Assemble the Salad:

  • Add chopped romaine lettuce as a base for each individual bowl.
  • Arrange cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, red onion, and feta cheese.
    adding cooked chicken meatballs on top of the greek salads
  • Add cooked chicken meatballs to each bowl and drizzle with homemade tzatziki sauce.
  • Enjoy!
    Greek salad with chicken meatballs

Notes

Storing: Place chicken meatballs in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag separate from the salad and dressing in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: Reheating: For optimal results, reheat chicken meatballs separately in the microwave or air fryer before adding them to your salad. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes until heated through, or warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes.
Use 93% Lean Chicken: I highly recommend this because the chicken meatballs will be juicier.
Roll the Meatballs with Wet Hands: Trust me, it may sound strange at first, but I make meatballs weekly, and I’ve discovered this game-changing tip. Before rolling the meatballs, lightly wetting your hands prevents the mixture from sticking. It’s a simple trick that ensures smoother rolling and perfectly shaped meatballs every time.
Season Generously: Don’t be shy with the seasoning. Chicken can be bland on its own, so make sure to season the meatball mixture well with salt, pepper, and herbs. Taste the mixture before forming the meatballs to ensure it’s well-seasoned.
Customize the Salad: Feel free to customize the salad ingredients based on your preferences or what’s in season. For extra color and nutrition, add additional vegetables like bell peppers or avocado.
Red Onion: For a milder flavor, substitute red onion with finely chopped green onions (scallions), yellow onion, or white onion.
Lettuce Variety: Use any lettuce variety, like mixed greens or spinach, as a salad base.
Lemon Juice: If needed, you can substitute the fresh lemon juice with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
As an Appetizer: Whether it’s for a party or a family dinner, these Greek chicken meatballs make a delightful appetizer when served with hummus or tzatziki dipping sauce.
As a Main Course: Not a fan of salads? No problem! These juicy Greek chicken meatballs are perfect as a main dish alongside rice, quinoa, grilled vegetables, or a simple side salad.
Gyro Wrap: Create a tasty gyro wrap by filling warm pita bread with meatballs, lettuce, tomato, and tzatziki sauce. So delicious!

Nutrition

Calories: 379kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 153mg | Sodium: 980mg | Potassium: 1414mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 8702IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 184mg | Iron: 4mg
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Greek, Healthy, Mediterranean
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Please leave a comment and star rating on this post and tag @HealthfulBlondie on Instagram & hashtag it #healthfulblondie!