Easy & Delicious Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Ricotta Sauce

Experience a delightful twist on the internet-famous “Marry Me Chicken” with these incredibly easy-to-make and utterly delicious Marry Me Chicken Meatballs. Instead of traditional chicken breasts, tender meatballs simmer in a rich, creamy ricotta sauce, beautifully complemented by the sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes and the freshness of spinach. This recipe offers all the beloved flavors of the classic dish in a more convenient, comforting, and family-friendly form. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner, yet elegant enough for a special occasion, promising a meal so good it just might earn a proposal!

Why You’ll Love These Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

The original Marry Me Chicken captivated many with its irresistible creamy sauce, but the process of pounding and dredging chicken breasts can be a bit cumbersome for a quick meal. This meatball version streamlines the entire process, making it much more approachable without sacrificing any of the iconic flavor. The benefits are numerous:

• Effortless Preparation: No pounding or dredging chicken required. Simply mix the meatball ingredients and form them.
• Family-Friendly: Meatballs are a universal favorite, making this dish a hit with both kids and adults. They’re also easier to eat than whole chicken breasts, especially for younger diners.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: You can prepare the meatballs in advance, saving precious time during busy weeknights.
• Lightened-Up Creaminess: We swap heavy cream for a luscious ricotta cheese base, providing a creamy texture that feels indulgent yet is a slightly lighter option.
• Bursting with Flavor: The combination of ground chicken, sweet cherry tomatoes, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and rich Parmesan creates a complex and deeply satisfying flavor profile.
• One-Pan Wonder: Most of the cooking happens in a single oven-safe skillet, simplifying cleanup.

This recipe transforms a popular dish into an even more convenient and delightful experience. Get ready for a meal that’s as easy to love as it is to make!

Key Ingredients for Perfect Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

Crafting these delectable chicken meatballs requires a handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:

• Ground Chicken: The star of our meatballs! Using ground chicken eliminates the need for any tedious pounding or dredging that whole chicken breasts would require. It’s lean, versatile, and absorbs flavors beautifully. You can opt for lean ground chicken or a slightly higher fat content for juicier meatballs, depending on your preference.
• Quick-Cooking Oats: These are essential as a binder for the meatballs, helping them hold their shape and preventing them from becoming too dense. Quick oats are thinner and finer than rolled oats, blending seamlessly into the mixture without being noticeable in the final texture. They contribute to a tender, not tough, meatball.
• Chicken Stock: This forms the flavorful base of our creamy sauce. Opt for reduced-sodium chicken stock to better control the overall saltiness of your dish. It’s a fundamental pantry staple that adds depth and richness to countless recipes.
• Fresh Spinach: Adds a wonderful touch of freshness, vibrant color, and a boost of nutrition to the sauce. It wilts down easily and its mild flavor complements the other ingredients. If you have a garden, Swiss chard makes an excellent substitute!
• Cherry Tomatoes: These small, round tomatoes are naturally sweeter than grape tomatoes and have thinner skins, which means they burst beautifully and release their sweet juices into the sauce as they cook. Their sweetness provides a lovely counterpoint to the savory elements of the dish.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Packed with intense, concentrated tomato flavor, sun-dried tomatoes add a delightful tang and umami depth. Mine were not packed in oil (which is often preferred for less oil in the sauce), but either type will work. If yours are oil-packed, simply drain them well before chopping. A large bag from a bulk store like Costco is a great way to keep them on hand for a variety of recipes.
• Ricotta Cheese: This is the secret to our lightened-up yet incredibly creamy sauce. Full-fat ricotta cheese yields the best results, providing a velvety texture and a mild, milky flavor that coats the meatballs beautifully. It’s a fantastic alternative to heavy cream, offering richness without the heaviness.
• Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Crucial for its salty, nutty flavor and its ability to melt smoothly into the sauce. It’s vital to use shredded Parmesan, not grated. Grated Parmesan often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting properly, leading to a clumpy sauce. Freshly shredded is always best!
• Egg: A binder for the meatballs, helping all the ingredients coalesce and stay together during cooking.
• Italian Seasoning & Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning the meatballs and enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Olive Oil: For browning the meatballs and sautéing the aromatics, building the foundational flavors of the sauce.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

Creating these flavorful Marry Me Chicken Meatballs is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a perfect meal every time:

Before you begin, make sure to preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). This ensures your oven is ready for baking as soon as your skillet is prepared.

• 1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, one large egg, ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning, and ⅓ cup quick-cooking oats. Using clean hands, gently mix all the ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough meatballs. A small portion scoop (like one for cookies or ice cream, easily found on Amazon for under $10) makes forming uniform meatballs incredibly easy and efficient. Aim for about 18 meatballs in total.

• 2. Brown the Meatballs: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot and the oil is shimmering, carefully add the chicken meatballs. Cook them for about 3 minutes until nicely browned on one side. Using a small spatula or tongs, gently flip each meatball and cook for another 2 minutes on the other side. Remember, you’re only browning them at this stage, not cooking them all the way through; they will finish cooking in the oven.

• 3. Add Stock and Veggies: Reduce the heat slightly. Pour 1 cup of chicken stock into the skillet, then add the 2 minced garlic cloves. Gently stir to incorporate. Add the 2 cups of baby spinach around the meatballs. Allow the spinach to wilt down for about a minute or two. Once wilted, scatter the 1½ cups of cherry tomatoes and ½ cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes evenly throughout the skillet, arranging them around the meatballs.

• 4. Introduce the Cheeses: Now for the creamy goodness! Spoon dollops of the ¾ cup ricotta cheese evenly around the meatballs in the skillet. This ricotta will melt and thicken the sauce beautifully. Next, add a generous layer of the remaining ¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese over all the ingredients. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of kosher salt. Gently stir each dollop of ricotta into the chicken stock a little bit, just enough to help it begin to incorporate and melt.

• 5. Bake to Perfection: Carefully transfer the skillet to your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 18 to 20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cherry tomatoes have shriveled slightly and released their sweetness, the cheese has melted into a bubbly, creamy sauce, and the chicken meatballs are cooked all the way through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Serve warm and enjoy!

Expert Recipe Tips for Success

Achieving the perfect Marry Me Chicken Meatballs is simple with a few helpful hints:

• Choose the Right Skillet: It is crucial to use a large, oven-safe skillet with a wide surface area, ideally a 12-inch skillet. This allows for even browning of the meatballs and provides ample space for the sauce to thicken properly as the cheese melts into the chicken stock. A cramped skillet can lead to uneven cooking and a less creamy sauce.
• Shredded Parmesan is Key: As mentioned in the ingredients, always opt for shredded Parmesan over grated. Grated varieties often contain anti-caking agents like cellulose, which prevent them from melting smoothly and can result in a clumpy, grainy sauce. Freshly shredded Parmesan, especially from a block, melts beautifully and adds superior flavor.
• Don’t Overcook During Browning: Remember that the initial browning of the meatballs on the stovetop is just to develop a nice crust and seal in juices. They will not be fully cooked at this stage. The meatballs will finish cooking thoroughly in the oven as they simmer in the rich sauce, ensuring they remain tender and moist.
• Avoid Overmixing Meatballs: When combining the meatball ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can activate the proteins in the ground chicken, resulting in dense, rubbery meatballs rather than light and tender ones.
• Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Always taste your sauce before transferring the skillet to the oven. You can adjust the salt and pepper to your liking. Remember that Parmesan cheese also adds a significant amount of saltiness.
• Uniform Meatball Size: Using a portion scoop helps ensure all your meatballs are roughly the same size. This promotes even cooking, so you don’t end up with some overcooked and some undercooked.

Serving Suggestions for Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

These Marry Me Chicken Meatballs are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with a variety of sides to create a complete and satisfying meal. Here are some delicious ideas:

• Pasta: Serve over your favorite pasta, such as linguine, tagliatelle, or even a short pasta like penne or rigatoni, to soak up all that creamy sauce.
• Rice: A bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or even a fragrant basmati rice is perfect for absorbing the rich sauce.
• Crusty Bread: Don’t forget a warm, crusty baguette or focaccia for dipping into the irresistible sauce.
• Mashed Potatoes or Polenta: Creamy mashed potatoes or soft polenta provide a comforting base that complements the hearty meatballs and sauce.
• Zucchini Noodles or Cauliflower Rice: For a lighter, low-carb option, serve the meatballs over spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
• Roasted Vegetables: A simple side of roasted asparagus, broccoli, or green beans would add more nutrients and a fresh crunch.
• Simple Salad: A light, crisp green salad with a vinaigrette dressing can cut through the richness of the dish.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

This recipe is fantastic for meal prepping or enjoying delicious leftovers. Here’s how to store and reheat your Marry Me Chicken Meatballs:

• Refrigeration: Transfer any leftover meatballs and sauce to an airtight container. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. In fact, many people find that the flavors meld and deepen overnight, making this dish taste even better on day two!
• Reheating: For best results, reheat leftovers in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop over medium-low heat until heated through. If reheating on the stovetop, you might need to add a splash of chicken stock or water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much.
• Freezing (Meatballs Only): If you want to prepare the meatballs ahead of time for future use, you can freeze them before cooking. Form the meatballs, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before browning and adding to the sauce as per the recipe.
• Freezing (Cooked Dish): While possible, freezing the fully cooked dish with the creamy sauce can sometimes alter the texture of the ricotta upon thawing. If you do freeze the cooked dish, thaw it completely in the refrigerator before gently reheating on the stovetop.

Variations to Try

Feel free to get creative and customize your Marry Me Chicken Meatballs:

• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce when you add the garlic for a subtle kick.
• Herb Boost: Fresh basil or oregano, added in the last few minutes of baking or as a garnish, would elevate the Mediterranean flavors.
• Different Greens: If spinach isn’t your favorite, kale or even finely chopped collard greens (cooked longer) could be used.
• Mushroom Magic: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the garlic for an earthy depth of flavor.
• Protein Swap: While chicken is classic for this recipe, you could experiment with ground turkey or a mix of ground pork and beef for different flavor profiles.
• Roasted Red Peppers: For an extra layer of sweetness and smoky flavor, stir in some chopped roasted red peppers along with the sun-dried tomatoes.