Description
Marry Me Chicken Meatballs are tender and juicy meatballs made from ground chicken, Parmesan, and seasonings, simmered in a creamy, rich tomato sauce. This comforting dish offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it ideal for family dinners, special occasions, or meal prepping. Easy to make, freezer-friendly, and versatile, these meatballs bring a delicious twist to classic comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup bread crumbs (or almond flour/gluten-free panko for gluten-free)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or fresh basil, thyme, oregano)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for browning)
For the Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 can (14 oz) canned tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or Greek yogurt/coconut milk for reduced fat)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, minced garlic, finely chopped onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Gently mix with hands or a spoon until fully combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
- Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, using your hands or a small scoop to ensure uniform size for even cooking.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and brown all sides gently for about 4-5 minutes. Remove the browned meatballs and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté additional garlic and onion until fragrant. Add canned tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer, then gradually stir in heavy cream to create a creamy, luscious sauce.
- Simmer the Meatballs in Sauce: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them gently into the sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked and the sauce has thickened.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to avoid dense, tough meatballs.
- Use a scoop to make all meatballs uniform in size to ensure even cooking.
- Brown the meatballs only; finish cooking them in the sauce for optimal tenderness.
- If the sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered for a few minutes to thicken and intensify flavors.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, basil, or extra Parmesan cheese before serving.
- For a spicy version, add red pepper flakes or jalapeños to the sauce.
- Substitute bread crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko for a gluten-free option.
- Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for a lighter sauce.
- Bake meatballs at 400°F for 15-20 minutes as a healthier alternative to frying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Pan-frying and simmering; baking alternative
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 4 meatballs with sauce)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg