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Creamy Marry Me Chicken Meatballs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 54 reviews

Creamy Marry Me Chicken Meatballs are tender, flavorful chicken meatballs simmered in a rich and spicy creamy sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, coconut milk, and fresh herbs. This comforting dish combines aromatic herbs, a hint of heat from red pepper flakes, and the depth of parmesan cheese, making it perfect served over mashed potatoes or rice for a hearty meal.

Ingredients

Scale

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
  • 2–3 tablespoons olive oil, as needed

Sauce

  • 1 large shallot, finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic paste
  • 1 (7-8 ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil, drained and roughly chopped (about 1 cup)
  • Oil from sun-dried tomatoes jar (reserved from draining)
  • 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

Instructions

  1. Make meatball mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, eggs, panko breadcrumbs, fresh 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 meat to keep the meatballs tender.
  2. Shape meatballs: Using a medium spring-loaded scooper, portion the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs. Roll each between the palms of your hands to form smooth balls. Place on a large plate or platter and repeat for all meatball mixture, yielding about 20-23 meatballs.
  3. Brown meatballs: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil (or reserved oil from sun-dried tomatoes) in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, add meatballs in a single layer without overcrowding. Brown on one side for 3-4 minutes until a nice sear forms, then carefully turn and brown the other side for another 3-4 minutes. The meatballs will not be fully cooked at this stage. Using a slotted spoon, transfer browned meatballs to a clean plate. Repeat if cooking in batches, adding oil as needed.
  4. Build the sauce: In the same skillet, add the diced shallot and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until tender and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic paste and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, cooking until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping the bottom to lift any browned bits. Let the mixture cook for about 2 minutes, until the tomatoes soften and become slightly jammy.
  5. Add remaining sauce ingredients: Stir in Dijon mustard, herbs de provence, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste, and chicken broth. Combine thoroughly and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes.
  6. Add coconut milk: Pour in the full-fat coconut milk and bring the sauce back up to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes to develop flavors and thicken slightly.
  7. Finish cooking meatballs: Reduce heat to low and return the browned meatballs to the skillet along with any juices collected. Add the fresh chopped basil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Gently toss to coat meatballs in the creamy sauce. Let simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring or swirling the pan every few minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the meatballs to cook through and meld with the flavors.
  8. Serve: Remove from heat and serve the creamy Marry Me chicken meatballs over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes or white rice. Garnish with extra fresh chopped basil for a fresh, aromatic finish. Enjoy warm.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep meatballs tender.
  • You can use the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes to add extra flavor when browning meatballs.
  • If you don’t have fresh basil, substitute with 2 teaspoons dried basil but add it in the sauce step.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and re-heated gently on the stovetop for best texture.

Keywords: chicken meatballs, creamy chicken meatballs, marry me sauce, sun-dried tomato chicken, coconut milk sauce, dinner recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/creamy-marry-me-chicken-meatballs-recipe/