Swoon-Worthy “Marry Me Chicken Meatball Orzo” Recipe

Creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor, this marry me chicken meatball orzo recipe promises to steal hearts at the dinner table.

Tender chicken meatballs nestle into a rich, velvety sauce that sings with Mediterranean herbs and spices.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of textures and zesty notes that dance across your palate.

The orzo provides a delightful backdrop, absorbing all the luxurious sauce and complementing the juicy meatballs.

Parmesan cheese adds a salty depth that elevates the entire dish from simple to spectacular.

Fresh basil and a hint of red pepper flakes bring brightness and a subtle kick to this irresistible meal.

You won’t be able to resist seconds of this show-stopping recipe that’s sure to become a weeknight favorite.

Marry Me Chicken Meatball Orzo: Top Features

• Craft with Ease: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal without complicated techniques, making it perfect for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Comfort Meets Excitement: Creamy orzo and juicy chicken meatballs create a delightful flavor combination that feels both familiar and gourmet, satisfying comfort food cravings.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimal cleanup and straightforward cooking process mean you can enjoy a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen or washing multiple pots and pans.
• Family Dinner Champion: Packed with kid-friendly flavors and protein-rich ingredients, this dish appeals to both adults and children, making mealtime a stress-free experience.

What Goes in Chicken Meatball Orzo

• Ground Chicken: A lean and versatile protein that provides the main structure for the meatballs.
• Egg: Helps bind the meatballs together and adds moisture to the mixture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich flavor and helps hold the meatballs together.

• Dried Basil, Dried Oregano, Salt, Black Pepper: These seasonings provide depth and classic Italian-inspired flavor to the meatballs.
• Garlic Powder: Enhances the overall savory profile of the meatballs.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Provides rich flavor and helps with cooking the meatballs and creating the sauce base.
• Yellow Onion, Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and foundational flavor to the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a flavorful liquid base for the sauce.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Brings a tangy and slightly sweet element to the sauce.
• Cream Cheese: Adds creaminess and helps thicken the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Provides a luxurious, smooth texture to the dish.
• Orzo Pasta: A small, rice-shaped pasta that absorbs the sauce beautifully.
• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Adds extra creaminess and a cheesy finish to the dish.

• Fresh Parsley, Cherry Tomatoes: Provides a fresh, bright finish to the dish.

Directions for Chicken Meatball Orzo Perfection

Step 1: Create Delectable Chicken Meatballs

Grab ground chicken and mix it with a cracked egg, grated parmesan cheese, chopped fresh herbs, and a blend of seasonings.

Gently roll the mixture into 16 perfectly shaped meatballs using slightly greased hands to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Sear Meatballs to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Carefully place meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until they develop a beautiful golden brown exterior and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

This typically takes about 8-10 minutes.

Transfer cooked meatballs to a covered plate to keep warm.

Step 3: Craft Aromatic Sauce Base

Using the same skillet, melt butter and sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until they become soft and fragrant.

Pour in chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 4: Build Creamy Sauce Layer

Introduce diced tomatoes, cream cheese, and additional seasonings to the skillet.

Stir continuously until cream cheese melts completely and creates a smooth, rich sauce.

Add orzo and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 5: Cook Pasta to Creamy Consistency

Cover the skillet and let the orzo simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

During the last 5 minutes of cooking, sprinkle in shredded mozzarella and additional parmesan cheese, stirring to incorporate.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Gently return the golden meatballs to the skillet, allowing them to warm through in the creamy sauce.

Let the dish rest for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and halved cherry tomatoes for a burst of color and freshness.

Kitchen Tips for Tender Meatballs and Creamy Orzo

• Lightly grease hands with oil before shaping chicken meatballs to stop mixture from sticking.
• Use freshly grated parmesan instead of pre-packaged cheese for richer, more authentic taste.
• Stir orzo occasionally during cooking to prevent clumping and ensure even heat distribution.
• Add extra broth if sauce becomes too thick, maintaining creamy and smooth texture.
• Replace ground chicken with ground turkey for similar lean protein option without changing recipe structure.

Unique Ways to Change Up Meatball Orzo

• Vegetarian Orzo Delight: Replace chicken meatballs with plant-based lentil or chickpea meatballs, using similar herbs and seasonings for a protein-packed alternative.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Swap orzo with cauliflower rice or quinoa, ensuring the dish remains creamy and satisfying while accommodating gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream instead of cream cheese, nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor, and almond milk to create a rich sauce without dairy products.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Add red pepper flakes, swap some herbs for oregano and za'atar, incorporate sun-dried tomatoes for an intense Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.

How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Meatball Orzo

• Cozy Family Dinner: Serve this hearty dish with a crisp green salad and warm garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Romantic Date Night: Plate individually with extra fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and pair with a light white wine for an elegant presentation.
• Meal Prep Champion: Store leftovers in airtight containers for 3-4 days, reheat gently with a splash of broth to maintain creamy texture.
• Crowd-Pleaser Gathering: Double the recipe for potlucks, sprinkle extra parmesan on top, and watch guests come back for seconds.

Storing Orzo and Meatballs

• Store any remaining Marry Me Chicken Meatball Orzo in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled meatballs and orzo to a freezer-safe container, keeping them fresh for up to 2 months.
• Warm the dish in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out.
• Stir carefully when reheating to maintain the creamy sauce's smooth consistency and prevent ingredients from breaking apart.

FAQs

• What type of ground meat works best for these meatballs?

Ground chicken is ideal, but you can substitute ground turkey for a similar lean protein option. Ensure the meat is fresh and has enough fat content to keep meatballs moist.

• Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare meatballs up to 24 hours in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator and cook when ready to assemble the dish. This helps develop deeper flavor and saves time during meal preparation.

• How do I prevent meatballs from becoming dry?

Use a combination of egg, cheese, and herbs to add moisture. Avoid overcooking by checking the internal temperature reaches 165F. Let meatballs rest briefly after cooking to retain juiciness.

Marry Me Chicken Meatball Orzo Recipe

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4.5 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent marry me chicken meatball orzo brings Italian-inspired comfort straight to dinner tables with Mediterranean charm. Rich herbed meatballs nestled in creamy orzo promise a romantic culinary experience you’ll savor with every delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein Base:

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped yellow onion

Binding and Seasoning:

• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (25g)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons whole milk
• 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs (27g)

Cooking Fat:

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, for frying

Pasta Base:

• 1 cup orzo pasta (112g)
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth (600g)
• 1 small yellow onion, diced

Dairy and Cream:

• 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream (357g)
• 1/2 package (4 oz) cream cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (50g)
• 1/2 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese (57g)
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (57g)
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, softened
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Garnish:

• Chopped parsley
• Additional sun-dried tomatoes

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Instructions

1. Prepare meatball mixture by blending ground chicken with egg, grated cheese, finely chopped herbs, and fragrant seasonings. Gently shape into 16 uniform meatballs using lightly oiled palms.
2. Heat olive oil in large skillet and carefully brown meatballs until golden, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F, approximately 8-10 minutes. Transfer to covered plate.
3. Using same skillet, melt butter and sauté finely diced onions with minced garlic until translucent. Pour chicken broth, scraping accumulated browned fragments from pan surface.
4. Incorporate diced tomatoes, softened cream cheese, and complementary seasonings. Stir until cream cheese dissolves completely. Add orzo and heavy cream, bringing mixture to gentle simmer.
5. Cover skillet and allow orzo to cook, stirring periodically, for 12-15 minutes. Introduce shredded cheeses during final 5 minutes of cooking, creating rich, creamy texture.
6. Reintroduce meatballs into skillet, warming them thoroughly. Allow dish to rest 5 minutes, enabling sauce to thicken naturally. Garnish with fresh parsley and halved cherry tomatoes before serving.

Notes

• Use freshly grated Parmesan for richer flavor and better melting compared to pre-shredded cheese.
• Pat ground chicken dry before mixing to prevent soggy meatballs and ensure better browning.
• For gluten-free version, substitute orzo with cauliflower rice or gluten-free pasta alternative.
• Enhance protein content by adding extra lean ground chicken or mixing with ground turkey for variety.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 1130mg
• Fat: 34g
• Saturated Fat: 19g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 29g
• Cholesterol: 150mg