These Mediterranean Chicken Meatball Bowls are fresh, colorful, and packed with bold flavor. Juicy, herby chicken meatballs are served over fluffy grains with a mix of crisp vegetables, creamy hummus or tzatziki, and tangy feta. I love how this bowl brings together classic Mediterranean ingredients in a balanced, satisfying way—perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how these bowls check every box: flavorful, healthy, and easy to make. The chicken meatballs are seasoned with garlic, lemon, and herbs, then baked or pan-seared until golden. Paired with grains, fresh veggies, and a creamy sauce, every bite feels like a trip to the Mediterranean. It’s one of those meals that looks impressive but is actually super simple to pull together.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the chicken meatballs:
-
Ground chicken
-
Garlic, minced
-
Fresh parsley or dill, chopped
-
Lemon zest
-
Dried oregano
-
Egg
-
Breadcrumbs
-
Salt and pepper
-
Olive oil (for cooking)
For the bowls:
-
Cooked grains (like rice, quinoa, or couscous)
-
Cherry tomatoes, halved
-
Cucumber, diced
-
Red onion, thinly sliced
-
Kalamata olives (optional)
-
Crumbled feta cheese
-
Hummus or tzatziki
-
Lemon wedges
-
Fresh herbs for garnish
Directions
-
I preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat oil in a skillet if pan-searing.
-
In a bowl, I mix together ground chicken, garlic, herbs, lemon zest, egg, breadcrumbs, oregano, salt, and pepper.
-
I roll the mixture into small meatballs and either place them on a baking sheet to bake for 15–20 minutes, or cook them in a skillet over medium heat until golden and cooked through.
-
While the meatballs cook, I prep the grains and chop the veggies.
-
I assemble the bowls by layering the grains, vegetables, and meatballs. I add a scoop of hummus or tzatziki and sprinkle on feta and olives.
-
I garnish with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 4 servings. It takes around 20 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook, so it’s ready in about 40 minutes total.
Variations
Sometimes I swap chicken for turkey or lamb for a different twist. I also love using bulgur or farro as a grain base. For extra greens, I toss in spinach or arugula. If I want a dairy-free option, I skip the feta and use a tahini-based sauce instead of tzatziki.
Storage/reheating
I store the components separately in the fridge for up to 4 days. The meatballs reheat well in the microwave or on the stove. These bowls are great for meal prep—I just assemble them fresh when I’m ready to eat, so the veggies stay crisp.
FAQs
Can I freeze the chicken meatballs?
Yes, I freeze them after cooking. When I’m ready to eat, I thaw and reheat them in the oven or skillet until warmed through.
What’s the best grain to use?
I love using quinoa for extra protein, but rice, couscous, or orzo all work well. It really depends on what I’m craving.
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Definitely. I prep and cook them ahead, then reheat them when I’m assembling the bowls. It saves time during the week.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be—just use gluten-free breadcrumbs and choose a grain like rice or quinoa.
What sauce works best?
Both hummus and tzatziki are great choices. I sometimes use both, or add a drizzle of lemony tahini dressing for extra flavor.
Conclusion
Mediterranean Chicken Meatball Bowls are one of my favorite go-to meals when I want something fresh, filling, and full of flavor. With juicy, herbed meatballs and a variety of textures in every bite, it’s a bowl that’s both nourishing and exciting. Whether I’m making dinner for the family or prepping lunch for the week, this recipe always delivers.
Print
Mediterranean Chicken Meatball Bowls
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking or Pan-Searing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Halal
Description
Mediterranean Chicken Meatball Bowls are vibrant, wholesome meals featuring juicy herbed chicken meatballs served over grains with fresh vegetables, creamy hummus or tzatziki, tangy feta, and a squeeze of lemon. They’re perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
Ingredients
- For the chicken meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or dill, chopped
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
- For the bowls:
- 2 cups cooked grains (rice, quinoa, or couscous)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives (optional)
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup hummus or tzatziki
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Fresh herbs (parsley or dill), for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- In a bowl, combine ground chicken, garlic, parsley or dill, lemon zest, oregano, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper.
- Roll mixture into small meatballs and place on a baking sheet or cook in the skillet.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes or cook in the skillet, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, cook grains and prepare vegetables.
- Assemble bowls with a base of grains, then top with meatballs, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, feta, and a scoop of hummus or tzatziki.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground chicken with turkey or lamb for variation.
- Use bulgur, farro, or orzo as an alternative grain base.
- For dairy-free bowls, omit feta and use tahini sauce instead of tzatziki.
- Make meatballs ahead and store in the fridge or freezer for easy meal prep.
- Store all components separately to keep vegetables crisp when storing for later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
