Go Back

Tender chicken meatballs flavored with lemon and herbs, served with cool, creamy cucumber tzatziki for a bright Mediterranean appetizer.
Print Recipe
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 450 g ground chicken thighs
  • 40 g panko breadcrumbs, toasted
  • 35 g red onion, soaked and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tsp Greek oregano, crushed
  • 1 lemon, zest and juice
  • 1 egg, room temperature
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp mastiha resin
  • 250 g full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 Persian cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for drizzling

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • Skillet
  • Microplane
  • paper towels

Method
 

  1. Grate cucumber and squeeze thoroughly until no moisture drips.
  2. Combine chicken, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, herbs, lemon zest and juice, egg, salt, and pepper. Fold gently and rest 10 minutes.
  3. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls and place on parchment-lined sheet.
  4. Heat olive oil until shimmering and sear meatballs 2–3 minutes per side. Cool 5 minutes.
  5. Mix yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill, mint, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and refrigerate.
  6. Serve warm meatballs with chilled tzatziki and garnish with herbs and lemon wedges.

Nutrition

Calories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 18gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 210mgPotassium: 260mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 6IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 6mg

Notes

Squeeze cucumber completely dry and avoid overmixing meat for best texture.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!