The Best Marry Me Chicken Meatballs Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Chicken meatballs with a marry me promise spark instant culinary romance at first bite.

Savory herbs and creamy sauce create an irresistible combination that makes hearts flutter.

Mediterranean influences blend perfectly in this delightful dish designed to impress.

Rich parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes add depth and complexity to each tender morsel.

Weeknight dinners suddenly feel like passionate date nights when these meatballs arrive at the table.

Comfort meets sophistication in a recipe guaranteed to make someone fall head over heels.

Why Marry Me Chicken Meatballs Delight

• Savor Quick Flavor Explosion: These meatballs pack incredible taste with minimal prep, blending sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, and parmesan for a gourmet experience that feels like restaurant-quality cooking.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, this recipe transforms simple chicken into a memorable meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
• Master One-Pan Magic: Streamline your cooking process with a single skillet technique that reduces cleanup while developing rich, layered flavors from prosciutto, herbs, and creamy sauce.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows simple substitutions or additions, making it adaptable for different dietary preferences or ingredient availability without compromising deliciousness.

Ingredients For Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

• Chicken: Lean protein that forms the foundation of the meatballs.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, savory flavor and helps bind the meatballs.
• Pesto: Provides herbal and nutty undertones to the meat mixture.

• Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Enhances the overall taste profile of the meatballs.
• Chili Flakes: Introduces a gentle heat and subtle spiciness.

• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Contributes a concentrated, tangy sweetness to the sauce.
• Butter, Heavy Cream: Creates a rich and velvety sauce texture.
• Shallots, Garlic: Adds depth and aromatic complexity to the dish.
• White Wine: Provides acidity and helps deglaze the pan.

• Prosciutto, Tomato Paste: Adds crispy texture and intense tomato flavor.
• Crusty Bread: Perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.

How To Make Marry Me Meatballs

Step 1: Prepare the Skillet

Grab a large skillet and drain the sun-dried tomato jar oil into it.

Finely chop the sun-dried tomatoes and set them aside for later use.

Step 2: Mix Meatball Magic

• Ground chicken
• Pesto
• Italian seasoning
• Chili flakes
• Salt
• Pepper
• Parmesan cheese

Gently mix ingredients and roll into small meatballs (you’ll create about 15-16).

Step 3: Crisp the Prosciutto

Cook prosciutto in the skillet with reserved oil until it becomes wonderfully crispy (about 5 minutes).

Remove and set aside.

In the same skillet, sear meatballs until they develop a golden-brown crust, turning 2-3 times over 5 minutes.

Step 4: Build the Luxurious Sauce

• Butter
• Additional Italian seasoning
• Shallots
• Garlic

Stir in tomato paste and sprinkle chili flakes.

Pour in wine and bring to a boil, cooking for 3-5 minutes.

Pour cream and chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the skillet.

Let the sauce simmer and thicken for 10 minutes.

Generously sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.

Step 5: Serve and Indulge

Plate the meatballs, top with crispy prosciutto, and serve alongside crusty bread for dipping.

Enjoy this irresistible meal that might just make someone fall in love with you!

Tips For Perfect Chicken Meatballs

• Get a golden-brown crispy exterior by ensuring the skillet is hot before adding meatballs and turning them gently to create an even crust.
• Use ground chicken with a bit of fat content to keep meatballs moist and tender, preventing them from becoming dry or crumbly.
• Toast Italian seasoning in the pan briefly before adding to intensify the herb's aromatic qualities and enhance overall taste profile.
• Simmer sauce slowly to allow natural reduction, which concentrates flavors and creates a rich, silky texture without burning ingredients.
• Crisp prosciutto adds a delightful crunch that complements the soft meatballs, creating an exciting textural experience in every bite.

Flavor Variations For Chicken Meatballs

• Vegetarian Meatball Swap: Replace chicken with plant-based ground meat or crumbled tofu, using mushroom pesto for extra umami flavor and maintaining the original recipe's herb profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko, ensuring meatballs remain crispy and using gluten-free Italian seasoning.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Skip bread, serve meatballs over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice, reducing carbohydrate content while preserving rich, creamy sauce texture.
• Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, nutritional yeast in place of parmesan, and olive oil as butter alternative, maintaining the recipe's complex flavor profile.

Suggested Pairings For Chicken Meatballs

• Rustic Bread Pairing: Slice a crusty baguette or rustic sourdough to soak up the rich, creamy sauce. The bread's crispy exterior and soft interior perfectly complement the tender meatballs.
• Salad Sidekick: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness. The peppery greens and bright dressing balance the sauce's creamy intensity.
• Wine Companion: Pour a crisp white like pinot grigio or a light-bodied red such as chianti. These wines enhance the meatballs' flavor profile and cleanse the palate between bites.
• Veggie Boost: Roast asparagus or green beans with garlic and olive oil as a fresh, nutritious side. The vegetables add color and provide a healthy contrast to the indulgent meatballs.

Storage Advice For Meatballs

• Transfer cooled meatballs and sauce to an airtight container, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep sauce and meatballs together to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Pack meatballs and sauce in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, remove excess air, and freeze for 2-3 months. Label with date and contents for easy tracking.
• Place meatballs and sauce in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely with a lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes. Stir halfway through to ensure even warming.

FAQs

• What ingredients make the meatballs so flavorful?

The combination of pesto, Italian seasoning, chili flakes, and parmesan cheese gives these chicken meatballs a rich, complex flavor profile that makes them incredibly delicious and unique.

• Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatballs in advance and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. Just cover and keep them chilled until you’re ready to sear and finish the dish.

• Is this recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet?

The recipe contains ingredients like bread (for serving) that aren’t gluten-free. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free bread or skip the bread entirely and serve with a gluten-free side.

Marry Me Chicken Meatballs Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Irresistible Marry Me Chicken Meatballs promise romance on a plate, blending Italian-inspired flavors with creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. Comfort meets passion in this delightful dish that will charm dinner guests and spark culinary love.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Meat:

• 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
• 3 ounces prosciutto (torn)
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Herbs, Seasonings, and Aromatics:

• 2 tablespoons basil pesto
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 1 shallot (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
• chili flakes
• salt and black pepper
• fresh basil (for serving)

Liquids, Dairy, and Other Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (oil drained)
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 1 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 cup heavy cream or canned full fat coconut milk

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Instructions

1. Heat sun-dried tomato oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, extracting 3 tablespoons of liquid from the jar. Finely chop the sun-dried tomatoes and reserve for later use.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine ground chicken with pesto, Italian seasoning, chili flakes, salt, pepper, and parmesan. Gently mix ingredients until well incorporated. Form mixture into uniform tablespoon-sized meatballs, yielding approximately 15-16 portions.
3. Crisp prosciutto in the prepared skillet for about 5 minutes until golden and crunchy. Transfer crisp prosciutto to a separate plate, leaving the flavorful oil behind.
4. Carefully place meatballs into the skillet, searing for 5 minutes and rotating 2-3 times to ensure even browning and complete cooking.
5. Reduce heat and add butter, remaining Italian seasoning, minced shallots, and garlic. Incorporate tomato paste and additional chili flakes for depth of flavor.
6. Deglaze the skillet with wine, bringing the mixture to a rapid boil for 3-5 minutes. Pour in heavy cream and reserved sun-dried tomatoes, allowing the sauce to simmer and thicken for 10 minutes.
7. Finish the dish by generously sprinkling remaining parmesan over the meatballs. Serve hot, accompanied by crispy prosciutto and crusty bread for an indulgent dining experience.

Notes

• Swap ground chicken for turkey or plant-based alternatives to accommodate different dietary preferences and protein needs.
• Toast pine nuts or add extra herbs to enhance the pesto’s depth and create a more complex flavor profile.
• Pat chicken meat dry before mixing to ensure better binding and prevent meatballs from becoming too wet and falling apart during cooking.
• Reduce cream for a lighter version or use coconut cream for a dairy-free adaptation that maintains rich texture and taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 330 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg