Feta-Stuffed Greek Chicken Meatballs with Roasted Garlic Tzatziki

Feta-Stuffed Greek Chicken Meatballs with Roasted Garlic Tzatziki 🧆🧄🇬🇷

Juicy chicken meatballs with a melty feta center, served with creamy roasted garlic tzatziki—a light yet flavorful Greek-inspired dish!

Ingredients

For the Chicken Meatballs:

• 1 lb (450g) ground chicken (or turkey)

• 3 oz (85g) feta cheese, cut into small cubes (for stuffing)

• 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• ⅓ cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)

• 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)

• 1 egg, lightly beaten

• ¼ cup finely chopped red onion

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Roasted Garlic Tzatziki:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat for creaminess)

• ½ cucumber, grated & squeezed dry

• 3-4 cloves roasted garlic (mashed)

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt & pepper, to taste

(Optional garnish: extra dill, lemon wedges, olives, or pita bread!)

Instructions

1. Make the Meatballs

1. Mix: In a bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, red onion, dill, lemon zest/juice, oregano, salt, and pepper.

2. Stuff: Take a small portion of meat, flatten slightly, place 1 feta cube in the center, and roll into a ball (ensuring cheese is sealed inside).

3. Cook:

   • Stovetop: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs for 8-10 mins, turning until golden and cooked through (165°F/75°C internally).

   • Oven: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 mins on a parchment-lined tray.

2. Prepare the Tzatziki

1. Roast garlic: Wrap garlic cloves (in foil) with a drizzle of oil, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 mins, then mash.

2. Mix: Combine yogurt, grated cucumber, roasted garlic, lemon juice, dill, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Chill for 30+ mins for flavors to meld.

3. Serve

• Arrange meatballs on a platter with tzatziki for dipping.

• Garnish with extra dill and lemon wedges.

Tips

🧀 No cheese leakage: Freeze feta cubes for 10 mins before stuffing.
🔥 Extra crisp: Broil meatballs for 2-3 mins after baking.
🌿 Herb swap: Use mint instead of dill in tzatziki.
🍽 Serving ideas: Pair with Greek salad, roasted veggies, or pita.

A crowd-pleaser for dinners, mezze platters, or meal prep! 😍

(For a lighter version, skip the breadcrumbs and bake instead of pan-frying!)