Description
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Meatballs combine tender ground chicken meatballs with a luscious sun-dried tomato and Parmesan cream sauce. This easy stovetop recipe is a flavorful and comforting main course perfect for weeknight dinners, served best over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs. Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
- Sear the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches and sear, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, approximately 6 to 8 minutes total. Once browned, transfer meatballs to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to loosen browned bits. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet and gently simmer in the sauce for 5 to 7 minutes until meatballs are fully cooked through and coated with the creamy sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley over the dish before serving. Serve the meatballs hot over your choice of pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes for a hearty and delicious meal.
Notes
- Ground turkey can be used as a substitute for ground chicken.
- Add spinach or mushrooms to the sauce for additional vegetables and flavor.
- To make ahead, cook meatballs and prepare sauce separately; combine and reheat before serving.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4–5 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
