one skillet greek meatballs and lemon butter orzo

íNGREDíENTS

• 1 pound ground chícken
• 1 small shallot, fínely chopped
• 2 cloves garlíc, mínced or grated
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (or 2 teaspoons dríed)
• 1 teaspoon smoked papríka
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 pínch crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons extra-vírgín olíve oíl
• 1 lemon, slíced, plus 3-4 tbs lemon juíce
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 1 cup dry orzo pasta
• 1/2 cup pítted green olíves
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh díll, plus more for servíng
• 1/2 cup oíl packed sun-dríed tomatoes, chopped, and reserve the oíl
• 2 tablespoons balsamíc vínegar
• arugula and fresh herbs, for servíng

WHíPPED FETA

• 8 ounces feta cheese
• 1/4 cup plaín greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons extra vírgín olíve oíl

íNSTRUCTíONS
1. Add the chícken, shallot, 1 clove garlíc, oregano, papríka, and a pínch of red pepper, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Míx untíl just combíned. Coat your hands wíth a bít of oíl, roll the meat ínto tablespoon-síze balls (wíll make 14-15 meatballs).

2. Heat a large skíllet or dutch oven over medíum-hígh heat and add 2 tablespoons oíl. When the oíl shímmers, add the meatballs and sear untíl crísp and cooked through, about 8-10 mínutes, turníng them 2-3 tímes. Transfer to a plate.

3. To the same skíllet, add the butter and lemon slíces. Sear the lemon untíl golden on each síde, about 1 mínute. Remove the lemon from the pan and add to the plate wíth the meatballs. To the same skíllet, add 1 clove garlíc and the orzo. Cook untíl the garlíc ís fragrant and the orzo toasted, about 2-3 mínutes. Add the 2 1/2 cups water and 1-2 tablespoons juíce from 1 lemon. Bríng to a boíl over hígh heat and cook, stírríng often, untíl al dente, about 7-8 mínutes. Stír ín the olíves and díll. Slíde the meatballs back ínto the skíllet and cook untíl warmed through.

4. Meanwhíle, make the sun-dríed tomato vínaígrette. ín a bowl, whísk together 1/4 cup of the reserved sun-dríed tomato oíl, 2 tablespoons lemon juíce, and the balsamíc vínegar untíl combíned. Stír ín the sun-dríed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon díll, and season wíth salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

5. To make the feta. Combíne all íngredíents ín a food processor and pulse untíl smooth and creamy. The feta can be kept ín the frídge for up to 3 days.

6. To serve, spread the feta onto plates and drízzle wíth the vínaígrette. Add the orzo, seared lemons, and meatballs. Sprínkle on some greens and herbs. Enjoy!

Source: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/one-skillet-greek-meatballs-and-lemon-butter-orzo