Description
These Lemon Chicken Feta Meatballs with Garlic Orzo are a Mediterranean-inspired delight! Juicy, flavorful meatballs made with ground chicken, feta cheese, and fresh lemon zest are baked to perfection and served over a rich, buttery garlic orzo. This easy 35-minute meal is perfect for a weeknight dinner yet elegant enough for entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
For the Garlic Orzo:
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, mix ground chicken, feta, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, lemon zest, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until just combined.
- Shape & Bake: Form the mixture into 16-18 meatballs and place them on the baking sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cook the Orzo: While the meatballs bake, cook orzo in salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Combine & Serve: Stir in the cooked orzo, then add Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well, then serve with the baked meatballs. Garnish with extra parsley, feta, or lemon zest if desired.
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: Meatballs can be prepped a day in advance and stored in the fridge before baking.
- Storage: Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Warm in the microwave in 30-second intervals or reheat the orzo on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth.
- Substitutions:
- Swap ground turkey for chicken.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs & pasta for a GF version.
- Try ricotta or goat cheese instead of feta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (¼ of the recipe)
- Calories: ~400 kcal
- Sugar: ~2g
- Sodium: ~650mg
- Fat: ~18g
- Saturated Fat: ~7g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~35g
- Fiber: ~2g
- Protein: ~30g
- Cholesterol: ~110mg