Greek Rooster Meatballs – The Almond Eater

January 23, 2023

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These 30-minute Greek Rooster Meatballs seize the essence of the Mediterranean in each chunk. They’re simple to make with floor hen, herbs, and almond flour, then baked till tender and scrumptious. Naturally gluten free and Whole30!

I like creating recipes for wholesome meatballs as a result of they arrive with limitless potentialities! My Italian Rooster Meatballs, as an illustration, are scrumptious on their very own or lined with marinara on prime of pasta whereas these Spicy Lamb Meatballs are a smoky Mediterranean favourite.

Talking of the Mediterranean, these Greek Rooster Meatballs seize the refreshing and indulgent flavors of the area in each chunk! They’re simple to make with pantry-staple components and bake within the oven for simply half-hour. Bonus: these wholesome hen meatballs additionally occur to be naturally gluten free, paleo, and Whole30!

Ultimately, you’re left with a batch of tender, juicy, and scrumptious Greek meatballs that pair properly with limitless Mediterranean recipes. Right here, they’re layered on prime of cauliflower rice bowls layered with greens and Whole30 tzatziki, however they’d additionally go properly as a protein on this Mediterranean Hummus Bowl. As I mentioned, the chances are limitless!

Recipe options

These meatballs are simple to make with minimal components and bake in lower than half-hour. The recipe makes 20 meatballs however you’ll be able to double or triple the quantity and freeze some for later.
The Mediterranean flavors in every meatball are all because of contemporary herbs, crimson onion, and easy dry spices.
Made with good-for-you, gluten free components which can be additionally Whole30 and paleo-compliant.

cauliflower rice topped with meatballs and vegetables like tomatoes and cucumber in a bowl

Components and substitutions

Floor hen – You need to use all-white floor hen or a 1:1 mixture of white and darkish meat for extra flavorful and juicy meatballs. Be at liberty to swap floor hen with one other lean floor meat, like turkey, pork, lamb, or a mix of various meats.

Almond flour – Almond flour is a superb substitution for breadcrumbs in gluten free and Whole30 meatball recipes. For the most effective outcomes, use finely floor almond flour, as almond meal tends to go away behind a gritty mouthfeel. You need to use almond meal if that’s all you have got at dwelling however I strongly recommend mixing it right into a wonderful, flour-like powder first.

Egg – To assist bind the meatballs collectively.

Mint and parsley – This duo of contemporary herbs brings an herbaceous and refreshing Mediterranean style to the meatballs. Be at liberty so as to add different contemporary herbs right here, like Greek oregano, basil, and dill.

Crimson onion – Or use shallots, white onion, or yellow onion as a substitute.

Dry spices – I stored it easy with garlic powder, oregano, cumin, and salt. Attempt to not deviate too removed from this record, though 4 to six grated garlic cloves as a substitute of garlic powder can be a scrumptious substitute.

Step-by-step directions

Step 1: Combine the meatball combination. Use clear arms to combine the bottom hen, almond flour, egg, and the remainder of the meatball components in a big bowl. Watch out to not overmix!

ground chicken, egg, flour, spices, and onion in a large glass bowl

Step 2: Roll into meatballs. Roll items of the combination into golf ball-sized meatballs, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Depart 1 inch in between every meatball.

Step 3: Bake. Bake till the meatballs are browned on the surface and cooked by way of the middle.

raw and baked chicken meatballs on a baking sheet

Step 4: Put together the Mediterranean bowls. Prepare dinner the rice, chop the veggies, and make the tzatziki sauce when you look ahead to the meatballs to prepare dinner.

Step 5: Assemble and serve. Plate the Mediterranean bowls with 4 to five baked hen meatballs on prime and luxuriate in!

Suggestions and FAQs

Earlier than forming the meatballs, prepare dinner a spoonful of the meat combination in a heated skillet and provides it a fast style. From there, you’ll be able to regulate the spices and seasonings if wanted.
Do your finest to not overwork the meatball combination. Mixing till the entire components have simply come collectively will all the time depart you with moist meatballs that don’t collapse.
The identical goes for while you kind the combination into meatballs. Gently cup and roll the meatball combination between your arms with out packing them too tightly.
Probably the most environment friendly option to examine that the hen meatballs are achieved baking is with a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer right into a meatball whereas it’s baking; you’ll comprehend it’s cooked by way of when the interior temperature reaches 165ºF.

How do you serve Greek hen meatballs?

For a tasty Whole30 possibility, serve the meatballs in bowls with riced cauliflower, zucchini noodles or spiralized candy potato, cucumber, tomatoes, crimson onion, and a beneficiant scoop of dairy free tzatziki.

In any other case, you can also make Mediterranean grain bowls with cooked brown rice, orzo, quinoa, or lentils. Add the Greek meatballs and crumbled feta on prime, then take pleasure in!

Can I pan-fry Greek meatballs as a substitute?

Sure! First, warmth avocado or olive oil in a big heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high warmth. Subsequent, add the rolled meatballs in a single layer and prepare dinner till they’re brown on all sides.

As soon as browned, add ½ cup of low-sodium hen broth to the skillet. Decrease the warmth, cowl, and gently simmer till the interior temperature reaches 165ºF.

Can I make these meatballs with out eggs?

I don’t advocate omitting the egg, because it helps the meatballs maintain collectively and preserve their form. When you’ve got an aversion to eggs, attempt substituting the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon of floor flax + 3 tablespoons of water).

a bowl of cauliflower rice topped with meatballs, sliced vegetables, lemon wedges, and tzatziki sauce with a spoon

Storage

Fridge: Retailer the leftover hen meatballs in a shallow hermetic container within the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Freezer: As soon as cooled to room temperature, set the meatballs on a baking sheet and place them within the freezer. As soon as frozen stable, switch them to a freezer-safe bag or container, and preserve them frozen for two to three months.

Extra wholesome meatball recipes

In the event you made this recipe, remember to depart a remark and star score beneath. Thanks!