Marry Me Chicken Meatballs Recipe

This incredible Marry Me Chicken Meatballs recipe transforms classic comfort food into a dish so delicious it might just inspire a proposal! Tender chicken meatballs are simmered in a rich, creamy sauce infused with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 35 minutes, this dish brings restaurant-quality flavor to your dinner table with surprisingly little effort – perfect for impressing dinner guests or treating your family to something special on a weeknight.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Irresistible Flavor: The combination of savory chicken meatballs and creamy sun-dried tomato sauce creates a flavor profile that’s simply unforgettable.
• Quick to Make: Despite tasting like it took hours, you can have this impressive dish on the table in just 35 minutes.
• Versatile Serving Options: Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice for a complete meal that works for both casual dinners and special occasions.
• One-Pan Wonder: The entire dish comes together in a single skillet, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Meatballs:

• Ground chicken: The star protein that makes these meatballs tender and lighter than beef versions.
• Italian bread crumbs: Helps bind the meatballs while adding texture and Italian flavor.
• Egg: Acts as the crucial binder that holds your meatballs together during cooking.
• Italian seasoning: Infuses the meatballs with classic herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme.
• Garlic: Adds that essential punch of flavor that makes these meatballs irresistible.
• Onion powder: Provides savory depth without the texture of actual onions.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors – adjust to your preference.
• Parmesan cheese: Adds richness and a savory depth that elevates the meatballs.
• Olive oil: For browning the meatballs to golden perfection.

For the Marry Me Sauce:

• Butter: Creates a rich base for the sauce.
• Garlic: More garlic because, honestly, can you ever have enough?
• All-purpose flour: Works as a thickening agent for that perfect sauce consistency.
• Chicken broth: Forms the savory liquid base of your sauce.
• Heavy cream: Delivers that luxurious creaminess that makes the sauce so special.
• Parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce, adding wonderful richness and depth.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: The secret ingredient that gives this sauce its distinctive, slightly sweet tanginess.
• Italian seasoning: Complements the meatballs and ties the flavor profile together.
• Fresh basil: Adds bright color and a fresh aromatic finish to the dish.

Variations

Want to make this recipe your own? Here are some delicious ways to switch things up:

• Protein Swap: Try ground turkey instead of chicken for a slightly different flavor profile.
• Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a touch of heat.
• Veggie Boost: Mix finely chopped spinach into the meatballs or add sautéed mushrooms to the sauce.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
• Mediterranean Twist: Add kalamata olives and a pinch of oregano to the sauce for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs

In a medium bowl, combine ground chicken, bread crumbs, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and Parmesan cheese. Mix gently until just combined – overmixing can make your meatballs tough. Shape into 10 large or 18 small meatballs, depending on your preference.

Step 2: Cook the Meatballs

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until beautifully browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a plate while you prepare the sauce.

Step 3: Start the Sauce

Return the skillet to the heat and add butter. Once melted, add garlic and cook for just 30 seconds until fragrant – be careful not to burn it! Sprinkle in the flour and stir to create a paste (this is your roux), cooking for about a minute.

Step 4: Finish the Sauce

Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes until it begins to thicken to a silky consistency.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

Return the meatballs to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Reduce heat to medium-low and let everything simmer together for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Garnish with fresh basil before serving over your choice of pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Overmix: Handle the meatball mixture gently to keep them tender – overmixing can make them tough.
• Uniform Size: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to ensure your meatballs are all the same size, which helps them cook evenly.
• Brown in Batches: Don’t overcrowd your pan when browning meatballs – work in batches if needed to get that perfect sear.
• Sauce Thickness: If your sauce gets too thick, thin it with a splash of chicken broth. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a bit longer.
• Fresh Parmesan: Use freshly grated Parmesan rather than pre-packaged for the best flavor and melting quality.

How to Serve

This versatile dish pairs beautifully with several accompaniments:

Perfect Pairings:

• Serve over al dente pasta like fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti
• Spoon over creamy mashed potatoes for ultimate comfort food
• Present alongside fluffy white rice or garlic-herb rice
• Offer with crusty bread for soaking up that irresistible sauce

Side Dish Ideas:

• Simple green salad with balsamic vinaigrette
• Roasted asparagus or broccolini
• Garlic bread or dinner rolls
• Sautéed green beans with a touch of lemon

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious!

Freezing

These meatballs freeze beautifully! Freeze cooked meatballs and sauce separately for best results. Meatballs can be frozen for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing the sauce separately as cream-based sauces can sometimes separate when thawed.

For meal prep, you can also freeze the raw meatballs on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until heated through.

FAQs

Why are my chicken meatballs falling apart?
The most common reason for crumbling meatballs is not having enough binding agents. Make sure you’re using the full egg and breadcrumb amounts. Also, chicken meatballs are naturally more delicate than beef – handle them gently and don’t move them too much in the pan until they’ve developed a good crust.

Can I make this dish ahead for a dinner party?
Absolutely! In fact, the flavors develop nicely when made ahead. Prepare the entire dish up to a day before, refrigerate, and then gently reheat on the stovetop before serving. Add a splash of cream or broth if the sauce has thickened too much, and finish with fresh basil just before serving.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?
For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half, though the sauce won’t be quite as rich. For a dairy-free option, full-fat coconut milk works surprisingly well with the Italian flavors. Just make sure to use unsweetened coconut milk with no vanilla flavoring.

Why is it called “Marry Me” Chicken?
The dish earned its name because it’s supposedly so delicious that serving it might inspire a marriage proposal! The original “Marry Me Chicken” was a creamy sun-dried tomato chicken dish that became popular on social media. This meatball version captures those same irresistible flavors in a fun, new format.

Final Thoughts

These Marry Me Chicken Meatballs truly are special enough to inspire declarations of love! With their juicy texture and that creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce, they manage to be both comforting and impressive at the same time. Whether you’re cooking for a date night, family dinner, or just treating yourself to something delicious, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with home-cooked warmth. Give it a try – your taste buds (and perhaps your relationship status) might never be the same!

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