Indulge in the comforting flavors of "Smells Like Sunday Chicken Fricassee with Meatballs," a soul-warming dish perfect for family dinners. This recipe combines tender, golden-browned chicken thighs and savory homemade beef meatballs in a rich, creamy sauce infused with aromatic garlic, thyme, and bay leaves. A medley of sautéed onions, carrots, and celery adds heartiness and depth, while a splash of heavy cream ties everything together in velvety perfection. Perfectly designed for a leisurely Sunday meal, this rustic one-pot wonder pairs beautifully with crusty bread, fluffy mashed potatoes, or a bed of rice to soak up every drop of its luxurious sauce. With just 25 minutes of prep, this dish delivers gourmet-level comfort without the fuss—making it your new go-to for cozy, crowd-pleasing dinners.
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In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix until well combined. Shape into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and set aside.
Season the chicken thighs with the remaining salt and black pepper on both sides.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs skin-side down until golden, about 4-5 minutes. Flip and cook the other side for another 4 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides, about 3-4 minutes. Remove and set them aside with the chicken.
Lower the heat to medium and add the onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well to coat evenly. Cook for 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer and add the bay leaves and thyme.
Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, skin-side up, along with the meatballs. Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer over medium-low heat for 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 5-7 minutes to thicken slightly.
Sprinkle the dish with fresh parsley before serving. Serve hot with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Serving size | (2857.6g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 4250.5 |
Total Fat 323.4g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 123.0g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.9g | |
Cholesterol 1286.6mg | 0% |
Sodium 6921.0mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate 98.2g | 0% |
Dietary Fiber 11.9g | 0% |
Total Sugars 19.6g | |
Protein 227.9g | 0% |
Vitamin D 53.8IU | 0% |
Calcium 732.6mg | 0% |
Iron 25.0mg | 0% |
Potassium 4710.9mg | 0% |
Source of Calories