Description
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Meatballs are tender ground chicken meatballs cooked in a luscious sun-dried tomato cream sauce, infused with herbs and Parmesan cheese. This skillet dinner is perfect for a comforting weeknight meal served over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For Browning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture. Form mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 6 to 8 minutes total. Transfer browned meatballs to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic for Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and stir in heavy cream, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add Parmesan and Meatballs: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, spooning some sauce over them.
- Simmer: Cover the skillet and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the meatballs if using. Serve warm over your choice of pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- For a richer and more flavorful meatball, use ground chicken thigh instead of breast.
- If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers make a delicious substitute in the sauce.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully and make for convenient meal prep options during the week.
