Marry Me Chicken Meatballs Recipe
Marry Me Chicken Meatballs feature tender ground chicken meatballs baked to perfection and simmered in a creamy, flavorful sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan. This comforting dish is finished with fresh basil and is perfect for an elegant yet easy weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 20 meatballs (serves 4-6) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust for spice preference)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, minced
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the meatballs and finishing the dish.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, panko breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into approximately 20 golf ball-sized meatballs, ensuring they are uniform for even cooking.
- Initial Bake: Place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes. They will be partially cooked but not fully done at this stage.
- Make Sauce: In a large oven-safe skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Stir in heavy cream, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, and 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan. Simmer the sauce for a few minutes until it thickens slightly. Season with salt to taste.
- Add Meatballs to Sauce: Gently add the partially baked meatballs into the skillet, tossing them to ensure they are well coated with the creamy sauce.
- Finish Baking: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F, confirming they are fully cooked.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven, sprinkle fresh basil over the dish and serve hot for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Using panko breadcrumbs helps keep the meatballs light and tender.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
- Ensure an oven-safe skillet is used for cooking the sauce and finishing the meatballs in the oven.
- Check meatball doneness with a meat thermometer to guarantee food safety.
- These meatballs pair beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
Keywords: chicken meatballs, creamy sauce, Marry Me chicken, baked meatballs, sun-dried tomatoes, easy dinner recipe
Find it online: https://todayquickmeals.com/marry-me-chicken-meatballs-recipe/
