Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo – Juicy Herb-Packed Meatballs Served Over Bright, Buttery Lemon Orzo with Feta

🎉 Introduction

Fresh, comforting, and full of Mediterranean flavor, Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo is a dish that feels both light and deeply satisfying. Tender chicken meatballs infused with garlic, lemon zest, dill, parsley, and oregano are paired with silky orzo cooked in chicken broth and finished with butter, lemon juice, and crumbled feta. Every bite is bright, savory, and perfectly balanced.

What makes this recipe special is the contrast of textures and flavors. The meatballs are juicy and aromatic, thanks to fresh herbs and breadcrumbs, while the lemon orzo is creamy without cream, rich yet refreshing. Lemon zest adds intensity, fresh herbs bring vibrancy, and feta provides a salty finish that ties everything together beautifully.

Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or serving guests, this dish is naturally high in protein and full of wholesome ingredients. It’s comforting without being heavy and elegant without being complicated. This Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo is a recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Medium saucepan
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spoon or spatula

🛒 Ingredients

Greek Chicken Meatballs

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)

Lemon Orzo

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Finishing Touch

• ⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled
• Fresh parsley or dill, chopped
• Lemon wedges, for serving

These ingredients come together to create bright, juicy chicken meatballs and silky lemon orzo with Mediterranean flair.

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Meatball Mixture

• In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, fresh dill, fresh parsley, dried oregano, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper.
• Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Step 2: Shape the Meatballs

• Roll the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1½ inches each.
• Set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Meatballs

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add meatballs and cook for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden on all sides and fully cooked.
• Remove from skillet and keep warm.

Step 4: Cook the Orzo

• In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth to a gentle boil.
• Add orzo and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

Step 5: Finish the Lemon Orzo

• Reduce heat to low.
• Stir in butter and lemon juice until smooth and glossy.
• Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 6: Assemble the Dish

• Spoon lemon orzo onto plates or into bowls.
• Top with warm chicken meatballs.
• Sprinkle with crumbled feta and fresh herbs.

Step 7: Serve

• Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

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

Perfect for balanced, comforting dinners.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator

• Store meatballs and orzo separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days.

Reheating

• Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
• Add a splash of broth to loosen the orzo if needed.

🥄 Variations

• Extra Lemon Flavor: Add more lemon zest to the orzo
• Herb-Forward: Increase fresh dill and parsley
• Creamier Orzo: Add more butter
• Low-Carb Option: Serve meatballs with vegetables instead of orzo
• Meal Prep Bowls: Portion into containers with feta on top
• Cheese Lover’s Version: Add extra feta before serving

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Are chicken meatballs healthy?
   Yes, they are lean and high in protein.
2. Can I bake the meatballs instead?
   Yes, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18–20 minutes.
3. Is the orzo creamy?
   Yes, without using cream.
4. Can kids eat this dish?
   Yes, it’s mild and fresh.
5. Does lemon overpower the dish?
   No, it adds brightness and balance.
6. Can I make this ahead of time?
   Yes, it reheats very well.
7. Is feta optional?
   Yes, but it adds great flavor.
8. Can I double the recipe?
   Yes, easily.
9. What herbs work best here?
   Dill and parsley are ideal.
10. Is this good for meal prep?
    Absolutely, it stores beautifully.

🏁 Conclusion

This Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo is the perfect combination of freshness and comfort. Juicy, herb-filled meatballs paired with buttery, lemony orzo create a meal that’s nourishing, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. Simple enough for weeknights and elegant enough to impress, this recipe brings Mediterranean warmth straight to your table.

Adam

Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo – Juicy Herb-Packed Meatballs Served Over Bright, Buttery Lemon Orzo with Feta

Fresh, comforting, and full of Mediterranean flavor, Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo is a dish that feels both light and deeply satisfying. Tender chicken meatballs infused with garlic, lemon zest, dill, parsley, and oregano are paired with silky orzo cooked in chicken broth and finished with butter, lemon juice, and crumbled feta. Every bite is bright, savory, and perfectly balanced. What makes this recipe special is the contrast of textures and flavors. The meatballs are juicy and aromatic, thanks to fresh herbs and breadcrumbs, while the lemon orzo is creamy without cream, rich yet refreshing. Lemon zest adds intensity, fresh herbs bring vibrancy, and feta provides a salty finish that ties everything together beautifully. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or serving guests, this dish is naturally high in protein and full of wholesome ingredients. It’s comforting without being heavy and elegant without being complicated. This Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo is a recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat.

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
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup breadcrumbs plain or panko
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking

Lemon Orzo

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Finishing Touch

• ⅓ cup feta cheese crumbled
• Fresh parsley or dill chopped
• Lemon wedges for serving
• These ingredients come together to create bright juicy chicken meatballs and silky lemon orzo with Mediterranean flair.

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Medium saucepan
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spoon or spatula

Method

 

Step 1: Prepare the Meatball Mixture

1. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, fresh dill, fresh parsley, dried oregano, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper.
2. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Step 2: Shape the Meatballs

1. Roll the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1½ inches each.
2. Set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Meatballs

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add meatballs and cook for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden on all sides and fully cooked.
3. Remove from skillet and keep warm.

Step 4: Cook the Orzo

1. In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth to a gentle boil.
2. Add orzo and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

Step 5: Finish the Lemon Orzo

1. Reduce heat to low.
2. Stir in butter and lemon juice until smooth and glossy.
3. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 6: Assemble the Dish

1. Spoon lemon orzo onto plates or into bowls.
2. Top with warm chicken meatballs.
3. Sprinkle with crumbled feta and fresh herbs.

Step 7: Serve

1. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator

Store meatballs and orzo separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Add a splash of broth to loosen the orzo if needed.

🥄 Variations

Extra Lemon Flavor: Add more lemon zest to the orzo

Herb-Forward: Increase fresh dill and parsley

Creamier Orzo: Add more butter

Low-Carb Option: Serve meatballs with vegetables instead of orzo

Meal Prep Bowls: Portion into containers with feta on top

Cheese Lover’s Version: Add extra feta before serving

❓ 10 FAQs

Are chicken meatballs healthy?
Yes, they are lean and high in protein.

Can I bake the meatballs instead?
Yes, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18–20 minutes.

Is the orzo creamy?
Yes, without using cream.

Can kids eat this dish?
Yes, it’s mild and fresh.

Does lemon overpower the dish?
No, it adds brightness and balance.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, it reheats very well.

Is feta optional?
Yes, but it adds great flavor.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, easily.

What herbs work best here?
Dill and parsley are ideal.

Is this good for meal prep?
Absolutely, it stores beautifully.

🏁 Conclusion

This Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo is the perfect combination of freshness and comfort. Juicy, herb-filled meatballs paired with buttery, lemony orzo create a meal that’s nourishing, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. Simple enough for weeknights and elegant enough to impress, this recipe brings Mediterranean warmth straight to your table.