Marry Me Meatballs: A Romantic Chicken One-Skillet Wonder

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 | Calories: 496 kcal per serving

Marry Me Meatballs: The Perfect Dish to Say “I Do” To

Have you ever tasted something so phenomenal that you’d be willing to propose on the spot? That’s exactly the reaction these Marry Me Chicken Meatballs inspire. Quick, easy, and utterly delicious, these tender chicken meatballs swimming in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with crispy prosciutto bits are the perfect example of comfort food elevated to special-occasion status.

Pan-seared and prepared in just one skillet, these mouthwatering meatballs deliver maximum flavor with minimal cleanup. Trust me when I say you’ll want to serve these with crusty bread for sopping up every last drop of that heavenly sauce. Whether you’re cooking for a romantic dinner, family gathering, or simply treating yourself to something extraordinary on a Tuesday night, this recipe hits all the right notes.

My inspiration came from the viral “marry me chicken” sensation that’s been captivating food lovers for years. I’ve reimagined this beloved dish as “marry me meatballs,” maintaining all the rich flavor profiles while creating something uniquely crave-worthy. The creamy sun-dried tomato sauce is truly the star here – velvety, tangy, and packed with Italian herbs that will transport you straight to a cozy trattoria.

Marry Me Meatballs: Essential Ingredients Table

Here’s everything you’ll need to create these irresistible meatballs:

For the Meatballs	Amount	Notes
Ground chicken	1 pound	Can substitute turkey, pork, or beef
Pesto	3 tablespoons	Homemade or store-bought
Italian seasoning	1 teaspoon
Chili flakes	½ teaspoon	Adjust to taste
Sea salt	½ teaspoon
Black pepper	To taste	Freshly ground preferred
Parmesan cheese	⅓ cup	Freshly grated

For the Signature Sauce	Amount	Notes
Prosciutto	4 ounces	Torn into pieces
Olive oil	2 tablespoons	Extra virgin recommended
Butter	3 tablespoons	Unsalted
Shallots	2	Finely chopped
Garlic cloves	4	Minced
Sun-dried tomatoes	8	Oil-packed, drained and chopped
Tomato paste	2 tablespoons
Italian seasoning	1 teaspoon
Chili flakes	½ teaspoon
Dry white wine	¾ cup	Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
Heavy cream	1½ cups
Parmesan cheese	⅓ cup	Freshly grated
Fresh basil leaves	For garnish	Torn or whole leaves

Kitchen Essentials

Large skillet (preferably cast iron)
Large mixing bowl
Measuring spoons and cups
Serving plates
Forks, knives, and napkins

The Marry Me Meatballs Magic: Cooking Instructions

This recipe breaks down into three simple steps: preparing the meatballs, cooking the prosciutto and meatballs, and finishing the heavenly sauce before serving.

Equipment Needed	Purpose
Large skillet	Preferably cast iron for best searing
Large mixing bowl	For combining meatball ingredients
Measuring spoons and cups	For precise ingredient amounts
Serving plates	For presentation
Utensils	Forks, knives, and napkins

Step 1: Prepare Those Irresistible Marry Me Meatballs

Drain the oil from your sun-dried tomatoes, reserving a tablespoon for extra flavor if desired. Finely chop the tomatoes and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, pesto, Italian seasoning, chili flakes, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Mix gently with your hands until just combined – overmixing can make your meatballs tough, and we’re aiming for tender perfection here!

Roll the mixture into 16-18 golf ball-sized meatballs, wetting your hands slightly if the mixture becomes sticky. For a special touch, I like to sprinkle a little extra Parmesan on each meatball before cooking.

Chef’s note: While ground chicken creates wonderfully light meatballs, feel free to substitute with ground pork or beef if that’s what you have on hand. Each variation brings its own unique flavor profile to the dish.

Step 2: Create Layers of Flavor

Heat your large skillet over medium heat and add the torn prosciutto pieces. Cook until they become delightfully crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Remove these flavor bombs from the pan and set aside – we’ll use them as a finishing touch that adds incredible texture contrast.

In the same skillet, add the olive oil and increase the heat to medium-high. Add your prepared meatballs, giving them enough space to brown properly. You might need to work in batches depending on your skillet size. Sear them until golden on all sides, about 3-4 minutes total. They don’t need to be fully cooked through at this stage – they’ll finish cooking in the sauce.

Once all meatballs are browned, return them all to the pan if you worked in batches.

Step 3: Create That Swoon-Worthy Sauce

Add the butter to the skillet with the meatballs, followed by the shallots and garlic. Sauté until fragrant and softened, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and chili flakes, cooking for another minute until the tomato paste darkens slightly and becomes aromatic.

Pour in the white wine, allowing it to sizzle and reduce while scraping up any flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the pan – these little treasures are pure gold for our sauce! Let the wine reduce by half, about 2-3 minutes.

Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream along with the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Allow the sauce to gently simmer until it begins to thicken and coat the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.

Sprinkle in the remaining Parmesan cheese, stirring gently until melted. The sauce should now be luxuriously creamy with beautiful flecks of sun-dried tomato throughout. Return the crispy prosciutto to the skillet, allowing some pieces to rest on top of the meatballs while others incorporate into the sauce.

Marry Me Meatballs: Presentation & Serving Suggestions

Serve these heavenly meatballs topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and torn basil leaves that add a pop of color and freshness. The combination of vibrant Italian flavors creates a cozy, comforting dish that’s simultaneously elegant enough for special occasions.

I cannot emphasize enough – a loaf of crusty bread is non-negotiable here! The sauce is so extraordinarily good that having something to soak it up with is absolutely essential. A simple green salad dressed with lemon and olive oil makes the perfect accompaniment to balance the richness of this dish.

For wine pairing, stick with the same dry white wine you used in cooking, or opt for a medium-bodied red like Sangiovese that can stand up to the rich flavors without overpowering them.

These Marry Me Meatballs have become a reader favorite for good reason – they deliver restaurant-quality flavor with home-kitchen simplicity. Whether you’re cooking to impress someone special or simply treating yourself to a spectacular meal, this recipe is guaranteed to earn rave reviews around your table.

So break out that skillet, pour yourself a glass of wine, and get ready to fall in love with your new favorite comfort food. After all, some recipes are simply too good not to commit to!

What’s your favorite way to elevate marry me meatballs? Share your ideas in the comments below!