If you’re looking for a dinner that feels fancy but is secretly simple, the Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Risoni Recipe is your new secret weapon. Imagine tender, flavor-packed chicken meatballs nestled in a dreamy sun-dried tomato cream sauce, all coming together around plump and satisfying risoni (orzo) pasta. The rich flavors, the cozy creaminess, the vibrant pops of color—there’s just so much to love about this dish. Whether you’re impressing a date or feeding your hungry family, this is one recipe that always delivers excitement. Let’s dive in and make this meal a shining star at your table!

Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Risoni Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this dish lies in just how approachable and flavorful each ingredient is. Every element, from Parmesan to sun-dried tomatoes, brings a layer of taste, texture, or color that makes the Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Risoni Recipe completely irresistible.

Ground chicken: Lean but juicy, this creates tender, flavorful meatballs ready to soak up all that sauce.
Grated Parmesan cheese: Mixed into the meatballs and the sauce for depth, richness, and a subtle salty bite.
Breadcrumbs: Help bind the meatballs while keeping them light and moist.
Egg: Holds everything together, ensuring perfect, never-falling-apart meatballs.
Garlic cloves (minced): Doubled up in the meatballs and the sauce for plenty of savory aroma and flavor.
Onion powder: Adds an undercurrent of sweetness and complexity to the meatball mix.
Dried oregano: Classic Italian vibes, giving the meatballs a herby lift.
Salt: Just the right amount to bring out every ingredient’s best qualities.
Black pepper: A hint of heat and earthiness rounds out the flavors.
Olive oil: For browning the meatballs and building up those delicious fond in your skillet.
Risoni (orzo): The tiny pasta soaks up the silky sauce perfectly, making every bite creamy and comforting.
Sun-dried tomatoes (chopped): Provide sweet, tangy, chewy bursts of flavor in every forkful.
Red pepper flakes (optional): For those who love a gentle kick of warmth.
More garlic (minced): Because there’s no such thing as too much garlic in this recipe!
Chicken broth: Infuses the risoni with savory depth and moisture as it cooks.
Heavy cream: Brings dreamy richness to the sauce, making it utterly spoon-worthy.
Parmesan cheese (again): Melts into the sauce for extra creaminess and flavor.
Dried thyme: Adds a note of earthiness that beautifully complements the sun-dried tomatoes.
Dried basil: Echoes the fresh basil garnish and ties all the herby elements together.
Salt (again): For seasoning the sauce—don’t skip the final taste test.
Baby spinach: Wilted in at the end, it adds fresh color and a nutrient boost.
Chopped fresh basil (for garnish): Scattered on top for a fragrant, lively finish that wakes up every bite.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Risoni Recipe

Step 1: Mix and Shape the Chicken Meatballs

Start by grabbing your biggest bowl and combine ground chicken, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything gently—overworking can make meatballs tough—then form into bite-sized balls about an inch across. This blend of cheese, herbs, and spices sets up each meatball to burst with flavor and stay super moist.

Step 2: Sear the Meatballs

Heat the olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Arrange the meatballs in a single layer (you might need to work in batches), and cook, turning as needed, until they’re golden brown and cooked through. This usually takes 8 to 10 minutes. Once they’re beautifully browned, transfer them to a plate and set aside—they’ll finish their journey in a luscious sauce soon!

Step 3: Build the Flavorful Risoni Base

Without wiping out the skillet, add your risoni, sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes (if using), and the extra minced garlic. Sauté for a quick 1 to 2 minutes—this step unlocks deeper flavor and toasts the pasta just a bit, building a savory base that’s completely addicting. You’ll start to smell the deliciousness coming together right away.

Step 4: Simmer the Risoni

Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until the risoni becomes tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. The pasta drinks up every drop of that broth, ensuring each orzo grain is packed with savory, comforting flavor.

Step 5: Create the Creamy Sauce

Now it’s time for magic: Add the heavy cream, more Parmesan, thyme, basil, and salt to the skillet. Stir gently and marvel as the sauce thickens and becomes ultra-creamy. This is the perfect cozy canvas for your meatballs to shine!

Step 6: Simmer Meatballs and Wilt the Spinach

Return the meatballs to the skillet and let them bathe in the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes, just until they’re hot all the way through. Then, stir in the baby spinach and let it wilt in the heat of the pan. The result: a pan of vibrant green, creamy, tomato-flecked goodness that just begs to be scooped straight to the plate.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Right before serving, shower the entire dish with a flurry of chopped fresh basil. The fresh herbs add a burst of brightness, making your Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Risoni Recipe restaurant-worthy and utterly irresistible.

How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Risoni Recipe

Garnishes

The finishing touches are more than just pretty—they truly elevate the experience. A sprinkle of chopped fresh basil gives each plate a burst of herbal aroma, while a little extra Parmesan dusted on top melts deliciously into the warm sauce. Don’t be afraid to add a twist of black pepper or a few more red pepper flakes for guests who appreciate a subtle kick.

Side Dishes

This dish is almost a complete meal on its own, but it pairs perfectly with a crisp green salad or a warm, crusty slice of sourdough bread. You can soak up every bit of sauce, while the fresh greens balance out the richness. If you’re feeling fancy, a glass of chilled white wine takes this Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Risoni Recipe right over the top.

Creative Ways to Present

For an extra-special dinner, spoon the meatballs and risoni into shallow bowls and let the vivid colors do the talking. For a romantic touch (true to the “marry me” name), serve on your prettiest plates and garnish with edible flowers or microgreens alongside the basil. You can even present the whole skillet family-style at the center of the table—let everyone dig in!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you end up with leftovers, you’re in luck—this dish tastes just as wonderful the next day. Once the Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Risoni Recipe cools, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors meld even more overnight, making each bite extra satisfying.

Freezing

Both the meatballs and risoni freeze like a dream. Cool the dish completely, then package portions in freezer-safe containers or bags. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. For best results, try freezing the meatballs and sauce separately from the risoni to maintain texture, but it also works together in a pinch.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream if needed to loosen the sauce. If reheating from frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight first. The key is to heat slowly and stir often, so everything stays creamy and the chicken meatballs remain juicy.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a perfect swap for chicken in this recipe. It gives a similar lean and tender result, so your Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Risoni Recipe will still turn out flavorful and comforting.

What’s the best way to chop sun-dried tomatoes?

If your sun-dried tomatoes are packed in oil, simply drain and pat them dry before chopping. Use kitchen scissors or a sharp knife to slice them into small pieces—this ensures they distribute evenly throughout the risoni for maximum flavor.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! You can use coconut cream in place of heavy cream and either omit the Parmesan or use a dairy-free cheese alternative. The Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Risoni Recipe will still have an incredible creamy texture and rich flavor.

What’s the difference between risoni and orzo?

They’re actually the same thing! “Risoni” and “orzo” are interchangeable terms for the same small, rice-shaped pasta. Use whichever is available to you for the same delicious result in this recipe.

Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Definitely. Shape and sear the meatballs a day or two ahead, then refrigerate until you’re ready to assemble the full dish. This can be a big time saver when preparing the Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Risoni Recipe for a weeknight or special dinner.

Final Thoughts

I truly can’t recommend this Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Risoni Recipe enough—it’s one of those special meals that feels both cozy and impressive every single time. Give it a try and see just how quickly it disappears from your table. You just might find yourself wanting to make it again and again!

Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Risoni Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 30 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the delightful flavors of Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Risoni. These tender chicken meatballs are simmered in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce and served with orzo pasta for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Meatballs:

1 pound ground chicken
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Risoni with Creamy Tomato Sauce:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup risoni (orzo)
3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups baby spinach
Chopped fresh basil for garnish

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Instructions

Prepare Chicken Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Form into 1-inch meatballs.
Cook Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook meatballs until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside.
Make Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté risoni, sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Add chicken broth and simmer until risoni is tender.
Finish Dish: Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, thyme, basil, and salt. Return meatballs, simmer briefly, then add spinach. Garnish with basil before serving.