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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatballs & Spaghetti

Tender ground chicken meatballs are browned until golden, then simmered in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce made with chicken stock, heavy cream, tomato paste and Italian seasoning. Tossed with thin spaghetti, this cozy pasta dinner is creamy, savory and packed with garlic Parmesan flavor.
Print Recipe
Marry Me Chicken Meatballs
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes

Ingredients

Chicken Meatballs

  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1/3 cup panko
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Oil for frying

Garlic Parmesan Sauce

  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 pound thin spaghetti cooked

Instructions

  • Make the meatballs. In a large bowl, combine the meatball ingredients. Mix until everything is evenly combined, don't overtax.
  • Shape the meatballs. Scoop the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 tablespoon each. You should get roughly 25–30 meatballs.
  • Brown the meatballs. Heat a thin layer of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and mostly cooked through. Transfer the meatballs to a plate and set aside.
  • Start the sauce. Carefully wipe out any excess oil from the skillet, leaving some oil and browned bits behind. Return the skillet to medium heat and add the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  • Add the tomato paste. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently.
  • Build the sauce. Pour in the chicken stock, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
  • Finish the meatballs. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then return the meatballs to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
  • Add the pasta. Add the cooked thin spaghetti to the skillet and toss gently until the noodles are coated in the creamy Parmesan sauce. If the skillet is too crowded, transfer everything to a large bowl and toss there.
  • Serve. Spoon the creamy spaghetti onto plates and top with the chicken meatballs. Serve hot.
Servings: 4