Marry Me Chicken Meatballs
Marry Me Chicken Meatballs are a delicious and impressive dish featuring tender, juicy chicken meatballs simmered in a rich, creamy herb-infused sauce with sun-dried tomatoes. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this recipe combines comforting flavors with elegant flair, offering versatile serving options and easy preparation.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/4 cup finely minced onion
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour/gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free option)
Creamy Sauce Ingredients
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: Combine ground chicken, grated Parmesan, finely minced garlic and onion, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs in a large bowl. Mix gently but thoroughly to keep the meatballs tender and well-seasoned.
- Form and Cook the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into uniform meatballs, about one to one-and-a-half inches in diameter. Heat a skillet with olive oil over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides until golden but not fully cooked through.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir in chicken broth and let it reduce slightly. Slowly whisk in heavy cream and grated Parmesan until the sauce thickens to a luscious, velvety consistency.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet and gently coat them with the sauce. Simmer together for about 10 minutes, allowing the meatballs to finish cooking and soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil over the top and serve immediately with your favorite sides such as pasta, rice, or vegetables.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to avoid tough meatballs.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to form evenly sized meatballs for consistent cooking.
- Brown meatballs well to add flavor and seal in moisture before simmering.
- Use quality sun-dried tomatoes for the best sauce flavor.
- Simmer the sauce gently on low heat to prevent cream from curdling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: chicken meatballs, creamy sauce, marry me chicken, easy dinner, family-friendly, gluten-free option