Chicken And Feta Meatballs With Crispy Chickpeas Recipe

Meatballs are one of the most versatile foods out there, though, for some reason, they get easily overlooked. Many people think that you can only enjoy meatballs alongside a heaping plate of spaghetti, and while spaghetti and meatballs may be an absolutely classic dish, you can veer outside of the pasta realm to find so many delicious and interesting dishes that call for meatballs. 

Take this chicken and feta meatballs recipe, for example. Recipe developer Jessica Case opts to serve these hearty chicken and feta meatballs over a fresh plate of arugula, along with some crispy chickpeas for textural contrast. Of course, because of the versatile nature of meatballs, you can enjoy these chicken meatballs and crispy chickpeas in just about any context, and the arugula isn't strictly necessary. 

"These meatballs make a fantastic party appetizer or can be served as a main course for a relaxed dinner that the whole family will enjoy," Case says. "The meatballs are filled with robust spices, the tangy, salty feta cheese, smooth, rich olive oil, bright lemon juice, and fresh mint that all work together." If that isn't a highly successful take on a classic dish, then we don't know what is.

For the crispy chickpeas portion of this dish, you'll need canned chickpeas, olive oil, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. For the chicken meatballs, you'll need ground chicken, feta cheese, fresh mint, parsley, breadcrumbs, plain yogurt (Greek will work well), dried oregano, coriander, red pepper flakes, and some more olive oil for brushing the pan. To serve, Case opts for a fresh bed of arugula and some fresh lemon juice to squeeze over top.

Get your oven preheating to 425 F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Meanwhile, spread your drained and washed chickpeas out onto a clean kitchen towel, then pat them dry, removing as much moisture as possible. Add the chickpeas to a medium-sized bowl along with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, cumin, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix until the chickpeas are evenly coated in the seasoning.

Transfer the seasoned chickpeas to the prepared baking sheet and pop them into the oven to bake for 20–25 minutes. Make sure to toss the chickpeas about halfway through baking to ensure an even crispiness and color. If you are the type who likes to plan ahead, Case notes that you can make the crispy chickpeas ahead of time, and finish up the rest of these meatballs the next day.

Now you can turn your attention to the meatballs. Start by combining a ½ cup of the feta, about half of the mint, the parsley, breadcrumbs, yogurt, oregano, coriander, red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. Add in the ground chicken and mix until just combined, taking care to not overmix. 

Grab your baking pan or sheet and brush the remaining olive oil over the surface to help ensure that the meatballs won't stick. Use a scooper or simply use your hands to form meatballs that are about 1½-inch thick. Place the ready-to-go meatballs on the oil-brushed baking pan and make sure to leave plenty of space in between each one. 

Bake the meatballs for 15–20 minutes or until they're no longer pink and the internal temperature reaches 165 F. Then, create a bed of arugula in a bowl and place a few meatballs on top, followed by the crispy chickpeas. For extra brightness, squeeze some lemon juice over top, drizzle on a bit of olive oil, and sprinkle on the remaining feta cheese and mint. 

In case you're not a big fan of arugula, note that you aren't limited to the green for serving. "You can serve this over couscous or zucchini noodles instead of arugula," Case says.