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Marry Me Chicken Meatballs in Creamy Tomato Sauce

Marry Me Chicken Meatballs in Creamy Tomato Sauce
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Marry Me Chicken Meatballs in Creamy Tomato Sauce is a tender and flavorful dish featuring juicy ground chicken meatballs simmered in a luscious, velvety tomato sauce with a hint of cream and fresh herbs. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this recipe combines simple pantry ingredients for a rich yet light comfort food that is easy to prepare and delightfully satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (extra)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion (extra)
  • 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (adjust to taste)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Finishing Ingredients

  • Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
  • Extra grated Parmesan cheese (optional garnish)
  • Crushed red pepper flakes (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, finely chopped onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Gently mix until everything is evenly incorporated but avoid overworking the mixture to keep meatballs tender.
  2. Shape and Brown the Meatballs: Roll the chicken mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. Heat a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil and brown the meatballs on all sides until golden but not fully cooked through; this locks in the juices for a juicy bite.
  3. Make the Creamy Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté extra garlic and onion until fragrant and translucent. Pour in crushed tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes to deepen the flavor. Stir in heavy cream and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning as desired.
  4. Simmer Meatballs in the Sauce: Return the browned meatballs to the sauce, cover, and let simmer gently for 15–20 minutes so they cook through completely and soak up the creamy tomato goodness.
  5. Finish with Fresh Herbs: Just before serving, sprinkle freshly chopped basil over the dish to add a bright, fresh aroma and a lovely splash of color.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to avoid tough meatballs.
  • Browning the meatballs adds extra flavor and texture.
  • Adjust the amount of cream to achieve your preferred sauce richness.
  • Add fresh herbs at the end to preserve their bright flavor and color.
  • Let the meatballs rest in the sauce off heat before serving to meld flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken meatballs, creamy tomato sauce, easy dinner, one pot meal, gluten free, Italian comfort food

Find it online: https://recipesemilly.com/marry-me-chicken-meatballs-in-creamy-tomato-sauce/