Indulge in vibrant Mediterranean flavors with this easy, delicious recipe. These tasty meatballs start with our pasture raised ground chicken, tons of fresh herbs like dill and mint, garlic, and zesty lemon. They're simply pan-fried then nestled into a warm bowl of lemon feta orzo, finished off with plenty of creamy tzatziki, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more herbs to garnish. Are you getting hungry yet?

*Fresh dill is the star of this dish, being featured in every component, so make sure you have plenty. I used 2 of those small herb packages from the grocery store. If you have dill growing in your garden, this is for you! 

INGREDIENTS

For the Meatballs –

• 1 Lb. 1915 Farm Pasture Raised Ground Chicken
• 1/4 fresh dill, finely minced 
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, finely minced
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup red onion, very finely minced (about half a small onion)
• 4 garlic cloves, grated or finely minced
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper

For the Tzatziki –

• 1.5 cups whole Greek yogurt 
• 1/2 cup grated cucumber (ideally the small Persian variety, about 2)
• 3 cloves of garlic, grated or finely minced
• 1/4 cup fresh dill, finely minced
• 1 Tbsp lemon from about 1 medium lemon

For the Lemon Feta Orzo – 

• 1 cup dry orzo pasta
• Kosher salt
• 1/4 cup olive oil (or butter, though less traditional ;)
• 1/4 cup fresh dill, finely minced
• Zest of 1/2 lemon
• Juice of 1 lemon (about 1 Tbsp)
• Feta cheese, as much as you'd like. The block in brine is far better than crumbles, but both will be fantastic. If using a block, crumble with a fork

For Serving – 

• Red onion, finely minced or thinly sliced
• Small tomatoes, like cherry or pearl, sliced in half lengthwise and salted
• Cucumber slices, salted
• Feta
• Fresh dill and fresh mint leaves for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep the Meatballs – Combine all ingredients for meatballs and gently combine using a fork. Prepare a small sheet pan or plate for the meatballs. Using oiled hands or a cookie scoop, make uniform sized balls and arrange on the sheet pan. Chill for 30 minutes – this is very important as it ensures the balls stay together when you cook them. 

Make the Tzatziki – Grate the cucumber and using a clean kitchen towel or thick cloth paper towel, squeeze out the liquid and discard. To a bowl, add the cucumbers and remaining ingredients for the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding another pinch of salt or squeeze of lemon as desired. Chill for at least 30 minutes (and feel free to make this a day in advance).

Cook the Meatballs – Place a skillet over medium heat, once hot, add a splash of olive oil and ensure the pan is evenly coated. Once heated through (adding meat to an insufficiently heated pan will result in sticking), carefully arrange one meatball at a time in the skillet, making sure to not move them once they touch the pan. Allow meatballs to cook for 4-5 minutes without moving them. When they're ready to flip, they will release from skillet very easily. Continue cooking on the other side until meatballs are nicely golden and have reached an internal temp of 165°F

Make the Lemon Feta Orzo – Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Season with 2 large pinches of kosher salt once boiling, and add 1 cup orzo pasta. Cook according to package directions. Once done, strain and return to pot. Add olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, dill, and all the crumbled feta your heart desires. Stir well to combine and cover to keep warm until ready to serve. 

To Serve – Make sure your tomatoes and cucumbers for serving are salted and have a few moments to sit before enjoying. This really brings out their natural flavors. Assembling in a low rimmed bowl, add a heaping scoop of orzo, followed by a few meatballs, a dollop of Tzatziki, tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion. Garnish with feta crumbles and fresh dill – let's dig in!

We hope you love this recipe! If you’d like to share your delicious dish on Instagram, don’t forget to tag us @1915_Farm

P.S. If you can't get enough of our pasture raised ground chicken – consider one of our new subscription boxes (ships free in TX, reduced in other states). Choose how often you would like your subscription box delivered, add extras when you want, and pause or cancel for free anytime. We'd love to have you join the Grassroots Meat Club!