Healthy & Easy Baked Greek Chicken Meatballs with Zesty Tzatziki and Roasted Vegetables

Looking for a Mediterranean-inspired meal that’s both healthy and incredibly flavorful? These Baked Greek Chicken Meatballs are an absolute delight! Made lighter with lean ground chicken, packed with aromatic Greek herbs, and perfectly baked alongside tender potatoes and fresh vegetables, this dish offers a complete and satisfying meal. Topped with a creamy, zesty tzatziki sauce, it’s a wholesome option that’s perfect for family dinners or a fantastic addition to your weekly meal prep rotation. Discover how to create this vibrant, easy-to-make Greek classic that will transport your taste buds straight to the Aegean.

Ingredients and Flavorful Substitutions for Your Greek Meatballs

Crafting delicious Greek meatballs starts with selecting the right ingredients. This recipe focuses on fresh, vibrant flavors that are characteristic of Mediterranean cuisine. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and some excellent substitutions to ensure you can make this dish, no matter what’s in your pantry.

For the Perfectly Roasted Potatoes

• Baby potatoes: These small, tender potatoes are ideal for roasting as they cook quickly and develop a lovely crispy exterior. If baby potatoes aren’t available, you can easily substitute with larger potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes. Simply dice them into 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking alongside the meatballs.
• Olive oil: A cornerstone of Greek cooking, olive oil adds a rich, fruity flavor and helps achieve that golden-brown crispness. If you need an alternative, neutral cooking oils like avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or canola oil will work well without imparting an overpowering flavor.
• Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the potatoes and adds a necessary tang. While fresh is always preferred for its vibrant taste, bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, though the flavor may be slightly less intense.
• Dried oregano: This classic Greek herb is essential for an authentic taste, offering an earthy and slightly peppery note. Dried basil is a good substitute that provides a similar aromatic profile, or you could use a Greek seasoning blend.
• Salt & pepper: Always season to your personal preference. A good sprinkle of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper enhances all the flavors.

For the Authentic Greek Meatballs

• Ground chicken: We’re opting for ground chicken to make these meatballs a healthier, leaner option. For those who prefer, ground turkey is an excellent alternative, offering a similar mild flavor and texture. Ground pork can also be used for a richer, more traditional meatball, or even a mix of ground beef and pork for a heartier bite.
• Yellow onion: Grated yellow onion adds moisture and a subtle sweetness to the meatballs, preventing them from drying out during baking. If you don’t have yellow onion, shallots offer a more delicate, sweet flavor, while white onions provide a sharper, more pungent taste that still works beautifully.
• Minced garlic: Freshly minced garlic is highly recommended for its pungent, aromatic qualities. If time is short, jarred minced garlic can be used, but fresh cloves will always provide a superior depth of flavor.
• Parsley: Fresh, finely chopped parsley brings a bright, herbaceous note that is characteristic of Greek cuisine. For a different but complementary flavor, you could try using more dried oregano or even chervil, which has a delicate, anise-like taste.
• Lemon zest: This tiny addition provides a concentrated burst of fresh lemon aroma without adding excess liquid. If you don’t have a lemon for zesting, a small amount of fresh lemon juice (about ¼-½ teaspoon) can be added to the mixture, but be mindful not to make the mixture too wet.
• Dried oregano: As with the potatoes, dried oregano is key for the Greek flavor profile in the meatballs. Basil is a good alternative if you need to swap it out.
• Dried dill: Dill is a defining herb in Greek cooking, adding a fresh, slightly tangy, and herbaceous flavor. Tarragon is a potential substitute, offering a similar licorice-like note, but it is generally stronger, so use it sparingly.
• Salt & pepper: Essential for seasoning the meatballs and bringing out the flavors of the herbs and meat. Adjust quantities to your taste.

Delicious Components to Serve Your Meal

• Cherry tomatoes: These juicy, sweet tomatoes add a burst of freshness and color to the plate. Grape tomatoes are an excellent substitute, or you can serve with any other fresh vegetable you enjoy, such as chopped bell peppers or olives for an extra Mediterranean touch.
• Cucumber: Crisp cucumber provides a refreshing contrast to the rich meatballs. Sliced zucchini or even thinly sliced radishes can be used as alternatives for a similar crunchy texture.
• Red onion: Thinly sliced red onion offers a sharp, slightly sweet bite. White onion can be used, but its flavor is milder, so you might want to consider soaking it in cold water for a few minutes to reduce its pungency if serving raw.
• Parsley: A garnish of fresh parsley enhances the visual appeal and adds a final fresh herbaceous note. Again, oregano or chervil would be the best alternatives for a similar flavor profile.
• Tzatziki: The creamy, cooling tzatziki is arguably the star condiment for Greek meatballs. For ultimate convenience, a good quality store-bought tzatziki works perfectly. If you have a few extra minutes, making your own is surprisingly simple with Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (squeezed dry), olive oil, fresh dill, lemon juice, and a touch of minced garlic.

How to Make These Irresistible Baked Greek Meatballs

Making these healthy Greek chicken meatballs is straightforward and requires minimal fuss, especially since everything bakes on one sheet pan for easy cleanup. Follow these simple steps for a delicious meal:

Step 1: Get Your Potatoes Roasting.

First, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high temperature is crucial for achieving crispy, golden potatoes. On a large, parchment-lined baking sheet, combine your sliced baby potatoes with a generous drizzle of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Toss everything together until the potatoes are evenly coated. Spread them out in a single layer to ensure they roast rather than steam. Pop them into the preheated oven and let them bake for 20 minutes to get a head start.

Step 2: Prepare the Flavorful Meatball Mixture.

While the potatoes are roasting, it’s time to assemble your Greek chicken meatballs. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, grated yellow onion (grating ensures the onion seamlessly incorporates into the meatballs and adds moisture), minced garlic, finely chopped fresh parsley, bright lemon zest, dried oregano, dried dill, and a final seasoning of salt and pepper. Mix all the ingredients gently but thoroughly. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough meatballs. The goal is just to combine everything until uniform.

Step 3: Shape Your Greek Meatballs.

Once the meatball mixture is ready, begin rolling it into uniform balls, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You should aim for roughly 16-20 meatballs from 1 pound of ground chicken. Placing them on a cutting board initially can help with organization. Ensure they are rolled firmly enough to hold their shape but not so tightly that they become dense. This gentle handling, combined with the lack of breadcrumbs or egg, helps keep them tender.

Step 4: Bake the Meatballs and Potatoes Together.

After the potatoes have had their initial 20 minutes in the oven, carefully remove the baking sheet. Arrange the raw chicken meatballs evenly among the partially roasted potatoes on the same sheet pan. This method allows the meatballs to cook thoroughly while also benefiting from the flavors already developing on the pan. Return the baking sheet to the oven and continue baking for another 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the potatoes are tender and golden-brown. A meat thermometer should read 165°F (74°C) for cooked chicken.

Step 5: Prepare Your Refreshing Sides.

While the meatballs and potatoes finish cooking, prepare your fresh side salad. In a separate bowl, combine the sliced cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion. Add a generous amount of fresh parsley, a drizzle of olive oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently toss to combine. This simple salad adds a vibrant, cooling element that perfectly complements the warm meatballs and potatoes.

Step 6: Assemble, Serve, and Savor!

Once the meatballs are golden and cooked through, and the potatoes are tender with crispy edges, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Divide the roasted potatoes and Greek chicken meatballs evenly into individual bowls. Add a generous portion of your freshly prepared side vegetables. Finish each serving with a dollop (or more!) of creamy tzatziki sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy this complete, healthy, and incredibly satisfying Greek-inspired meal!

Frequently Asked Questions About Baked Greek Meatballs

We’ve gathered some common questions about making these Greek chicken meatballs to help ensure your culinary success. From avoiding mushy textures to meal prep tips, find all the answers here.