Creamy Marry Me Chicken Meatballs Recipe
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Meatballs feature tender ground chicken meatballs simmered in a luscious, flavorful sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, white wine, coconut milk, and fresh herbs. This comforting dish is perfect served over mashed potatoes or rice, offering a delightful balance of creamy texture and savory flavors.
- Author: Bella
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 20-23 meatballs, serves 6-8 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Meatballs
- 2 lbs ground chicken
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup fresh chopped basil
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 2 teaspoons herbs de provence
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Sauce & Others
- 2–3 tablespoons olive oil, as needed
- 1 large shallot, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 (7-8 ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil, removed from oil (reserve the oil) & roughly chopped (about 1 cup)
- ⅓ cup dry white wine, such as sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon herbs de provence
- ½–1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 (13.5 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
- ¼ cup fresh chopped basil, plus more for serving
- ¼ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
- Make meatball mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, eggs, panko breadcrumbs, chopped basil, garlic paste, herbs de provence, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture to ensure tender meatballs.
- Shape meatballs: Set aside a large plate or platter. Use a medium spring-loaded scooper to form golf ball-size meatballs by scooping and then rolling each meatball until smooth. Place the meatballs on the plate and repeat until you have about 20-23 meatballs.
- Brown meatballs: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil (or reserved sun-dried tomato oil) in a large deep skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the meatballs in a single layer without overcrowding and brown them on one side for 3-4 minutes until a nice sear forms, then carefully turn to brown the other side for 3-4 minutes. Meatballs will not be fully cooked at this stage. Remove browned meatballs to a clean plate and repeat with remaining meatballs, adding more oil if necessary.
- Build the Marry Me sauce: In the same skillet, add the diced shallot and cook, stirring often, until tender and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic paste and sun-dried tomatoes, cooking until fragrant about 1-2 minutes. Pour in the white wine to deglaze, scraping the pan to lift browned bits. Let the tomatoes soften until jammy, about 2 minutes. Stir in dijon mustard, herbs de provence, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, and chicken broth. Stir well and bring to a simmer, cooking for 3-4 minutes.
- Add coconut milk: Stir in the coconut milk and let the sauce simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, to develop creaminess.
- Bring it all together and finish cooking: Reduce heat to low and add browned meatballs along with any juices back into the sauce. Stir in fresh chopped basil and grated parmesan cheese, gently tossing to coat the meatballs. Let them simmer in the sauce for 10-15 minutes, stirring gently every few minutes. The sauce will thicken and the meatballs will cook through and absorb flavors.
- Serve: Serve the creamy Marry Me Chicken Meatballs over mashed potatoes or white rice. Garnish with additional chopped basil if desired. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful dish!
Notes
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to avoid tough meatballs.
- Use reserved sun-dried tomato oil for extra flavor when browning the meatballs.
- Browning meatballs in batches prevents overcrowding and ensures even searing.
- The meatballs finish cooking fully in the simmering sauce.
- Serve with mashed potatoes or white rice to soak up the creamy sauce.
- To make this recipe dairy-free, omit the parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
Keywords: chicken meatballs, creamy sauce, marry me chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, comfort food, easy dinner