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Herbed Chicken & Zucchini Meatballs with Spicy Feta Drizzle

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Pixicook editorial team

Flavorful chicken and zucchini meatballs with a spicy feta drizzle, perfect for a wholesome meal.

Ingredients for Herbed Chicken & Zucchini Meatballs with Spicy Feta Drizzle

units in
USchevron
serves
4 peoplechevron

Large Zucchini

each

Kosher Salt

to taste

Black Pepper

to taste

Panko

cups

Ground Cumin

teaspoons

Mint, chopped

tablespoons

Fresh Basil, chopped

tablespoons

Flat Leaf Parsley, chopped

tablespoons

Dill, chopped

tablespoons

Lemon Juice

tablespoons

How to Make Herbed Chicken & Zucchini Meatballs with Spicy Feta Drizzle

1. Prepare Zucchini

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Begin by slicing two of the zucchini into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Sprinkle the slices with salt and set them aside on a plate. This will help draw out excess moisture, ensuring they roast beautifully later.

2. Grate Zucchini and Shallot

Grate the remaining zucchini and half of the shallot using a box grater, letting the mixture fall into a large bowl. This grated combination will add moisture and flavor evenly throughout the meatballs.

3. Mix Meatball Ingredients

In the same bowl, add the panko, ground cumin, 0.5 teaspoons of red-pepper flakes, and 0.5 teaspoons of kosher salt. Using your hands, toss everything together until well combined. Next, add the ground chicken and your choice of fresh herbs, and gently mix everything until just incorporated.

4. Form and Roast Meatballs

Form the chicken mixture into approximately 16 meatballs, using about 2 to 3 tablespoons for each one. Place the meatballs on a lightly greased baking sheet, drizzle them with a bit of olive oil, and roast them in the oven for 10 minutes.

5. Prepare Zucchini Slices

While the meatballs are roasting, pat the zucchini slices dry with a paper towel, then coat them with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with black pepper. Coarsely chop the remaining shallot half and mix it with the lemon juice and a pinch of salt in a small bowl.

6. Roast Meatballs and Zucchini

After the meatballs have roasted for 10 minutes, add the zucchini slices to the baking sheet. Return to the oven and bake until the meatballs are cooked through and the zucchini is golden, about 15 to 20 minutes. For extra browning, you can broil them for the last few minutes.

7. Prepare Spicy Feta Drizzle

To prepare the spicy feta drizzle, crumble the feta into the shallot and lemon juice mixture. Add the remaining 0.25 cup of extra-virgin olive oil and the remaining 0.5 teaspoons of red-pepper flakes. Stir the mixture, breaking up the feta as you go, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

8. Serve

Serve the meatballs and zucchini hot, drizzled with the spicy feta sauce and garnished with more fresh herbs. Enjoy this flavorful and wholesome dish!

Variations

Mediterranean Twist

Swap the herbs in the meatballs for a combination of fresh mint, dill, and a touch of cinnamon. Use a mix of feta and ricotta for the drizzle, add a squeeze of lemon juice, garnish with chopped Kalamata olives and serve with warm pita bread.

Middle Eastern Scent

Add cumin, coriander, and a pinch of allspice to the meatballs. Combine the feta drizzle with harissa paste, serve with tabbouleh and drizzle with pomegranate molasses.

Moroccan Flavors

Season the meatballs with ras el hanout and chopped dried apricots. For the drizzle, combine feta with yogurt, honey, and toasted almonds, serve with couscous and fresh mint.

Italian Flair

Mix in sundried tomatoes and swap the herbs for Italian seasoning in the chicken meatballs. Blend the feta with roasted red peppers and balsamic glaze, serve atop arugula and garnish with toasted pine nuts.

Mexican Zest

Mix in chopped jalapeños and cilantro into the chicken meatballs. Blend feta with avocado, lime juice, and chipotle, serve with black bean salad and garnish with tomato and lime.

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