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One-Pan Greek Chicken Meatballs and Lemon Orzo

One-Pan Greek Chicken Meatballs and Lemon Orzo

Discover this easy One-Pan Greek Chicken Meatballs and Lemon Orzo recipe, combining flavorful meatballs and orzo in a lemony broth.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course main dish
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • 12-inch frying pan or skillet

Ingredients
  

For the meatballs

  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest about 1 large lemon
  • cup medium shallot, finely diced about 1 medium shallot
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped about ¼ medium bunch
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped about ½ medium bunch
  • 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

  • 3.75 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1.5 cups dried orzo pasta
  • 3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled about ½ cup
  • ¼ cup juice of large lemon about 1 large lemon
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped 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 (no need to wash) 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

Substitutions: 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: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 30gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 15mg
Keyword chicken meatballs, Comfort Food, easy recipe, Family Meal, lemon orzo, One-Pan
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