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Marry Me Chicken Meatballs
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5 from 1 vote

MARRY ME CHICKEN MEATBALLS

These Marry Me Chicken Meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and smothered in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. This recipe is easy to make and perfect for dinner!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: marry me chicken meatballs, marry me chicken meatballs recipe, marry me meatballs
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

For The Meatballs

  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes not in oil
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

For The Sauce

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot about 1 small shallot
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 ½ cups 1% milk
  • 1/4 cup light cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with equal parts water for a slurry
  • 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes not in oil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Instructions

  • Soak the sun-dried tomatoes. Place them in hot water for about 10 minutes to rehydrate and soften. Once done, drain and finely chop. Divide them according to the recipe: 2 tablespoons for the meatballs and 1/3 cup for the sauce.
  • Make the meatballs. In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, egg, panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese, chopped basil, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Form the meatballs. Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to form about 24 meatballs. Place them on a lined baking sheet.
  • Bake. Bake the meatballs at 400°F for 14-15 minutes, or until fully cooked and lightly golden.
  • Make the sauce. While the meatballs are baking, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the chopped shallot and minced garlic and sauté until translucent and softened, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Add the liquids. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the milk, light cream cheese, tomato paste, oregano, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and remaining 1/3 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Return to low heat and stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
  • Thicken the sauce. Make a slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. Stir it into the sauce over low heat until thickened.
  • Finish the sauce. Add the remaining Parmesan cheese and chopped basil. Stir to combine.
  • Combine and serve. Gently stir the cooked meatballs into the sauce. Top with fresh basil and serve however you like!

Video

Notes

  • Breadcrumbs: Use panko breadcrumbs or your breadcrumbs of choice. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
  • Ground Chicken Substitution: You can easily swap ground chicken for ground turkey. For a learner option, use ground chicken breast or ground turkey breast.
  • Milk To Use: We used 1% milk to keep the sauce lighter while still adding creaminess. You can substitute with 2% or whole milk if preferred.
  • Shallot Substitution: You can use 2 tablespoons of diced white onion instead.
  • Storage: You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
 
WW Points: 5 points per serving
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Nutrition

Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 21.5g | Protein: 34.8g | Fat: 20.2g | Saturated Fat: 7.6g | Cholesterol: 152.5mg | Sodium: 1010mg | Fiber: 1.7g | Sugar: 10.9g