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Marry Me Chicken Meatballs.

Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

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These Creamy Tuscan Chicken Meatballs feature tender homemade chicken meatballs simmered in a rich parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and fresh basil. Serve them over your favorite pasta for an easy, comforting dinner that's packed with flavor.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Italian inspired
Calories: 337

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flake
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened and room temperature, broken into small chunks
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 3 oz fresh spinach
  • more fresh basil + parmesan for topping cooked pasta for serving

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, mix together chicken, parmesan, panko, salt, and garlic.
  2. Using 2 tablespoon of meat, roll into balls.
  3. Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat and add oil.
  4. Once hot, add meatballs, turning every few minutes to ensure even cooking. Cook for 6-8 minutes and then remove meatballs from pan.
  5. With whatever remaining oil in pan (or add 1 tablespoon more if none), add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes. Roughly chop sun-dried tomatoes and add them to the onions. Cook for another 2-3 minutes and then add in garlic, and cook for another minute.
  6. Stir in tomato paste, basil, Italian seasoning, red pepper flake, salt, and pepper, then pour broth overtop and stir together. Bring to light simmer.
  7. Add chunks of cream cheese to pot, along with whole milk, vinegar, and parmesan cheese. Use a whisk to help break up the cream cheese as it warms until it is smooth. Let simmer for a few minutes.
  8. Add meatballs back into dish and toss to coat. Once coated, add spinach and cover with lid to allow spinach to help soften, stir often until spinach is wilted and submerged in sauce.
  9. Top with more fresh basil and parmesan cheese. Serve over your favorite pasta - I like orzo. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 337kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 22gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 970mgPotassium: 739mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1967IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 232mgIron: 2mg

Notes

  • Storage: Let leftovers cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze the cooked meatballs and sauce together in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
  • Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce as needed.
  • Serving suggestions: Serve over orzo, pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes to soak up the sauce.
  • Substitutions: Ground turkey works well in place of ground chicken. Swap regular panko for gluten-free panko to make this recipe celiac-friendly.

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