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Marry Me Chicken Meatballs
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Marry Me Chicken Meatballs offer tender, juicy chicken meatballs in a rich, creamy Italian herb sauce with a hint of spice. Perfect for family dinners or impressing guests, this comforting dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or vegetables and can be easily customized for dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if preferred)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup heavy cream (substitute coconut or cashew cream for dairy-free)
- Fresh basil leaves, torn (about 1/4 cup)
- Olive oil, for browning the meatballs
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until incorporated without overmixing to keep meatballs tender.
- Shape and Brown the Meatballs: Form small, even meatballs about one inch in diameter using your hands or a scoop. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown meatballs on all sides until golden, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a plate once browned.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, crushed red pepper flakes, and heavy cream. Simmer gently to thicken the sauce slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 12-15 minutes to cook through and absorb flavors.
- Add Fresh Basil and Serve: Stir in torn fresh basil leaves just before serving for brightness and color. Serve warm with your favorite side.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to help bind better and cook evenly.
- Don’t skip browning the meatballs for added flavor and texture contrast.
- Simmer the sauce gently to avoid curdling and maintain silky texture.
- Test cook a single meatball before shaping the rest to ensure proper seasoning.
- Add fresh herbs at the end to preserve their vibrant flavor and color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Skillet stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg