The Best Greek Meatballs Orzo That’ll Change Your Dinner Game

You know that feeling when you bite into something so good it makes you close your eyes for a second? That’s what happened to me the first time I tried greek meatballs orzo. My neighbor Maria brought over a big bowl after I helped her move some furniture, and honestly, I thought it was just going to be another pasta dish. Boy, was I wrong.

This isn’t your regular spaghetti and meatballs. We’re talking about tender chicken meatballs mixed with rice-shaped pasta that soaks up all these amazing Mediterranean flavors. The whole thing comes together in one pot, which means less cleanup for you (you’re welcome).

I’ve been making this greek meatballs orzo for two years now, and it’s become my go-to recipe when I want something that tastes fancy but doesn’t require a culinary degree to pull off.

Why Greek Meatballs Orzo Will Become Your New Favorite

This dish hits all the right notes without breaking a sweat.

Let’s be real here – most of us want food that tastes amazing but doesn’t take all day to make. This greek meatballs orzo recipe checks every box. You get protein from the chicken meatballs, carbs from the orzo, and vegetables all cooked together in about 35 minutes.

What Makes These Meatballs So Different?

The secret isn’t some complicated technique. It’s actually pretty simple. We’re using ground chicken instead of beef, which makes them lighter. Then we add feta cheese right into the meat mixture. Yeah, you heard that right – cheese inside the meatballs. This keeps them super moist and adds that tangy Greek flavor.

I remember the first time I tried making greek chicken meatballs with regular ground beef. They were good, but something was missing. The chicken just works better with all the Mediterranean herbs and that bright lemon flavor we’re adding.

Why Orzo is the Perfect Match

You might be wondering why we’re not using regular pasta. Here’s the thing about orzo – it looks like rice but acts like pasta. It absorbs flavors like crazy, which means every bite tastes like the herbs and spices we’re cooking with. When you make a greek meatball bowl with regular pasta, the pasta just sits there. With orzo, it becomes part of the flavor team.

This technique works great in other dishes too, like our mediterranean shrimp bowl where the grains really soak up all those good flavors.

Greek meatballs orzo

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

• Author: Ines Zahraoui
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

 

Greek meatballs orzo is A one-pot Mediterranean masterpiece featuring tender baked chicken meatballs nestled in herb-infused orzo pasta with olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese.

---

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

1 lb ground chicken

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

1 large egg

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 small onion, finely diced

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1 tbsp fresh oregano (or 1 tsp dried)

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp lemon zest

For the Orzo:

1 1/2 cups orzo pasta

3 cups chicken broth

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

1 bell pepper, diced

1/2 red onion, sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted

1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1/4 cup fresh feta cheese, crumbled

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

Step 1: Mix the Meatball Ingredients Put all your meatball stuff in a big bowl. Here’s the key – mix it with your hands, but don’t go crazy with it. Just until everything comes together. If you squeeze and knead too much, your baked greek chicken meatballs will turn out tough.

Roll them into balls about the size of a ping pong ball. You should get around 20-24 meatballs.

Step 2: Bake Those Beauties Heat your oven to 400°F. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.. Bake for 15 minutes until they’re golden brown.

While they’re cooking, start on the orzo. This timing works perfectly – no waiting around. It’s similar to how we prep ingredients for our orzo pesto pasta salad – everything happens at once.

Step 3: Build Your Flavor Base Heat olive oil in a big skillet or pot. Toss in the red onion and bell pepper. Cook them for about 5-6 minutes until they start getting soft. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Your kitchen should smell amazing right now.

Step 4: Toast the Orzo Add your orzo to the veggie mixture and stir it around for 2-3 minutes. This toasting step makes the orzo taste nutty and gives the whole dish more depth. Add the diced tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper after you’ve slowly poured in the chicken broth.

Step 5: Final Assembly Gently mix in your baked meatballs, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook everything together for 3-4 more minutes so the flavors can get to know each other. Take it off the heat and stir in the lemon juice and half the feta.

The greek meatballs orzo should look creamy but not soupy. If it’s too thick, add a bit more broth. If it’s too thin, let it simmer without the lid for a few minutes.

Notes

• Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender
• Toast the orzo for extra flavor depth
• Adjust liquid as needed during cooking
• Fresh herbs make a significant difference
• Can be made ahead for meal prep

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Mediterranean Dinner Recipes
• Method: Baking and Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 420 kcal
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 680mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 85mg

Everything You Need for Perfect Greek Meatballs Orzo

For the Meatballs:

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh oregano (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp lemon zest

For the Orzo:

• 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Greek Meatballs Orzo Like a Pro

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

The Secret to Tender Meatballs Every Time

Don’t overthink it – gentle hands make the best meatballs.

Step 1: Mix the Meatball Ingredients Put all your meatball stuff in a big bowl. Here’s the key – mix it with your hands, but don’t go crazy with it. Just until everything comes together. If you squeeze and knead too much, your baked greek chicken meatballs will turn out tough.

Roll them into balls about the size of a ping pong ball. You should get around 20-24 meatballs.

The Foolproof Cooking Method for Greek Meatballs Orzo

Baking beats frying every single time.

Step 2: Bake Those Beauties Heat your oven to 400°F. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.. Bake for 15 minutes until they’re golden brown.

While they’re cooking, start on the orzo. This timing works perfectly – no waiting around. It’s similar to how we prep ingredients for our orzo pesto pasta salad – everything happens at once.

Step 3: Build Your Flavor Base Heat olive oil in a big skillet or pot. Toss in the red onion and bell pepper. Cook them for about 5-6 minutes until they start getting soft. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Your kitchen should smell amazing right now.

Step 4: Toast the Orzo Add your orzo to the veggie mixture and stir it around for 2-3 minutes. This toasting step makes the orzo taste nutty and gives the whole dish more depth. Add the diced tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper after you’ve slowly poured in the chicken broth.

Bring it to a bubble, then turn the heat down low. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring every so often. Cook the orzo until it’s tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.

Bringing It All Together to Make The Greek Meatballs Orzo Dish

This is where the magic happens.

Step 5: Final Assembly Gently mix in your baked meatballs, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook everything together for 3-4 more minutes so the flavors can get to know each other. Take it off the heat and stir in the lemon juice and half the feta.

The greek meatballs orzo should look creamy but not soupy. If it’s too thick, add a bit more broth. If it’s too thin, let it simmer without the lid for a few minutes.

Make Greek Meatballs Orzo Your Own Way

Adding More Veggies I love throwing in some zucchini or cherry tomatoes during the last few minutes. My kids go crazy for the cherry tomato version – the sweetness balances out the salty feta perfectly. You can really use whatever vegetables you have hanging around.

Can You Make Greek Meatballs Orzo Without Meat?

Absolutely! Here’s how to make it work.

Swap the meatballs for chickpeas or white beans. You could even make veggie patties using the same seasonings from our crustless spinach and feta quiche recipe. The cooking method stays exactly the same.

Other Protein Ideas:

• Ground turkey with Greek seasonings
• Lamb meatballs for that authentic Greek taste
• Plant-based meatballs for vegetarians
• Chunks of grilled chicken

What If You Can’t Find Orzo?

Don’t stress about it. Small shell pasta, ditalini, or even broken up spaghetti works fine. The important thing is picking something small that can soak up all those flavors. We use this same approach in our caprese pasta salad orzo recipes.

Smart Storage and Meal Prep Tricks For Your Greek Meatballs Orzo

Keeping Leftovers Fresh: This greek meatballs orzo keeps really well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just put it in containers with tight lids. Don’t worry if the orzo soaks up more liquid as it sits – that’s totally normal.

The Best Way to Reheat Greek Meatballs Orzo

When Reheating Greek Meatballs Orzo Skip the microwave if you can.

The stovetop is your best bet. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to bring back the moisture. The microwave works if you’re in a hurry, but it can make the orzo a bit dry.

Meal Prep Like a Boss: I make a double batch every Sunday and split it into containers for the week. It actually tastes better the next day because all the flavors have time to really come together. This works great with other meal prep dishes like our mediterranean breakfast bowl recipes.

Greek Meatballs Orzo Freezing Tips That Actually Work

The meatballs freeze great on their own, but I don’t recommend freezing the whole dish. The orzo gets mushy when you thaw it. A better option is to freeze the cooked meatballs and then make fresh orzo each time you want to have a meal.

Your Most Asked Questions About Greek Meatballs Orzo

Nutrition Information : What You’re Actually Eating

Let’s talk about what’s in this dish and why it’s good for you.

This greek meatballs orzo serves 4-6 people and gives you a really balanced meal. Each serving has about 420 calories, which is pretty reasonable for a dinner that fills you up.

Breaking Down the Health Benefits Of Greek Meatballs Orzo

The chicken meatballs are packed with protein, offering 28 grams per serving. That’s more than half of what most people need in a day. The orzo gives you complex carbs for energy, and the olive oil and feta provide healthy fats that help you feel satisfied.

Complete Nutritional Breakdown

Per Serving (based on 6 servings):

This nutritional profile makes it perfect for people following Mediterranean diet principles. It’s way lighter than most pasta dishes but just as filling.

Final Thoughts About Greek Meatballs Orzo: Why It Works Every Time

This has become my family’s most-requested dinner for good reason.

After making this greek meatballs orzo hundreds of times, I can tell you it never gets old. There’s something about the way the flavors come together that just works. It’s comfort food that doesn’t make you feel guilty afterward.

What Makes This Recipe Special

The best part about Greek Meatballs Orzo is how forgiving it is. Last month when my vegetarian friends came over, I swapped the chicken meatballs for seasoned chickpea patties. Everyone loved it. The base recipe is flexible enough to work with whatever dietary needs you have while still tasting authentically Mediterranean.

I love watching my family dig into this meal. There’s always this moment of quiet when everyone takes their first bite – you know you’ve hit it right when that happens. The baked greek chicken meatballs soak up all the herb flavors while adding their own lemony, tangy notes to every forkful.

Why You Should Try Greek Meatballs Orzo Tonight

This recipe has taught me that the best meals don’t need to be complicated. “Often, the most satisfying results come from the simplest combinations. It’s the kind of food that works for a regular Tuesday night or when you have company over.

Whether you’re new to Mediterranean cooking or you’ve been making ground chicken greek meatballs for years, this dish offers something special. It’s approachable enough for beginners but tasty enough to impress people who know good food.

Take Action: Make This Your Own

Ready to try the best greek meatballs orzo you’ve ever had?

Start Cooking This Week!

Don’t wait for a special occasion to make this. It’s perfect for any night when you want something delicious without a lot of fuss. The ingredients are easy to find, and the technique is simple enough for anyone to master.

Share Your Greek Meatballs Orzo Results

After you make this greek meatball bowl, I’d love to know how it turned out for you. Did you add extra vegetables? Try a different protein? Your tweaks might help other people make it even better.

The coolest thing about recipes like this is how they change based on who’s making them. Every kitchen adds something different. Our enlightened mediterranean chicken bowl community has shown me that the best recipes are the ones that inspire people to make them their own.

So grab your ingredients, heat up that oven, and get ready for a dinner that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. This greek meatballs orzo isn’t just another meal – it’s the kind of food that turns a regular evening into something worth remembering.