Mediterranean One-Pan Sesame Chicken Meatballs
Juicy chicken meatballs seasoned with herbs, garlic, and sesame, seared until golden and finished in a lemony, garlicky sauce with fresh Mediterranean touches. Everything cooks in one pan, making this dish easy, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinner.
⏱️ Time
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
500 g (1 lb) ground chicken
1 small onion, finely grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup breadcrumbs (or oat flour)
1 large egg
2 tbsp sesame seeds (lightly toasted if possible)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh dill or mint, finely chopped
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp paprika (sweet, not spicy)
Salt & black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
For the sauce:
3 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Juice of 1 lemon (plus extra wedges for serving)
½ cup chicken broth (or vegetale broth)
2 tbsp tahini (optional, for creaminess)
2 tbsp sesame seeds, for garnish
Fresh parsley or dill, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
1. Make the meatballs
In a bowl, combine ground chicken, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, sesame seeds, parsley, dill, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Mix gently (don’t overwork) and form into small meatballs (about 1 ½ inches).
2. Sear the meatballs
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add meatballs in batches, searing 3–4 minutes per side until golden (they don’t need to be fully cooked yet). Remove and set aside.
3. Make the sauce
In the same pan, add olive oil and sliced garlic. Cook until fragrant (1 minute).
Stir in broth, lemon juice, and optional tahini. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
4. Finish cooking
Return meatballs to the pan, cover, and simmer 10–12 minutes until fully cooked and sauce slightly thickened.
5. Serve
Sprinkle with extra sesame seeds and fresh parsley/dill.
Serve with warm pita, couscous, or a fresh salad.
Notes & Tips
For extra crunch: roll meatballs lightly in sesame seeds before searing.
Pair with a cucumber–tomato salad or roasted vegetables for a complete Mediterranean plate.
Add a spoonful of Greek yogurt or tzatziki on the side for creaminess.
Nutrition information
Calories: ~320
Protein: 24g
Carbs: 11g
Fat: 20g
Fiber: 2g