Description
Irresistible marry me chicken meatballs blend Italian-inspired flavors with tender, juicy goodness that promises to steal hearts. Savory herbs, creamy sauce, and perfectly seasoned meat create a romantic culinary experience you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground chicken
- 1 large egg
Cheese and Breadcrumbs:
- ½ cup (50 g) breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup (75 g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
Garnish:
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Blend ground chicken with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, whisked egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Gently fold ingredients together using a light touch, ensuring components are evenly distributed without compressing the protein mixture excessively.
- Using clean hands or a precision portioning tool, craft uniform spherical portions by rolling the meat mixture between palms, creating consistent-sized meatballs approximately 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Maintain gentle pressure while shaping to prevent dense, tough texture, allowing the meatballs to remain tender and delicate.
- Place formed meatballs on a prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to promote even cooking and prevent potential sticking.
- Ensure meatballs are symmetrical and compact, which helps them cook uniformly and retain their structural integrity during the culinary preparation process.
Notes
- Choose ground chicken with a moderate fat content to ensure moist and flavorful meatballs that won’t dry out during cooking.
- Chill the meat mixture for 15-30 minutes before shaping to help the meatballs hold their shape and prevent them from falling apart.
- Use a light touch when mixing and rolling meatballs to keep them tender and prevent a dense, tough texture.
- Experiment with alternative protein options like ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for dietary restrictions or personal preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 574
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 726 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 138 mg