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One-Pan Greek Chicken Meatballs and Lemon Orzo

One-Pan Greek Chicken Meatballs and Lemon Orzo

Delicious One-Pan Greek Chicken Meatballs and Lemon Orzo for a quick and satisfying meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4 servings
Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

  • frying pan
  • Mixing Bowl

Ingredients
  

For the meatballs

  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
  • cup medium shallot, finely diced
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
  • 2 tablespoons half-and-half or whole milk
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound ground chicken preferably dark meat
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the orzo

  • 3 ¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 ½ cups dried orzo pasta
  • 3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ cup juice of large lemon
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill plus more for garnish

Instructions
 

Make the meatballs

  • Stir the finely grated zest of 1 large lemon, 1 finely diced medium shallot, 1 large egg, 4 minced garlic cloves, ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs, ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves, 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill, 2 tablespoons half-and-half, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper together in a large bowl.
  • Add 1 pound ground chicken and mix until evenly combined; do not overmix or the meatballs will be tough. Scoop out the mixture in heaping 2-tablespoon portions (about 20) and roll between damp hands until a smooth ball forms. Place on a plate.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a 12-inch frying pan or skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the meatballs in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball registers at least 165°F, 12 to 15 minutes total. Transfer to a clean plate.

Make the orzo

  • Add 3 ¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth and 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt to the same skillet and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in 1 ½ cups dried orzo. Cook according to the package instructions, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute less than al dente and most of the broth is absorbed, about 9 minutes.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in 3 ounces crumbed feta cheese, the juice of 1 large lemon, and 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill. Return the meatballs to the skillet, cover, and cook until the meatballs are warmed through, 1 to 2 minutes more. Garnish with more chopped dill if desired.

Notes

Ground turkey, ground lamb, or lean ground beef can be substituted for the ground chicken. The meatballs can be prepared and refrigerated raw or cooked up to 2 days in advance or frozen in a single layer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before continuing with the recipe. If the meatballs are fully cooked, bake in a 400ºF oven until heated through before adding them to the orzo. Refrigerate leftover meatballs and orzo in separate containers for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Chicken, lemon, Meatballs, one pan, orzo
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