Baked Mediterranean Chicken Meatballs Recipe
These Baked Mediterranean Chicken Meatballs are a flavorful and healthy dish combining ground chicken with fragrant herbs, feta cheese, and a hint of spice. Perfectly baked to tender, juicy perfection and finished with a delicious marinade sauce, they offer a delightful Mediterranean twist on a classic favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: About 40 meatballs 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 kg Ground chicken (2.2 lb)
- 2 Eggs
- 80 g Bread crumbs (⅔ cup, 2 dl)
- 85 g Feta cheese (3 oz)
- 1 Onion, finely chopped
- 2 Cloves Garlic, pressed
- 2 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Thyme
- 1 tsp Piri piri (optional)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Dried spearmint (or 1 tbsp fresh spearmint)
Marinade Sauce
- Marinade sauce (quantity as desired for coating after baking, recipe not specified)
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) to prepare it for baking the meatballs.
- Line: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the meatballs from sticking and to ensure even cooking.
- Mix: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, eggs, bread crumbs, crumbled feta, finely chopped onion, pressed garlic, oregano, thyme, piri piri (if using), salt, black pepper, and spearmint. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until evenly incorporated.
- Roll: Shape the mixture into approximately 40 small meatballs, about the size of a walnut, ensuring they are evenly sized for consistent cooking.
- Bake: Place the meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 17 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned.
- Add Sauce: Heat your preferred marinade sauce in a frying pan over medium heat. Once warm, add the baked chicken meatballs and gently toss them in the sauce just long enough to coat them, allowing the flavors to meld without overcooking.
Notes
- Feel free to use fresh herbs if available for a more vibrant flavor.
- The piri piri is optional and can be adjusted according to your spice tolerance.
- If you do not have parchment paper, lightly grease the baking tray to prevent sticking.
- Ensure meatballs are cooked thoroughly by checking that their internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).
- You can serve these with a side of tzatziki, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken meatballs, baked chicken meatballs, healthy meatballs, feta chicken meatballs, easy chicken dinner
