Mediterranean Chicken Meatball Bowls with Tzatziki
Baked Mediterranean chicken meatballs served with Greek lemon rice, tomato-cucumber salad, feta, and creamy tzatziki. This complete bowl is ready in 35 minutes and makes four satisfying servings.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Meatballs
- 450 g ground chicken
- 85 g regular dry breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 80 ml whole milk
- 1½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 15 g fresh parsley finely chopped
For the Tomato-Cucumber Salad
- 150 g cherry tomatoes halved
- 200 g cucumber diced
- 40 g red onion thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Assembling the Bowls
- Cooked Greek lemon rice for serving
- Tzatziki sauce for serving
- 40 g crumbled feta optional
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine 450 g ground chicken, 85 g regular dry breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 80 ml whole milk and 1½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large bowl. Add 3 garlic cloves, minced, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 15 g fresh parsley, finely chopped. Mix gently just until evenly combined.
- Divide the mixture into 20 evenly sized meatballs. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, until lightly golden and 74 °C internally. Rest for 5 minutes before assembling the bowls.
- Combine 150 g cherry tomatoes, halved, 200 g cucumber, diced, and 40 g red onion, thinly sliced, in a separate bowl.
- Add 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, and ¼ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon salt. Toss well and let the salad rest for 5 minutes.
- Divide the cooked Greek lemon rice among four bowls. Add five baked chicken meatballs to each bowl, then divide the tomato-cucumber salad evenly.
- Finish each Mediterranean chicken meatball bowl with tzatziki, optional crumbled feta, and fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
Mix gently: Stop mixing once the ingredients are evenly combined. Overmixing can make ground-chicken meatballs firm.
Divide evenly: Shape 20 similar meatballs so they cook evenly and provide five meatballs per bowl.
Check the center: Test a meatball from the center of the baking sheet and confirm it reaches 165°F (74°C).
Protect the contrast: Add the cool salad and tzatziki after the warm rice and meatballs to preserve their distinct textures.
Nutrition
Calories: 436kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 149mg | Sodium: 1097mg | Potassium: 902mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 696IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 172mg | Iron: 4mg
