Best 3 Spanakopita Chicken Meatballs With Spicy Cucumber Yogurt Sauce Recipes

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Craving a delightful fusion of Greek and Middle Eastern flavors? Look no further than our recipe for spanakopita chicken meatballs with a tantalizing spicy cucumber yogurt sauce. This dish marries the vibrant flavors of Mediterranean cuisine, offering an explosion of textures and taste that will leave your palate dancing. Tender chicken meatballs are enveloped in a savory filling of spinach, feta cheese, and fragrant herbs, capturing the essence of traditional spanakopita. Paired with a refreshing and slightly spicy cucumber yogurt sauce, this dish creates a harmonious balance between tangy, cooling, and aromatic elements. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of Greece and the Middle East.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SPANAKOPITA CHICKEN MEATBALLS WITH SPICY CUCUMBER YOGURT SAUCE



SPANAKOPITA CHICKEN MEATBALLS WITH SPICY CUCUMBER YOGURT SAUCE image

Categories     Chicken

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 10-ounce boxes frozen chopped spinach, defrosted
¾ cup crumbled feta cheese I used a 4 oz container of feta
1 pound ground chicken
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped DIVIDED
1 tablespoon grill seasoning, such as McCormick's Montreal Steak Seasoning
Extra virgin olive oil, for liberal drizzling I left this out and coated them with cooking spray
1 ½ cups Greek-style plain yogurt
1/3 seedless cucumber, peeled and chopped
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill I used dried dill
½ tablespoon ground cumin I omitted this
½ tablespoon ground coriander
Juice of ½ lemon
Salt

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Wring out the spinach completely dry. Separate the spinach as you add it to the mixing bowl. Add the feta, chicken, onion, two thirds of the chopped garlic, the grill seasoning and a liberal drizzle of olive oil to the bowl. Mix the meat with the veggies and feta and form 18 1 ½-inch meatballs. Place the meatballs on a rimmed non-stick baking sheet and bake them for 10 to 12 minutes until they are golden and the juices run clear. While the meatballs bake, place the yogurt, remaining chopped garlic, the cucumbers, dill, cumin, coriander, lemon juice and a little salt in a food processor and process until smooth. Adjust the seasonings and transfer sauce to a serving bowl. Serve the meatballs with a bowl of the sauce and toothpicks for dipping.

SPANAKOPITA MEATBALLS WITH GREEK YOGURT SAUCE



Spanakopita Meatballs With Greek Yogurt Sauce image

My twist on a Rachel Ray recipe. If you can't find Greek yogurt, you could use a combination of sour cream and mayo. Fresh mint is a nice variation to the sauce. This recipe originally called for ground chicken.

Provided by KPD123

Categories     Meat

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 small red onion, finely chopped, divided
4 garlic cloves, chopped, divided
5 ounces frozen chopped spinach (defrost and squeeze out moisture)
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground lamb
1 tablespoon grill seasoning (recommended ( McCormick Montreal Seasoning)
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt
1/3 seedless cucumber, peeled and chopped
3 tablespoons fresh dill or 3 tablespoons of fresh mint, chopped
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 teaspoon oregano, dried
salt, to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • In a bowl combine 3 cloves of garlic and all of red onion EXCEPT 2 tablespoons, reserve 1 garlic clove and onion for yogurt sauce.
  • Squeeze the water out of the spinach until completely dry. Separate the spinach as you add it to garlic and onion.
  • Add feta, egg, breadcrumbs, ground beef, lamb and grill seasoning to the bowl. Mix and combine well.
  • Form mixture into 1 1/2-inch, bite-sized meatballs. Place the meatballs on a nonstick cookie sheet. ***At this point you could refrigerate until ready to bake.
  • Bake meatballs at 375 degrees for 20 minutes until they are cooked through.
  • To make the sauce, place yogurt, 1 garlic clove, 2 Tablespoons onion, cucumber, dill, lemon juice, oregano and a little salt in food processor and process until smooth. Adjust seasonings to taste and transfer to a serving bowl. Serve meatballs alongside sauce with toothpicks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 460.7, Fat 33, SaturatedFat 14.3, Cholesterol 151.6, Sodium 562.9, Carbohydrate 12.1, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 3.2, Protein 28.5

SPICY MEATBALLS WITH CHICKPEAS



Spicy Meatballs With Chickpeas image

Meatballs are the ultimate comfort food, and these are especially nice, perfumed with cumin, coriander and cinnamon. (Feel free to use ground beef, pork or turkey if ground lamb isn't available.) They may be prepared several hours or up to 2 days in advance - they reheat beautifully. Make the tomato gravy as piquant as you like, adding a good pinch of cayenne if you wish. The optional saffron adds a floral note. If you have the time, cook your chickpeas from scratch (it's best to soak them for at least a few hours or overnight). They'll cook in less than an hour. One pound dried chickpeas will yield about 6 cups cooked.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     dinner, meatballs, main course

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 servings (about 30 meatballs)

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 1/2 pounds ground lamb (or substitute ground beef, pork or turkey)
1/2 cup raw arborio rice or any white rice, rinsed and drained
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon toasted ground cumin
1 teaspoon toasted ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup finely diced onion
3 garlic cloves, grated or minced
Extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup finely diced onion
Kosher salt
Pinch of saffron, crumbled, steeped in 1/4 cup warm water (optional)
1 teaspoon toasted ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, or to taste
1 (2-inch) cinnamon stick
1 (28-ounce) can plum tomatoes with their juices
1 cup chicken or beef broth (or chickpea cooking liquid)
6 cups cooked chickpeas
1/2 cup chopped parsley, cilantro or a combination

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground lamb, raw rice, salt, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, onion and garlic. Knead mixture well.
  • Coat a sheet pan or roasting pan lightly with olive oil. With wet hands, form mixture into 1-ounce meatballs and arrange in one layer on pan. Bake, uncovered, for about 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove and let cool slightly.
  • Meanwhile, make the gravy: Place a wide heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil. When oil is hot, add onion, sprinkle lightly with salt and cook, stirring until softened and just beginning to brown, about 10 minutes.
  • Add saffron with soaking water, cumin, red-pepper flakes and cinnamon stick. Crush tomatoes with your hands, and add to pot, along with all tomato juices. Raise heat to medium-high, add broth and bring to a simmer. Taste and add more salt or red-pepper flakes as needed. Carefully add meatballs and adjust heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 30 minutes.
  • Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add chickpeas and a splash of water and heat through. Season to taste with salt. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or cilantro. Serve each diner 5 or 6 meatballs and plenty of gravy. Add a large spoonful of chickpeas on the side.

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and prevent any scrambling later on.
  • Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ingredients will give your dishes the best flavor. If possible, try to use organic or locally-sourced ingredients.
  • Season to Taste: Don't be afraid to taste your food as you cook and adjust the seasonings accordingly. This is the best way to ensure that your dish is perfectly seasoned.
  • Don't Overcrowd the Pan: When cooking, make sure to not overcrowd the pan. This will prevent the food from cooking evenly and will make it more likely to stick.
  • Let the Meat Rest: After cooking meat, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful.

Conclusion:

These recipes are a great way to add some variety to your meal planning. They are all easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With a little bit of effort, you can create delicious and satisfying meals that the whole family will enjoy. So get creative and have fun in the kitchen!

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