Marry Me Chicken Meatballs (Creamy, Easy & Irresistible)

If you love creamy chicken dinners that feel a little special without being complicated, you’re going to fall hard for these Marry Me Chicken Meatballs. I mean, juicy chicken meatballs simmered in a rich, creamy sauce with garlic, parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes? Yes please. This is the kind of recipe that makes everyone at the table ask for seconds — and maybe even the recipe.

These Marry Me Chicken Meatballs work perfectly for weeknight dinners, cozy family meals, or when you want something comforting but still impressive. Serve them with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, and you’ve got a meal that feels restaurant-worthy but totally doable at home.

Let’s get cooking — I promise, this one’s a keeper 💛

Marry me chicken meatballs simmered in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, served as a cozy homemade dinner

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need simple, easy-to-find ingredients to make these Marry Me Chicken Meatballs. I love recipes like this because everything feels familiar, yet the final dish tastes incredibly special.

For the Chicken Meatballs

  • Ground chicken
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Egg
  • Garlic, minced
  • Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Grated parmesan cheese

These ingredients come together to create tender, juicy meatballs that hold their shape beautifully and soak up all the creamy sauce.

For the Creamy “Marry Me” Sauce

  • Olive oil or butter
  • Garlic, minced
  • Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • Chicken broth
  • Heavy cream
  • Grated parmesan cheese
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)

This sauce is rich, creamy, and full of flavor without being overpowering. The sun-dried tomatoes add a deep, slightly tangy taste that makes the sauce unforgettable

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Meatballs (Step by Step)

Step 1: Mix the Chicken Meatballs

I start by adding the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, parmesan, salt, and pepper to a large bowl. I gently mix everything together just until combined. I always avoid overmixing because that keeps the meatballs tender and juicy instead of dense.

Step 2: Shape and Cook the Meatballs

I roll the mixture into evenly sized meatballs so they cook at the same pace. I heat a large skillet over medium heat with a little olive oil, then add the meatballs in a single layer. I let them cook until golden on all sides. They don’t need to cook all the way through yet because they finish cooking in the sauce.

Step 3: Make the Creamy “Marry Me” Sauce

Using the same skillet, I sauté the garlic until fragrant. I stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, then pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. As the sauce warms, I add the parmesan and red pepper flakes. I stir until the sauce turns smooth, creamy, and full of flavor.

Step 4: Simmer Everything Together

I return the meatballs to the skillet and gently spoon the sauce over them. I let everything simmer until the meatballs cook through and the sauce thickens slightly. This is when all the flavors come together and the sauce clings beautifully to each meatball.

Marry me chicken meatballs cooked in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, served in a skillet for a cozy homemade dinner

Pro Tips for the Best Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

  • Mix the meatball ingredients gently and stop as soon as everything comes together. Overmixing makes chicken meatballs firm instead of tender.
  • Shape the meatballs the same size so they cook evenly and look neat when served.
  • Brown the meatballs well before simmering them in the sauce. That golden color adds extra flavor and helps them hold their shape.
  • Keep the heat at medium when making the creamy sauce. High heat can cause the cream to separate.
  • Stir the sauce often so it stays smooth, rich, and evenly combined.
  • If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small splash of chicken broth to loosen it without losing flavor.
  • Finish the dish with extra parmesan if you want a richer, more savory sauce.
  • Taste the sauce before serving and adjust salt or pepper if needed — small tweaks make a big difference.
Marry me chicken meatballs simmered in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, served hot in a skillet for a cozy homemade dinner

What to Serve with Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

I love how versatile these Marry Me Chicken Meatballs are because they pair beautifully with so many sides. The creamy sauce makes this dish perfect for serving with something that can soak up all that flavor.

  • Pasta: I usually serve these meatballs over fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti. The sauce coats the pasta perfectly and turns this into a comforting, restaurant-style dinner.
  • Mashed potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes make an amazing base for these chicken meatballs and create the ultimate cozy meal.
  • Rice: White rice or jasmine rice keeps things simple and lets the sauce shine.
  • Garlic bread: I never skip crusty bread when creamy sauce is involved. It’s perfect for dipping and finishing every last bite.
  • Vegetables: Steamed broccoli, green beans, or a simple side salad add balance and keep the meal from feeling too heavy.

This recipe works just as well for a casual weeknight dinner as it does for serving guests, and you can easily mix and match sides based on what you have on hand.

Marry me chicken meatballs simmered in a creamy garlic sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil, served hot in a skillet

Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips

I love this recipe even more because it stores beautifully and tastes just as good the next day. If you end up with leftovers, you’re in luck.

  • Refrigerator: I store Marry Me Chicken Meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen as they sit, which makes leftovers extra delicious.
  • Reheating: I reheat the meatballs gently on the stovetop over low heat. I add a small splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce and keep it smooth. You can also reheat them in the microwave in short intervals, stirring in between.
  • Make-ahead: I often prepare the meatballs in advance and store them uncooked in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When dinner time comes, I cook them fresh and make the sauce right before serving.
  • Freezing: You can freeze the cooked meatballs with the sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before reheating.

These tips make this recipe perfect for meal prep, busy weeks, or planning ahead.

Close-up of marry me chicken meatballs coated in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil

More Recipes To Try

FAQs

Can I bake the chicken meatballs instead of frying them?

Yes, you can absolutely bake them. I place the meatballs on a lined baking sheet and bake them until lightly golden, then finish cooking them in the sauce. Baking works well if you want a lighter option or less hands-on cooking.

Can I make Marry Me Chicken Meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, this recipe works great for making ahead. I often prepare the meatballs earlier in the day and store them in the fridge. When I’m ready to eat, I cook them and make the sauce fresh so everything tastes its best.

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Yes, ground turkey works well as a substitute. I usually choose lean turkey and follow the same steps. The meatballs stay tender and still pair beautifully with the creamy sauce.

Is this recipe spicy?

No, this recipe isn’t spicy. The red pepper flakes are optional, so you can leave them out completely or add a small pinch if you want a little heat.

What can I use instead of heavy cream?

If you want a lighter option, you can use half-and-half. The sauce will be slightly thinner but still creamy and flavorful. I avoid using milk because it doesn’t give the same rich texture.

Marry me chicken meatballs simmered in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil, shown with a serving spoon

Recipe

Yield: 4 servings

Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

Marry me chicken meatballs coated in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and basil, shown with a serving spoon
Creamy, juicy chicken meatballs simmered in a rich garlic parmesan sauce. An easy, comforting dinner made step by step with simple ingredients.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Chicken Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground chicken (450 g)
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (30 g)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (50 g)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Creamy “Marry Me” Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (about 80 g)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (240 ml)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (50 g)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. I add the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to a large bowl. I gently mix everything just until combined.
  2. I shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs.
  3. I heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides. I remove them from the pan and set them aside.
  4. Using the same skillet, I sauté the garlic until fragrant. I stir in the sun-dried tomatoes.
  5. I pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then add the parmesan and red pepper flakes. I stir until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
  6. I return the meatballs to the skillet and spoon the sauce over them.
  7. I let everything simmer gently until the meatballs cook through and the sauce thickens slightly.
  8. I taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve warm.

Notes

  • I avoid overmixing the meatballs to keep them tender.

  • If the sauce becomes too thick, I add a small splash of chicken broth to loosen it.

  • I serve these meatballs with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
  • Nutrition Information:

    Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 520Total Fat: 36gCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 32g

    Nutrition information is provided as an estimate only and may vary depending on the ingredients used, brands chosen, portion sizes, and cooking methods.

    These Marry Me Chicken Meatballs are one of those recipes that feel special without being complicated. The meatballs turn out juicy and tender, the creamy sauce is rich and comforting, and everything comes together easily in one pan. It’s the kind of dinner that works just as well for a cozy weeknight as it does for serving guests.

    I love how flexible this recipe is. You can serve it with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or even crusty bread, and it always feels satisfying. Plus, the step-by-step process makes it approachable, even if you don’t cook with ground chicken very often.

    If you try these Marry Me Chicken Meatballs, I’d love to know how you served them or what little twist you added. Save this recipe for later, share it with someone who loves creamy chicken dinners, and enjoy every bite — this one truly lives up to its name.

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