Description
Marry Me Chicken Meatballs are the kind of dish that feels like a love letter written in cream, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes. Tender chicken meatballs simmer in a velvety parmesan cream sauce kissed with Italian herbs and bright basil cozy enough for a weeknight, elegant enough for guests.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/3 cup bread crumbs (or panko)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 5 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped (reserve 1 tablespoon oil)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, julienned
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl gently combine ground chicken, bread crumbs, egg, parmesan, 2 cloves garlic, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper
- Form tablespoon-sized meatballs without packing tightly
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat
- Brown meatballs on all sides, then transfer to a plate and wipe skillet clean
- Add reserved sun-dried tomato oil to skillet over medium heat
- Stir in remaining garlic and cook until fragrant
- Add tomato paste and cook 1 minute
- Pour in chicken stock and scrape up browned bits
- Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in heavy cream, parmesan, remaining Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes
- Return meatballs and sun-dried tomatoes to skillet
- Simmer 10-15 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and sauce thickens
- Sprinkle with fresh basil and season with salt and pepper before serving
Notes
Mix meat gently to keep meatballs tender. Brown in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat gently with a splash of stock or cream to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 185mg
