Description
Marry Me Chicken meatballs in rich sauce quick weeknight dish easy prep crowdpleaser with bold flavor and hearty comfort finish with parm and herbs
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko for extra lightness)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot, minced (or 1/4 small onion)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- For the sauce: 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (for the sauce)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, shallot, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix just until combined—overworking can make the meatballs tough.
- Shape the mixture into about 12 evenly sized meatballs, roughly 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place them on a plate as you go.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer, ensuring space between them. Sear until deeply golden on all sides, about 6–8 minutes total. They don’t need to be fully cooked through yet. Remove to a plate and set aside.
- Lower the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic (and sun-dried tomatoes if using). Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring to loosen browned bits from the pan.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, then whisk in the Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce begins to thicken, about 3–5 minutes. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet. Simmer gently for 8–10 minutes, turning once or twice, until the meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature 165°F) and the sauce is silky and cohesive.
- Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and a handful of chopped parsley. If you like extra brightness, add a touch more Parmesan on top. Serve hot with pasta, crusty bread, or a bed of mashed potatoes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main dish
- Method: One-Pan Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Fat: 42 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Meatballs, Creamy garlic parmesan, one-pan dinner, date night, weeknight dinner, Italian-inspired
