Marry Me Meatballs | The Recipe Critic

With creamy Tuscan flavors, these Marry Me Meatballs are an instant crowd favorite! It doesn’t get much better than Italian seasoned chicken meatballs nestled in a creamy, cheesy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh herbs.

Ingredients You Need to Make Marry Me Meatballs

These meatballs have tender chicken and a rich sauce. It might look like a lot of ingredients, but they’re all pantry staples. And trust me, this is one recipe you’ll be so glad you tried. The Tuscan-inspired ‘Marry Me’ flavors are absolutely divine! Ready to get started? Scroll down to the recipe card for all the details.

Meatballs

• Ground Chicken: You could use ground turkey, but I really love using ground chicken in this recipe.
• Breadcrumbs: Use dried Italian bread crumbs to help bind the ingredients and add texture to the meatballs.
• Egg: Adds structure and helps to bind the ground meat mixture together.
• Italian Seasoning: Use store-bought or try my homemade Italian seasoning for the perfect Italian flavor.
• Minced Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic for the best taste.
• Onion Powder: Provides savory flavor without having to chop any onions.
• Salt: To bring out and enhance all of the flavors.
• Parmesan Cheese: For delicious nutty cheese flavor.
• Olive Oil: For cooking the meatballs.

Marry Me Meatball Sauce

• Butter: Provides a rich base for the sauce.
• Garlic: A must in a good Italian cream sauce.
• Flour: A small amount of flour will thicken the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Gives the sauce the perfect consistency while adding savory flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, velvety sauce. You can also use half and half as a lighter option, although the sauce won’t be quite as rich.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan adds a sharp, cheesy flavor.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: A signature ingredient for that ‘Marry Me’ flavor!
• Dried Italian Seasoning: This is a blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme.
• Fresh Basil: Garnish with fresh basil for extra color and fresh herbs.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

This recipe is super simple, and dinner can be on the table in 35 minutes! Follow my instructions below to end up with the most tender, juicy chicken meatballs and a creamy, tangy sauce.

Meatballs

1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium sized bowl, add the ground chicken, panko bread crumbs, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, and parmesan cheese.
2. Mix: Using clean hands or a fork, mix until the ingredients are combined.
3. Form Balls: Roll into ten large meatballs or 18 small meatballs.
4. Cook: Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the meatballs and cook until browned and cooked throughout. Transfer to a plate while you prepare the sauce.

Marry Me Sauce

5. Start the Sauce: Add the butter to the skillet and melt over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add in the flour and stir to make a paste.
6. Whisk: Whisk in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese.
7. Season: Stir in the drained, sundried tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Season with more salt and pepper if needed.
8. Thicken: Heat the sauce for a few minutes and simmer until it thickens.
9. Warm Meatballs: Return the meatballs to the skillet and spoon the sauce on top. Turn the heat to medium-low, and then continue to heat the meatballs and sauce together for about 5 minutes.
10. Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves and serve your Marry Me meatballs over mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice.

More Flavorful Meatball Recipes

What is it about meatballs that just make me happy? If I had to say, it would probably be the juicy tenderness and the amazing sauces that go with it! I love getting my protein in with them. Here are a few of my favorite meatball recipes for you to try.