Description
A comforting one-pan dish featuring Greek-style meatballs, lemon butter orzo, and creamy whipped feta that’s perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (or 2 teaspoons dried)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- to taste kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
For the Orzo
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon sliced
- 3-4 tablespoons lemon juice (from a fresh lemon)
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup pitted green olives
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (reserve the oil)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
For the Whipped Feta
- 8 ounces feta cheese
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
For Serving
- arugula and fresh herbs for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- In a bowl, mix ground chicken, shallot, 1 clove garlic, oregano, paprika, and a pinch of crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper until just combined.
- Coat hands with oil and roll the mixture into tablespoon-sized meatballs (14-15 meatballs).
Cooking
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. When the oil shimmers, add meatballs and sear until crispy and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes, turning 2-3 times. Transfer to a plate.
- To the same skillet, add butter and lemon slices. Sear lemon until golden on each side, about 1 minute, then remove and add to the plate with meatballs.
- To the same skillet, add the remaining clove of garlic and the orzo. Cook until garlic is fragrant and orzo is toasted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add 2 1/2 cups of water and 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook, stirring often, until orzo is al dente, about 7-8 minutes.
- Stir in olives and dill. Return meatballs to skillet and warm through.
Dressing and Serving
- To make the sun-dried tomato vinaigrette, whisk together the reserved sun-dried tomato oil, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and dill, seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- To make the whipped feta, combine feta, Greek yogurt, and olive oil in a food processor and pulse until smooth and creamy.
- To serve, spread whipped feta on plates, drizzle with the vinaigrette, and add orzo, seared lemons, and meatballs. Top with arugula and fresh herbs.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days. You can freeze the cooked leftovers for up to 2 months. Reheat gently with a splash of water or lemon juice. Whipped feta can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: Greek