Ingredients
For the Chicken Meatballs:
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ of a white onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Marry Me Sauce:
- ¼ cup white onion, finely diced
- ½ cup jarred sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained & chopped
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼-½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to preferred spice level)
- Fresh basil, thinly sliced (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and spray a baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Form the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, shredded Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, finely diced onion, minced garlic, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them evenly in the prepared baking dish. Optionally, you can brown the meatballs in a sauté pan for a few minutes on each side before baking to add extra flavor and texture.
- Bake the meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through and slightly browned on the outside.
- Prepare the Marry Me sauce: While the meatballs bake, heat a splash of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook until translucent and tender, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic, sautéing briefly. Add tomato paste and cook for another few minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, shredded Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and allow the sauce to simmer over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce starts to thicken. It will continue thickening as it cools.
- Combine and serve: Once the meatballs are done baking, add them directly to the pan with the sauce and toss gently to coat each meatball evenly. Garnish with fresh sliced basil and serve immediately for a comforting, flavorful meal.
Notes
- For a crispier exterior, brown meatballs in a skillet before baking.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your taste preference for spice.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
