These Marry Me Chicken Meatballs are love at first bite! Imagine tender and juicy chicken meatballs, swimming in a creamy tomato sauce with a hint of garlic and Parmesan cheese. It’s a simple yet elegant dish that’s perfect for a romantic dinner or a cozy night in. Get ready to fall head over heels for this flavorful and easy-to-make recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful and Romantic: This dish is packed with flavor and has a touch of elegance, making it perfect for a special occasion or a cozy night in.
- Quick and Easy: With just 15 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cook time, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Versatile: Serve it over mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these Marry Me Chicken Meatballs:
For the Meatballs:
- Ground chicken: For a lean and flavorful base.
- Dried Italian bread crumbs: For binding and texture.
- Egg: For binding and richness.
- Italian seasoning: Adds a classic Italian flavor.
- Minced garlic: For aromatic intensity.
- Onion powder: Enhances the overall flavor.
- Salt: To taste.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: For salty, cheesy goodness.
- Olive oil: For browning the meatballs.
For the Marry Me Sauce:
- Butter: For richness and flavor.
- Minced garlic: For aromatic intensity.
- All-purpose flour: For thickening the sauce.
- Chicken broth: Adds depth of flavor.
- Heavy cream: Creates a creamy and luscious sauce.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: For salty, cheesy goodness.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Drained, for a concentrated tomato flavor.
- Dried Italian seasoning: Adds a classic Italian flavor.
- Fresh basil: For garnish.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Meatballs
Step 1: Make the Meatballs
- In a medium-sized bowl, add the ground chicken, dried Italian bread crumbs, egg, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Using clean hands or a fork, mix until the ingredients are combined.
- Roll into 10 large meatballs or 18 small meatballs.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned and cooked throughout. Transfer to a plate while you prepare the sauce.
Step 2: Make the Marry Me Sauce
- Returning to the skillet, add the butter and melt over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the all-purpose flour and stir to make a paste.
- Whisk in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Stir in the drained sun-dried tomatoes and dried Italian seasoning. Season with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Heat the sauce for a few minutes until it starts to thicken.
Step 3: Combine and Serve
- Return the meatballs to the skillet and spoon the sauce on top. Turn the heat to medium-low, and continue to heat the meatballs and sauce together for about 5 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve over mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use High-Quality Ingredients: The better the quality of the ingredients, the better the flavor of the dish.
- Don’t Overcook the Meatballs: Overcooked meatballs will be dry and tough. Cook just until they are cooked through.
- Adjust the Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more chicken broth or cream. If it’s too thin, simmer for a few more minutes to reduce.
- Make it a Meal: Serve the meatballs and sauce over your favorite base, such as mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice.
How to Serve
- Main Course: These Marry Me Chicken Meatballs are a delicious and satisfying main course.
- Side Dishes: Serve them with mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, or a simple salad.
- Garnish: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for a touch of freshness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover meatballs and sauce in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat?
Yes, you can use ground beef, pork, or turkey instead of chicken.
Can I bake the meatballs instead of frying them?
Yes, you can bake the meatballs in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the meatballs and sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator and combine when ready to serve.
How can I make this dish spicier?
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a diced jalapeño, or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
PrintMarry Me Chicken Meatballs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Description
These Marry Me Chicken Meatballs are tender, juicy, and coated in a creamy, flavorful sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. They’re perfect served over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
- 1/2 cup dried Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
For the Marry Me Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Make the Meatballs: In a medium bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic, onion powder, salt, and Parmesan cheese. Mix with clean hands or a fork until well combined.
- Shape and Cook: Roll the mixture into 10 large or 18 small meatballs. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Whisk in the flour to form a paste.
- Add Liquids and Cheese: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream until the sauce is smooth. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
- Simmer and Thicken: Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook until thickened, stirring occasionally.
Combine and Serve: Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the meatballs are heated through. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve over your choice of mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture.
- If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, you can substitute with 1 (14.5-ounce) can of diced tomatoes.
- To make ahead, prepare the meatballs and sauce separately. Refrigerate the meatballs and sauce for up to 2 days, then combine and heat when ready to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 180mg