Greek Chicken Meatballs and Lemony Spinach Orzo

Recipe adapted from The Tasteful Blonde. Makes about 3 servings.

Ingredients:

Chicken Meatballs:

• 1 lb. ground chicken
• 1/3 c. panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 c. crumbled feta
• 1/4 c. red onion, finely diced
• 1/4 c. mint, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 2 TBSP milk

Tzatziki:

• 2 mini cucumbers, grated
• 1 c. Greek yogurt
• 1 garlic clove, grated
• 2 TBSP fresh dill, chopped
• Zest of lemon
• Lemon, juiced
• 1 1/2 tsp. olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Lemony Spinach Orzo:

• 2 TBSP butter
• 1 lb. orzo
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 c. chicken broth + more if needed
• Lemon, juiced
• 6-8 oz. baby spinach
• 3/4 c. feta crumbled + more if desired
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Chicken Meatballs: In a bowl and all the meatball ingredients and mix to combine. Refrigerate until ready to roll meatballs (cold meat is easier to roll).
2. Tzatziki: Grate cucumber and place in a clean dish towel; fold up the sides of the dish towel and over the sink twist the towel to squeeze the liquid out of the cucumber. Add tzatziki ingredients to a bowl and mix to combine. Chill for at least 15 minutes or until ready to serve.
3. Cook Chicken Meatballs: Preheat oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take the meatball mixture our of the refrigerator and roll the meatballs and place on the baking sheet. Makes 16-18 meatballs. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until done.
4. Lemony Spinach Orzo: Heat the butter In a large skillet; once butter is melted, add the orzo and toast the orzo until golden, about 3-4 minutes. Then add the garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add the broth and bring to a boil; then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until all liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. If after 15 minutes orzo isn’t done, add 1/4 c. broth, cover, and simmer, adding more broth as necessary. Once orzo is done, add the lemon juice to the orzo and stir to combine, then add the spinach and stir until spinach is wilted. Add the crumbled feta and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning. Top with additional feta, if desired.