Description
Tender, juicy, and packed with Mediterranean flavors, these Chicken Zucchini Meatballs are a deliciously healthy choice for any meal. Paired with a refreshing cucumber-avocado salad and creamy tzatziki, this dish is perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner or an elegant gathering.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- Ground chicken – 1 lb
- Zucchini, grated – 1 medium
- Panko breadcrumbs – ½ cup
- Feta cheese, crumbled – ½ cup
- Yellow onion, minced – ⅓ cup
- Fresh dill, finely chopped – 2 tbsp
- Jalapeño, minced – 2 tbsp
- Lemon zest – 1 tsp
- Kosher salt – ¾ tsp
- Garlic powder – ¾ tsp
- Black pepper – ½ tsp
- Olive oil – As needed (for cooking)
For the Cucumber-Avocado Salad:
- English cucumber, diced – 1
- Avocado, cut into chunks – 1 large
- Fresh herbs (basil, dill, or mint) – 2 tbsp
- Lemon juice – 1–2 tbsp
- Olive oil – 2 tbsp
- Kosher salt – To taste
- Black pepper – To taste
For Serving:
- Cooked white rice – As needed
- Tzatziki sauce – As needed
- Fresh dill – Optional (for garnish)
- Olive oil – Optional (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, grated zucchini (squeezed to remove excess moisture), breadcrumbs, feta cheese, onion, dill, jalapeño, lemon zest, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Mix gently until combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Form into 24 mini meatballs (about 1 tablespoon each).
- Cook the Meatballs
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Cook the meatballs in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.
- Brown on all sides, cooking for 6–8 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
- Make the Cucumber-Avocado Salad
- In a large bowl, combine diced cucumber, avocado, and fresh herbs.
- Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss gently to coat.
- Assemble the Dish
- Serve a scoop of cooked rice on each plate.
- Top with meatballs and a generous portion of cucumber-avocado salad.
- Drizzle with tzatziki sauce and garnish with fresh dill and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.
Notes
- Grate and Squeeze Zucchini: Removing excess moisture prevents soggy meatballs.
- Uniform Meatballs: Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized meatballs.
- Adjust Spice: Reduce or omit jalapeño for a milder flavor, or add seeds for extra heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean