Ingredients
For the meatballs:
1 lb ground chicken
1 medium zucchini, grated (no need to press out moisture)
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/3 cup minced yellow onion (or shallots)
2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh dill (or parsley)
2 Tbsp minced fresh jalapeño
1 tsp lemon zest
3/4 tsp kosher salt
3/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil for cooking
For serving (optional):
Cooked white rice
Tzatziki (homemade or store-bought)
Cucumber-Avocado Salad (optional):
1 English cucumber, diced
1 large avocado, cut into chunks
2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil, dill, or mint
1–2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients. Mix well using your hands until fully incorporated.
- Roll mixture into 24 mini meatballs. (Moisten hands with water or olive oil if mixture sticks.)
- Heat 1–2 Tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs in batches until golden and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes, turning to brown evenly. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining meatballs.
- While meatballs cook, prepare the cucumber-avocado salad: combine cucumber, avocado, herbs, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Toss gently.
- Serve meatballs over rice with cucumber-avocado salad and a scoop of tzatziki. Garnish with dill and cracked black pepper if desired.
Alternative cooking methods:
– Bake: Place on greased baking sheet at 425°F for 10–15 minutes.
– Air fry: Lightly spray and cook at 400°F for 12–14 minutes.
Notes
- Swap dill for parsley, mint, or cilantro.
- Use ground turkey instead of chicken.
- Add chili flakes for extra spice.
- Replace feta with goat cheese or grated Parmesan.
- Serve with quinoa, couscous, or pita instead of rice.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan-fried, Baked, or Air-fried
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 meatballs
- Calories: 307
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 105mg