These Marry Me Chicken Meatballs are everything you want from a healthy comfort food recipe—rich, creamy, and packed with protein. You probably have heard of the viral “marry me” sauce, and this dish is inspired after it. For a healthy twist, these meatballs are baked rather than fried, and the light coconut milk in the sauce keeps it creamy without being heavy. Serve them over pasta, mashed potatoes, or, as suggested here, a smooth and flavourful butter bean mash for an extra boost of fibre and plant-based protein.
This is a perfect meal for meal prep, dinner with friends, or even a cosy date night at home. Serve it with mashed butter beans for an extra hit of fibre and plant-based protein, or spoon it over pasta or mash for the ultimate comfort bowl. These meatballs freeze well too, so you can keep a batch ready for busy evenings.
Chicken Meatballs VS Traditional Beef Meatballs
When most people think of meatballs, they picture the traditional beef version—rich, hearty, and often quite heavy. These chicken meatballs offer a lighter, leaner alternative without compromising on flavour. Chicken mince has less saturated fat than beef, making it a great option if you’re looking to reduce red meat in your diet or keep meals lighter on the stomach. While chicken mince can sometimes turn out dry due to its lower fat content, this recipe keeps things juicy with a flavour-packed thanks to the amazing Marry me sauce! It’s also high in protein and takes on flavours beautifully, which is why these meatballs work so well with garlic, parmesan, and herbs. You still get that juicy, satisfying bite—but with a fresher feel and a nourishing twist.
Pair with
Butter bean mash: A wholesome alternative to regular mash—high in fibre and naturally creamy, here is the recipe Silky Butter Bean Mash
With pasta: Try wholewheat or lentil penne for more protein and fibre.
On toast: Perfect for leftovers—serve warm meatballs and sauce on sourdough for a hearty lunch.
With rice or quinoa: Great for meal prep boxes.
Tips
- Lightly oil your hands before rolling the meatballs—this makes shaping easier and less sticky.
- Make a double batch and freeze half for a future meal.
- For extra depth of flavour, sauté the garlic before adding the sauce ingredients.
- Don’t skip the spinach—it adds fibre and colour to the dish.
- Pair with a high-fibre mash like butter beans for a balanced meal.
Swaps
Chicken mince: Ground turkey or lean beef also work well—just keep the seasoning the same.
Parmesan: Can be replaced with grana padano, pecorino, or a dairy-free alternative.
Coconut milk: Swap with single cream or oat cream for a different finish.
Sundried tomatoes: If you don’t have them, roasted red peppers can be a nice alternative.
Storage
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze meatballs (with or without sauce) in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Reheat in a pan or microwave until hot throughout.
More Comforting Dinner Ideas
Marry Me Chicken Meat Balls
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 500 g chicken mince
- 30 g Parmesan cheese
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt and pepper
For the sauce
- 6 sundried tomatoes chopped
- 1 can of light coconut milk
- 30 g Parmesan cheese
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt and pepper
- 2 handful spinach
Instructions
- In a bowl add the meatballs ingredients and mix *
- Roll the chicken mix into meatballs and place on a baking tray, with some baking paper on it.
- Bake at 200C for 20 mins.
- Meantime prepare the “Marry me” sauce: in a large pan add all the sauce ingredients and mix. When it starts bubbling add the baked meatballs and spinach.
- Cook until the spinach goes soft, it should take 1 minute.
- Serve with your favourite pasta, potato mash or like I did, on butter beans mash.