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Spiced Chicken Meatball Bowls with Whipped Feta & Tzatziki Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 80 reviews

These Spiced Chicken Meatball Bowls with Whipped Feta & Tzatziki are a flavorful and satisfying meal combining tender, aromatic chicken meatballs baked to perfection, creamy whipped feta, and a fresh veggie medley. Enhanced with a vibrant homemade spice mix and served alongside cool tzatziki, this dish offers a delightful balance of savory, tangy, and fresh flavors that make it perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale

Spice Mix

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano

Meatballs

  • 1 tablespoon of the spice mix
  • ¼ cup chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • ½ to ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 lb ground chicken breast
  • Olive oil, for baking

Whipped Feta

  • 1 (8-oz) block cream cheese, softened
  • 8 oz feta cheese
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon of the spice mix
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Veggie Mixture

  • ⅓ cup pickled red onions
  • 1 cup cucumber slices
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • Parsley, chopped (for garnish and mixing)

To Serve

  • Tzatziki
  • Lemon wedges
  • Additional crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

  1. Make the Spice Mix: In a small bowl, whisk together kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, ground allspice, garlic powder, ground cloves, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, chili powder, and dried oregano until well combined. Set aside or store in an airtight container for future use.
  2. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the meatballs.
  3. Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of the prepared spice mix, chopped parsley, milk, ketchup, and Panko breadcrumbs. Taste this mixture and add more spice mix or a pinch of salt to achieve a slightly overseasoned flavor, as the chicken is yet to be incorporated.
  4. Combine Egg and Chicken: Stir in the egg and egg yolk, then fold in the ground chicken gently until everything is well combined but do not overmix to avoid a gummy texture. Add up to an additional ¼ cup of breadcrumbs if the mixture feels too moist to hold shape.
  5. Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into roughly 1-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
  6. Drizzle Olive Oil: Lightly drizzle olive oil over the meatballs to help with browning and crisping during baking.
  7. Bake Meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until golden and crisp on the bottom and cooked through in the center. Keep warm once done.
  8. Make Whipped Feta: While meatballs bake, pulse feta cheese in a food processor until finely broken up. Add softened cream cheese, minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon of spice mix, then blend until smooth and fluffy. Scrape down sides as needed.
  9. Incorporate Olive Oil: Stream in 1 tablespoon of olive oil while pulsing to incorporate, ensuring the whipped feta is creamy and cohesive. Refrigerate until ready to serve, bringing to room temperature before plating.
  10. Prepare Veggie Mixture: In a bowl, combine pickled red onions, cucumber slices, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss well to combine.
  11. Assemble Bowls: On each serving bowl or plate, spread approximately ⅓ cup of whipped feta. Top with the warm chicken meatballs, then spoon over the fresh veggie mixture.
  12. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle additional chopped parsley and crumbled feta cheese over the top. Serve with tzatziki and lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the meatballs and veggies.

Notes

  • Adjust breadcrumbs as needed to achieve meatball mixture that holds shape but is not too dry.
  • The spice mix can be doubled and stored airtight for future recipes.
  • Whipped feta can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator; bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
  • Use ground chicken breast for leaner meatballs; dark meat or mixed ground chicken can be used but may change moisture and flavor.
  • Feel free to swap pickled red onions for quick-pickled red onions if unavailable.
  • Tzatziki adds a refreshing, cool contrast but can be replaced with Greek yogurt and cucumber dip.
  • Make sure to not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.

Keywords: chicken meatballs, Mediterranean, baked meatballs, whipped feta, tzatziki, spiced chicken, healthy dinner, easy weeknight meal, fresh vegetables, spiced meatballs

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/spiced-chicken-meatball-bowls-with-whipped-feta-and-tzatziki-recipe/