The Proposal Tender Marry Me Chicken Meatballs in a Silky SunDried Tomato Cream Sauce

Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

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Preparation time:25 Mins

Cooking time:35 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Ground Chicken (preferably thigh meat)
• 1/2 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (for meatballs)
• 1 large Egg, lightly beaten
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp Fresh Parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tsp Dried Italian Seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Oil, drained
• 1 medium Shallot, finely minced
• 1 cup Chicken Broth (low sodium)
• 3/4 cup Heavy Cream (35% fat)
• 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (for finishing sauce)
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• Pinch Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
• 1 Tbsp Fresh Basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

• Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, gently combine ground chicken, panko, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Do not overmix.
• Form Meatballs: Lightly dampen hands and form the mixture into uniform 1.5-inch (4 cm) balls. Set aside on a plate.
• Sear Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning gently until they have a nice crust on all sides. Remove and set aside.
• Sauté Aromatics: Lower the heat to medium. Add minced shallot to the residual fat in the pan and sauté until softened (about 3 minutes). Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and garlic powder.
• Deglaze & Build Sauce Base: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits (the fond) from the bottom of the pan.
• Simmer Meatballs: Carefully return the seared meatballs to the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15–18 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
• Finish the Sauce: Uncover. Stir in the heavy cream and the finishing Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer gently, uncovered, for 3–5 minutes until it has thickened slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Serve: Garnish generously with fresh basil and serve immediately over pasta or zucchini noodles.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:3081 kcal

Protein:38.3 g

Fat:71.6 g

Carbs:107.8 g

Fiber:22.9 g

Sugar:0.0 g

Sodium:1348 mg

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:American Italian

Why These 'Marry Me Chicken Meatballs' Deserve an Engagement Ring

When you hear the phrase "Marry Me Chicken," your mind likely conjures images of tender chicken breasts bathing in a luscious, creamy sauce infused with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan. It’s the epitome of romantic, elevated comfort food. But what if you could capture that entire, deeply satisfying flavour profile in a single, perfectly formed, bite-sized package? That’s exactly what we’ve achieved with this Marry Me Chicken Meatballs Recipe . These are not your grandmother's dry, dense meatballs; these are tender orbs infused with Parmesan and herbs, swimming in their iconic sauce. They are sophisticated enough for a truly special occasion, yet so straightforward that assembling them becomes an absolute pleasure rather than a chore. This dish redefines Romantic Dinner Recipes With Meatballs , proving that elegance doesn't have to mean complexity.

The Flavor Fusion: Capturing the Iconic Cream Sauce in a Bite

The magic of this preparation lies in translation. We are deconstructing the beloved chicken dish and rebuilding the flavour essence directly into the ground chicken mixture itself. This ensures that every single bite delivers that signature burst of savoury, tangy, and rich flavour, even before it meets the sauce.

Elevating Weeknight Dinners to Culinary Celebrations

While the final result tastes like something pulled from a high-end Italian bistro, the process for creating these Easy Marry Me Chicken Meatballs is surprisingly quick—clocking in at about an hour total cooking time. This accessibility means you can elevate a simple Tuesday night into a culinary celebration without spending hours chained to the stove. Forget complicated layering; this is streamlined flavour construction designed for maximum impact with minimal fuss.

What Makes This Meatball Recipe Unforgettable?

The secret weapon here is using ground chicken, often leaning toward the darker thigh meat for superior moisture retention. We bind them lightly with Panko breadcrumbs and supplement the flavour profile inside the meatball with Parmesan and fresh herbs. This preparation ensures that the final product is juicy, never chalky, and perfectly seasoned from edge to centre.

Meet the Star: Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Parmesan Perfection

The core identity of Marry Me Chicken rests squarely on two ingredients: intensely flavourful sun-dried tomatoes and nutty, sharp Parmesan cheese. In these meatballs, the Parmesan is folded directly into the mix. For the sauce, we sauté finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes until they release their concentrated sweetness and tang, forming the aromatic bedrock upon which the velvety cream is built. It’s a powerful, complementary flavour pairing.

Assembling the Components for Supreme Meatball Success

To create meatballs worthy of their namesake, you need quality components, both for the interior mixture and the luxurious surrounding sauce. We aim for a texture that is light, moist, and capable of holding its shape perfectly during searing and simmering.

Essential Components for the Perfect Chicken Meatball Mix

For the internal structure of your Healthy Marry Me Chicken Meatballs , we start with 1 pound of ground chicken. To prevent dryness, avoid over-mixing; we want minimal handling. Essential binders include one lightly beaten egg and 1/2 cup of Panko breadcrumbs, which offer a lighter texture than standard breadcrumbs. Flavour is introduced via two finely minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning, 1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan, and a generous hit of salt and pepper. These elements merge to create a mixture that is both tender and bursting with Italian seasoning nuances.

The Liquid Gold: Dairy and Broth Requirements

The sauce relies on a foundational liquid structure to achieve its silky consistency. You will need 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth to deglaze the pan and provide the simmering liquid that cooks the meatballs through. This is then enriched by 3/4 cup of heavy cream (35% fat content is recommended for the best mouthfeel). A final addition of 1/4 cup of Parmesan melts into the cream, adding necessary salinity and thickening power.

Tools of the Trade: Necessary Kitchen Equipment

You don't need specialized gear for this; a large mixing bowl, a sturdy cutting board, and a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven are your primary requirements. The skillet is crucial because it needs to accommodate browning the meatballs in batches and then holding them submerged in the final sauce without spillage. Tongs are indispensable for gently turning the meatballs during the searing process.

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Crafting and Searing Your Tender Chicken Meatballs

The technique used for shaping and cooking the meatballs dictates their final texture. We prioritize gentle handling and a quick sear to lock in juices before they fully cook in the sauce.

Step-by-Step Guide to Forming Flavourful Meatballs

After gently combining all meatball ingredients in your bowl—remembering the cardinal rule: do not overwork the mixture —lightly dampen your hands. This prevents the sticky chicken mixture from adhering excessively to your palms. Roll the mixture into uniform balls, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Uniformity is important so they all cook evenly during the next stage. Place the formed orbs on a clean plate while you prepare the skillet.

Achieving the Ideal Golden Sear on the Chicken

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat. It’s vital that the oil is hot before the meatballs enter the pan; this ensures a beautiful crust forms quickly. Working in batches so you don't overcrowd the pan (which causes steaming instead of searing), place the meatballs gently into the hot oil. Allow them to brown deeply on one side before carefully turning them with tongs to achieve a golden crust on all remaining surfaces. They do not need to be cooked through at this stage; we are merely building external flavour and structure. Once seared, temporarily remove them to a clean plate.

Building the Velvety 'Marry Me' Sauce Base

With the meatballs prepared, the focus shifts entirely to crafting that incomparable sauce right in the same pan where the meatballs seared—that residual browned fond is pure, unadulterated flavour.

Simmering Secrets: Infusing Flavour into the Cream Reduction

After the initial sear, reduce the heat to medium. Add your finely minced shallot to the residual fat and sauté until translucent, about three minutes. Next, stir in your chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, allowing their fragrance to bloom for about a minute. Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to vigorously scrape up all those delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan—this is called deglazing, and it is non-negotiable for deep flavour. Bring this mixture to a simmer. Now, gently nestle the seared meatballs back into the simmering broth. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let this mixture simmer gently for 15 to 18 minutes, allowing the chicken to finish cooking gently within the moisture.

Final Marriage: Combining Meatballs and Sauce

Once the meatballs are cooked through (check one if you are unsure), it’s time for the final commitment. Uncover the pan and stir in the heavy cream. Allow the sauce to maintain a gentle simmer for another 3 to 5 minutes until it begins to coat the back of a spoon lightly. Finally, stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh basil for a final aromatic flourish. These Chicken Meatballs and Sauce are now ready for their grand entrance.

Serving Suggestions: Perfect Pairings for Your Meatballs

Figuring out What Goes With Chicken Meatballs in this creamy, rich sauce is half the fun. Because the sauce is so decadent, you need a vehicle to soak it all up or a fresh counterpoint to balance the richness.

Beyond Risoni: Alternative Starch Companions

While creamy Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Orzo is a fantastic textural pairing—the small rice-shaped pasta blending beautifully into the sauce—many starches work wonderfully. Try serving these over perfectly cooked Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Pasta like wide egg noodles or fettuccine, which cradle the sauce beautifully. For a lighter, less traditional approach, spoon them over creamy polenta or fluffy white rice.

Creative Twists: Spice and Herb Variations

To adapt this dish, consider adding herbs directly to the sauce base. A small pinch of fresh rosemary sautéed with the shallots adds an earthy depth, while a whisper of red pepper flakes tucked into the meatball mix provides a welcome, subtle warmth without overwhelming the core flavour profile.

Nutritional Snapshot of Our Indulgent Meal

While undeniably rich due to the cream and Parmesan, this dish offers a substantial amount of lean protein. For four hearty servings, you are looking at roughly 450 to 500 calories per portion, with a robust 35 grams of protein. It’s a nutrient-dense meal, perfect for refueling after a long week.

Making Ahead and Storing Leftovers of This Delight

The good news is that this dish often tastes even better the next day as the flavours have more time to meld.

Maximizing Flavour: Tips for Reheating

To reheat, the key is gentle, slow warming to avoid splitting the cream sauce. Place leftovers in a saucepan over very low heat, adding a small splash of milk or broth if the sauce seems too thick. Stir frequently until heated through completely. Avoid microwaving on high power, as this can cause the sauce to break unevenly.

Creative Twists: Spice and Herb Variations

If you happen to find yourself with leftovers, don't feel constrained to serving them over pasta again. Shred the leftover meatballs and sauce and use them as a filling for crusty ciabatta rolls, topping with mozzarella and broiling for a magnificent Marry Me Chicken Meatball sandwich experience. Alternatively, these are exceptional tucked into puff pastry pockets for a savory turnover.