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Greek Chicken Meatballs in Lemon Cream Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 89 reviews

These Greek Chicken Meatballs in Lemon Cream Sauce combine tender, flavorful chicken meatballs with a rich and tangy lemon cream sauce, enhanced by garlic, feta, olives, and herbs. Perfectly seared for a golden crust and simmered in a luscious sauce, this dish offers a delightful balance of Mediterranean-inspired flavors, served best alongside orzo, rice, or quinoa for a comforting and elegant meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ⅓ cup grated yellow onions
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano (increase if using fresh)
  • 1 ¼ pounds lean ground chicken
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

For Cooking and Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons salted cold butter, cubed (divided use)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups low sodium chicken stock
  • ½ cup green olives (or substitute ¼ cup capers)
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • ⅓ cup lemon juice
  • 2 egg yolks
  • ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a medium bowl, mix minced garlic, lemon zest, chopped parsley, panko breadcrumbs, grated onions, crumbled feta, egg, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until well combined using a fork. Gently fold in ground chicken without overworking to keep meatballs tender. Shape mixture into 24-28 evenly sized meatballs using a cookie scoop or tablespoon measure.
  2. Sear the Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of oil to prevent sticking. Working in batches, add meatballs without overcrowding and cook 5-7 minutes, turning regularly to achieve an even, golden-brown crust and cook through fully. Remove meatballs from skillet and set aside on a plate.
  3. Make the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic. Cook briefly for about 30 seconds, stirring to avoid burning. Sprinkle flour over butter and garlic; whisk continuously for 30 seconds to cook out the raw flour taste and form a roux.
  4. Add the Chicken Stock: Gradually pour in chicken stock while whisking to maintain a smooth consistency. Bring sauce to a simmer and cook for approximately 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Lower heat to minimum and keep warm.
  5. Temper the Egg Yolks: In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice and egg yolks until smooth. Slowly add 3 tablespoons of the warm sauce to the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to gently raise temperature and avoid curdling the yolks.
  6. Finish the Sauce: Return the tempered egg yolk mixture to the skillet with the sauce on low heat. Gradually increase heat to medium while stirring continuously for 4-6 minutes until sauce thickens to desired creamy consistency. Stir in freshly grated nutmeg and lemon zest. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  7. Incorporate Final Ingredients: Add remaining tablespoon of butter to the sauce and let it melt fully. Stir in green olives and return cooked meatballs to the skillet. Warm together for 1-2 minutes allowing flavors to meld harmoniously before serving.
  8. Serve: Plate the meatballs smothered in lemon cream sauce over buttered orzo, rice, or quinoa. For an extra treat, serve with fried bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Notes

  • Use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter texture in meatballs.
  • To prevent meatballs from becoming tough, mix ground chicken gently and only as much as needed.
  • Tempering the egg yolks is crucial to avoid scrambled eggs in the sauce.
  • If you prefer less salt, use low sodium chicken stock and adjust added salt accordingly.
  • Green olives can be substituted with capers for a different briny flavor.
  • This dish pairs beautifully with orzo, rice, quinoa, or crusty bread.

Keywords: Greek chicken meatballs, lemon cream sauce, feta cheese meatballs, Mediterranean chicken recipe, healthy chicken meatballs, stovetop meatballs, creamy lemon sauce, easy Greek dinner

Find it online: https://thedishspot.com/greek-chicken-meatballs-in-lemon-cream-sauce-recipe/