Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Tangy buffalo sauce coating succulent chicken meatballs, a burst of spicy and savory goodness, perfect as an appetizer, snack, or main course, Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are an irresistible culinary creation, transforming the iconic buffalo wing flavor into a fun, bite-sized format. This is not just a simple meatball recipe; it’s a flavor-packed experience, combining the zest of buffalo wing sauce with the tenderness of chicken meatballs, creating a dish that is both incredibly easy to make and utterly addictive to devour. Imagine the mouthwatering aroma of buffalo sauce and baked chicken filling your kitchen, the vibrant red hue of the meatballs glistening invitingly, and the first bite delivering a perfect harmony of spicy, savory, and juicy flavors, promising a culinary adventure that is both quick to create and utterly delightful to share. This recipe is your secret weapon for game days, parties, or any occasion calling for bold and flavorful bites, bringing the irresistible appeal of Buffalo Chicken Meatballs to your table, ready to be devoured by everyone with their signature spicy kick and effortless preparation.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Party Appetizer

Embrace the crowd-pleasing nature of Buffalo Chicken Meatballs. These meatballs are the perfect appetizer for game day gatherings, parties, or any social event where you need a flavorful and easy-to-eat snack that is guaranteed to be a hit. Enjoy a recipe that is both fun to make and fun to eat, making it the ideal choice for entertaining and sharing with friends and family.

Incredibly Flavorful and Addictive

Indulge in the intensely flavorful experience of Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, a recipe that delivers the signature spicy and savory taste of buffalo wings in a convenient and satisfying meatball form. The combination of chicken, buffalo sauce, and seasonings creates an addictive flavor profile that will have everyone reaching for more. Savour the bold and irresistible taste that makes these meatballs so craveable, offering a truly flavour-packed culinary adventure.

Versatile for Appetizers, Mains, or Bowls

Discover the adaptable versatility of Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, a recipe that can be enjoyed in countless ways, from appetizers and snacks to main courses and bowl additions. Serve them on their own as finger food, alongside dipping sauces, or incorporate them into bowls, salads, or even sliders for a variety of meal options. Enjoy the flexibility to adapt this recipe to any occasion or meal plan, offering a truly versatile and customizable culinary creation.

Easy to Make and Bake, Not Fried

Appreciate the simplified preparation of Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, a recipe that is baked not fried, making it both easier and a touch lighter than traditional buffalo wings. Baking ensures even cooking and reduces the need for extensive oil, while still achieving a delicious and flavorful result. Enjoy a recipe that is both convenient and delicious, making it a perfect choice for busy cooks who value ease and flavour.

Customizable Spice Level to Your Preference

Explore the adjustable spice level of Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, a recipe that allows you to control the heat to suit your personal preference. Use mild, medium, or hot buffalo sauce to tailor the spiciness to your liking, ensuring everyone can enjoy these flavorful meatballs, from spice novices to heat seekers. Enjoy the flexibility to personalize the spice level and create meatballs that are perfectly suited to your individual taste, offering a truly customizable and inclusive culinary experience.

Ingredients

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For the Juicy and Flavorful Chicken Meatballs

• 1 lb ground chicken, lean ground chicken. Ground chicken forms the base of the meatballs, providing a lean and versatile protein that readily absorbs the buffalo sauce flavor. Lean ground chicken is recommended for a healthier option. Ensure to use halal certified chicken.
• ½ cup breadcrumbs, plain breadcrumbs, or panko breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs act as a binder in the meatballs, helping to hold their shape and absorb moisture, resulting in tender and cohesive meatballs. Plain or panko breadcrumbs can be used, panko offers a slightly coarser texture.
• ¼ cup onion, finely diced yellow onion. Finely diced yellow onion adds moisture and a subtle savory sweetness to the meatballs, enhancing their flavour and contributing to their overall texture. Finely dicing ensures even distribution and cooking.
• ¼ cup celery, finely diced celery stalk. Finely diced celery adds a subtle vegetal note and a touch of freshness to the meatballs, complementing the richness of the chicken and buffalo sauce. Finely dicing ensures even distribution and cooking.
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten large egg. Egg acts as a binder in the meatballs, helping to hold their shape and adding richness and moisture. A lightly beaten egg ensures even distribution throughout the meatball mixture.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced garlic cloves. Minced garlic is essential for flavour, providing a pungent and aromatic base that infuses the meatballs with savory goodness. Freshly minced garlic is crucial for the best flavour. Mince finely to release its aroma and flavour fully.
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley, dried parsley flakes. Dried parsley adds a subtle herbaceous note and a touch of freshness to the meatballs, enhancing their flavour profile. Dried parsley provides a convenient and readily available herb flavour.
• ½ teaspoon salt, kosher salt or sea salt. Salt is essential for seasoning the meatballs, enhancing all the flavours and preventing a bland taste. Kosher salt or sea salt are preferred for their pure flavour and even seasoning. Adjust to taste.
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground black pepper. Black pepper adds a touch of subtle spice and complexity, complementing the other seasonings and enhancing the overall flavour profile. Freshly ground black pepper is preferred for its more robust flavour.

For the Signature Buffalo Sauce Coating

• ½ cup buffalo wing sauce, your favorite brand, mild, medium, or hot. Buffalo wing sauce is the star ingredient, providing the signature tangy, spicy, and buttery flavour that defines Buffalo Chicken Meatballs. Choose your preferred heat level (mild, medium, or hot) to customize spiciness. Ensure the chosen sauce is halal certified.
• 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted butter, melted. Melted butter adds richness and enhances the buttery flavour of the buffalo sauce, creating a smoother and more decadent coating for the meatballs. Unsalted butter allows for better control over salt level.
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, (optional, for depth of flavor). Worcestershire sauce (ensure halal certified and no alcohol content) adds umami depth and complexity to the buffalo sauce, enhancing its savory flavour profile. Worcestershire sauce is optional but recommended for extra flavour depth.
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Garlic powder enhances the savory flavour of the buffalo sauce, complementing the minced garlic in the meatballs and adding a pungent aroma. Garlic powder provides a convenient way to boost garlic flavour.

Optional for Serving and Garnishing

• Blue cheese dressing, or ranch dressing, for dipping (optional). Blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing are classic dipping sauces for buffalo wings and meatballs, providing a cool and creamy contrast to the spicy buffalo sauce. Choose your preferred dipping sauce. Ensure the chosen dressing is halal certified and no alcohol content.
• Celery sticks, and carrot sticks, for serving (optional). Celery sticks and carrot sticks are traditional accompaniments to buffalo wings and meatballs, providing a refreshing and crunchy contrast to the rich and spicy dish. Fresh vegetables offer a light and healthy side.
• Fresh parsley, chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional). Chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to the finished dish, enhancing its visual appeal and adding a final touch of herbaceous flavour. Fresh parsley provides a simple and vibrant garnish.

How Make Buffalo Chicken Meatballs ?

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Meatball Mixture

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Preheat oven to the specified temperature to ensure even baking of the meatballs.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.

In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, diced onion, diced celery, egg, minced garlic, dried parsley, salt (for meatballs), and black pepper (for meatballs). Combine all meatball ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Use your hands to gently mix all ingredients until just combined. Gently mix ingredients until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can result in tough meatballs.

Do not overmix. Overmixing can lead to dense and dry meatballs. Mix just until ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 2: Form and Bake the Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Roll chicken mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs, about 24 meatballs. Roll chicken mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs, approximately 24 meatballs, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking.

Place meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart. Place meatballs on the parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart to allow for even baking and browning.

Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through and no longer pink inside. Bake in preheated oven until meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring food safety. Baking time may vary slightly depending on meatball size and oven.

Step 3: Make the Buffalo Sauce Coating

While meatballs are baking, prepare the buffalo sauce. Prepare sauce while meatballs are baking to save time.

In a medium saucepan, whisk together buffalo wing sauce, melted butter, Worcestershire sauce (if using), and garlic powder. In a medium saucepan, whisk together all buffalo sauce ingredients.

Heat over low heat until butter is melted and sauce is warmed through, stirring occasionally. Heat sauce over low heat until butter is melted and ingredients are warmed through and combined, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning. Low heat prevents sauce from scorching.

Remove sauce from heat and set aside. Remove warmed sauce from heat and set aside while meatballs finish baking.

Step 4: Toss Meatballs in Buffalo Sauce

Once meatballs are baked, remove from oven and transfer to the saucepan with buffalo sauce. Once meatballs are fully baked, remove from oven and transfer them directly to the saucepan with prepared buffalo sauce.

Gently toss meatballs in sauce to coat evenly. Gently toss meatballs in sauce to ensure they are thoroughly and evenly coated with the flavorful buffalo sauce.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Serve Buffalo Chicken Meatballs immediately, garnished with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately while warm and saucy for the best taste and texture. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for visual appeal and freshness, if desired.

Serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing, celery and carrot sticks, if desired. Serve with dipping sauces and vegetable sticks as classic accompaniments, if desired.

Enjoy each spicy, savory, and juicy bite.

Tips for Variations

Extra Spicy Fiery Heat

Use hot buffalo wing sauce and add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture for extra fiery heat. Hot buffalo sauce and cayenne pepper will significantly increase the spiciness of the meatballs.

Mildly Spiced Family Friendly Flavor

Use mild buffalo wing sauce and omit red pepper flakes for a milder, family-friendly version. Mild buffalo sauce and omitting red pepper flakes will reduce the spiciness for those sensitive to heat.

Cheesy Parmesan Meatball Indulgence

Add ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese to the meatball mixture for a cheesy and savory flavor boost. Parmesan cheese will add a salty, nutty, and umami-rich flavour to the meatballs.

Smoked Paprika Smoky Depth

Add ½ teaspoon smoked paprika to the meatball mixture for a subtle smoky flavour note. Smoked paprika will impart a subtle smoky depth to the meatballs, enhancing their savory profile.

Gluten-Free Breadcrumb Swap

Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour instead of regular breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version. Gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour are suitable substitutes for those with gluten sensitivities.

Serving Suggestions

Toothpick Appetizer Party Bites

Serve Buffalo Chicken Meatballs on toothpicks as easy-to-grab appetizers for parties and gatherings. Toothpicks make them convenient and mess-free finger food for parties.

Slider Buns Mini Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

Serve Buffalo Chicken Meatballs in mini slider buns with blue cheese dressing and shredded lettuce for mini buffalo chicken sandwiches. Slider buns create a fun and handheld meal option.

Salad Topper Protein Boost

Top a salad with sliced Buffalo Chicken Meatballs for a protein-packed and flavorful salad addition. Meatballs add protein and bold flavour to salads, making them a more substantial meal.

Grain Bowls Hearty Meal Addition

Add Buffalo Chicken Meatballs to grain bowls with rice, quinoa, or couscous, along with roasted vegetables and a drizzle of blue cheese or ranch dressing for a hearty and complete meal. Grain bowls create a balanced and satisfying meal with meatballs as the protein component.

Pizza Topping Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Slice Buffalo Chicken Meatballs and use them as a topping for homemade pizza with buffalo sauce and mozzarella cheese for a buffalo chicken pizza. Meatballs can be transformed into a pizza topping for a unique and flavourful pizza variation.

FAQ

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?

Yes, ground turkey can be substituted for ground chicken in this recipe. Ground turkey is a leaner alternative and will still absorb the buffalo sauce flavor well. Ground turkey offers a leaner protein option.

How do I prevent meatballs from drying out?

To prevent meatballs from drying out, do not overcook them. Bake until just cooked through and no longer pink, and ensure to add binders like breadcrumbs and egg to the mixture. Avoiding overbaking and using binders are key to tender meatballs.

Can I make Buffalo Chicken Meatballs ahead of time?

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs can be made ahead of time. Bake meatballs and store them separately from the sauce in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat meatballs and toss with warmed sauce just before serving. Making meatballs and sauce separately ahead of time maintains quality.

How long do Buffalo Chicken Meatballs stay fresh?

Leftover Buffalo Chicken Meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven, microwave, or skillet until heated through. Reheating in oven or skillet helps maintain texture better than microwave.

Can I freeze Buffalo Chicken Meatballs?

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs freeze well. Bake meatballs, let them cool completely, and freeze in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before tossing with warmed buffalo sauce. Freezing is a convenient way to store leftover meatballs for longer periods.

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