Creamy Marry Me Chicken Meatballs (40 Minutes)
Marry Me Chicken Meatballs deliver the rich, creamy flavor of the classic viral dish in a fun, tender meatball version. With juicy chicken meatballs simmered in a sun-dried tomato Parmesan cream sauce, this recipe feels indulgent yet easy enough for weeknights.Ready in just 40 minutes and packed with comforting flavors, it pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or vegetables. Perfect for date night, family dinners, or a cozy night in.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Meatballs
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for searing
For the Marry Me Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or thyme chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Mix the Meatballs
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix gently until just combined.
Form the Meatballs
- Roll the mixture into evenly sized meatballs (about 1 to 1.5 inches). Avoid packing too tightly to keep them tender.
Sear the Meatballs
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and sear until golden brown on all sides, about 5–7 minutes. They do not need to be cooked through at this stage. Remove the meatballs and set aside.
Make the Sauce
- In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add sun-dried tomatoes and stir. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any brown bits. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Add the Meatballs Back
- Return the meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F and the sauce thickens.
Serve
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh basil or thyme. Serve hot over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or vegetables.