Ever heard of meatballs so yummy you wanna say “Marry me”? Yep, that’s exactly how I felt when I first made these creamy marry me chicken meatballs. Trust me, they’re super tasty and you’ll wanna eat ’em all up.

You know, I tried lots of meatball recipes before, but this one beats them all. It’s creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-easy to make. Seriously, you’ll feel like a cooking star!

Wanna know my secret? I’ll tell you all about it, step by step, so you can make the best chicken meatballs ever. Let’s cook together and make everyone say, “Marry me!”

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Family Favorite: Readers often say, “My family keeps asking me to make this again.”
• Flavorful Meatballs: These chicken meatballs are tender and full of herbs and spices.
• Creamy Sauce: Made with coconut milk, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan, it’s creamy and tasty.
• Quick and Easy: Ready in less than an hour, so it’s great for weeknight dinners.
• Meal-Prep Friendly: Make extra meatballs ahead of time, and store them for later meals.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep Time & Cook Time:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: About 50 minutes

Servings:

• This recipe makes about 20 chicken meatballs—enough for 4 to 6 people. Need more meatballs? Double the recipe easily.

Difficulty:

• Easy to make, even if you’re new to cooking. Experienced cooks will enjoy making it too.

Required Kitchen Tools

To cook this tasty dish easily, gather these kitchen tools first:

• Large Mixing Bowl: For mixing the chicken meatball ingredients together.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For careful measuring of ingredients.
• Large Non-Stick Skillet: To cook the meatballs and sauce together smoothly.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: To stir ingredients gently without scratching your pan.
• Sharp Knife and Cutting Board: For cutting shallots and basil.
• Baking Sheet (optional): To keep meatballs warm if cooking in batches.

Ingredients for Creamy Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

Here’s everything you need for tasty chicken meatballs and creamy sauce (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

For the Chicken Meatballs:

• Ground Chicken: Makes juicy, soft meatballs.
• Large Eggs: Holds the meatballs together.
• Plain Panko Breadcrumbs: Helps make meatballs tender.
• Fresh Chopped Basil: Adds fresh flavor to the meatballs.
• Garlic Paste: Adds tasty garlic flavor without chunks.
• Herbes de Provence: Gives meatballs a mild, delicious herb taste.
• Onion Powder: Adds tasty onion flavor, but keeps it smooth.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds a bit of smoky flavor.
• Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Brings out all flavors nicely.

For the Creamy Marry Me Sauce:

• Olive Oil: Used for cooking and flavoring.
• Large Shallot: Adds mild onion flavor and makes the sauce tasty.
• Garlic Paste: Adds garlic flavor smoothly.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil (jar): Adds yummy sweetness. Keep some of their oil for flavor.
• Dry White Wine: Adds depth and richness (you can skip this or replace it with chicken broth).
• Dijon Mustard: Adds gentle flavor and creamy texture.
• Herbes de Provence: Adds tasty, French-inspired herbal flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a tiny bit of spice.
• Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Helps make the sauce tasty.
• Chicken Broth: Makes sauce flavorful and thin enough.
• Full-fat Coconut Milk: Gives sauce creamy texture and rich taste without dairy.
• Fresh Chopped Basil: Adds fresh taste and nice color.
• Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: Gives a creamy, cheesy finish to the sauce.

How to Make Creamy Marry Me Chicken Meatballs: Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you’ve got your ingredients ready, let’s start cooking. Here’s exactly what to do:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Meatballs

1. Mix the Ingredients:
   Place the ground chicken, eggs, smoked paprika, herbs, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and other meatball ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Mix gently using your hands or a spoon until well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your meatballs tough.
2. Shape Meatballs:
   Roll the mixture into evenly-sized balls, about 1½ tablespoons each. Place them on a baking sheet or plate, spacing them apart so they don’t stick together. Using slightly damp hands helps prevent the mixture from sticking.
3. Cook Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs, cooking them in batches if needed. Brown them evenly on all sides, about 4-5 minutes total. Remove meatballs from the skillet and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

How to Make Creamy Marry Me Sauce (Step-by-Step Instructions)

After making your chicken meatballs, follow these clear and easy steps to create the rich, creamy Marry Me sauce:

Step 1: Cook Shallots and Garlic

In the same skillet used for cooking the meatballs, add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat the oil over medium heat. Add finely diced shallots and cook gently for 2-3 minutes until they’re soft and lightly golden. Next, stir in the garlic paste and cook for an additional 30 seconds until it smells good, but not browned.

Step 2: Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet, stirring gently to combine with the shallots and garlic. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to blend well.

Step 2: Deglaze the Pan

Slowly pour white wine (or chicken broth if you prefer) into the skillet. Gently scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Let the wine or broth simmer until about half of the liquid evaporates (this takes about 3-4 minutes).

Step 3: Create the Creamy Sauce

Lower the heat to medium-low. Add Dijon mustard, herbes de Provence, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine evenly. Slowly pour in the chicken broth and coconut milk, stirring continuously. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Step 4: Finish the Sauce

Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir gently until the cheese melts smoothly into the sauce. Stir in chopped fresh basil, which adds extra freshness and color to your dish.

Step 5: Combine Meatballs and Sauce

Finally, gently place the cooked meatballs into the skillet. Carefully spoon the creamy sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they’re evenly coated. Simmer everything together for another 5 minutes on low heat, allowing meatballs to soak up the delicious creamy sauce flavors.

Serving Suggestions

These tasty meatballs go well with lots of different foods. Try them served:

• Over Pasta: Serve meatballs and sauce with spaghetti or fettuccine noodles.
• With Rice: Delicious on fluffy white or brown rice.
• With Veggies: Pair them with steamed broccoli, green beans, or carrots for a balanced meal.
• With Bread: Enjoy alongside warm garlic bread or dinner rolls to soak up the creamy sauce.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Don’t Overmix Meatballs: Gently mix ingredients just until combined to keep meatballs tender.
• Brown the Meatballs First: Browning gives meatballs extra flavor and helps them hold shape.
• Use Low Heat for Sauce: Cook sauce gently on low heat so it stays creamy and doesn’t separate.
• Fresh Herbs Matter: Fresh basil or parsley add bright flavors, so use them if you have them.

How to Store Leftovers

• In the Refrigerator: Keep leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: These meatballs freeze well. Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave until warm.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	380
Protein	25g
Carbohydrates	10g
Fat	27g
Saturated Fat	10g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	4g
Sodium	600mg

Note: Nutritional values are approximate and can vary.

FAQs about Creamy Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

Can I use turkey instead of chicken?
Yes, ground turkey works great instead of chicken. It will taste just as yummy.

Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Absolutely. Shape the meatballs and store them covered in the refrigerator. Cook them fresh when you’re ready to eat.

What if I don’t have coconut milk?
You can substitute coconut milk with heavy cream, half-and-half, or even almond milk. Choose based on your taste.

Are these meatballs spicy?
They have a mild flavor. If you like spice, add extra red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.