Lemon Herb Chicken Meatballs with Garlic Yogurt Sauce
Juicy pan-seared chicken meatballs infused with lemon zest and fresh herbs, served in a lemon-butter sauce with a creamy garlic yogurt dip. Perfect for a hearty, flavorful meal any time of year.
- Author: Djihane
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Searing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/4 cup grated onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint or parsley
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- In a large bowl, mix together all the meatball ingredients until just combined. Shape into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the meatballs in batches until golden brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add lemon juice and chicken broth. Stir well to deglaze the pan.
- Return meatballs to the skillet and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through and sauce is slightly reduced.
- Meanwhile, combine all garlic yogurt sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Stir until creamy.
- Serve meatballs hot with garlic yogurt sauce on the side or spooned underneath. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices if desired.
Notes
- Use ground turkey as a substitute for chicken if desired.
- Make the yogurt sauce a day ahead for deeper flavor.
- Serve with rice, couscous, or flatbread for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: chicken meatballs, garlic yogurt sauce, lemon butter, Mediterranean, easy dinner