Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser that brings heat and flavor, buffalo chicken meatballs should be on your radar. These bites pack a spicy punch and are satisfyingly tender.
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Servings: 15 Servings
Calories: 90kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ cup buffalo sauce divided
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup finely diced carrots
- ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions plus extra for garnish
- ⅓ cup almond flour or ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Blue cheese dressing or ranch plus blue cheese crumbles, for serving
- Celery sticks and carrot sticks for serving (optional)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional, for a subtle smoky depth
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley optional, for an herby touch
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
- First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that your meatballs start cooking immediately when popped inside.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, ¼ cup of buffalo sauce, egg, finely diced carrots, green onions, almond flour or panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and optional ingredients if you fancy.
- Don’t forget to check for any hidden ninja carrots sneaking in there. It’s time to get your hands dirty—mix everything well until fully incorporated.
Step 3: Shape the Meatballs
- Now that your mixture is ready, take a handful of the chicken mixture and shape it into 1½-inch meatballs. You should end up with roughly 20 meatballs. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet evenly spaced apart.
Step 4: Bake the Meatballs
- Once shaped, place the baking sheet in your preheated oven. Let the meatballs bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C). The outside will become a beautiful golden brown.
Step 5: Toss in Sauce
- When the meatballs are cooked through, take them out of the oven. Drizzle the remaining ¼ cup of buffalo sauce over the meatballs, gently tossing them to coat.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
- Serve the buffalo chicken meatballs warm. Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles, fresh green onions, and prepare for compliments. Don’t forget those celery and carrot sticks on the side!
Notes
Here are some handy tips to keep in mind as you whip up your buffalo chicken meatballs:
- Keep the mixture cool: If the ground chicken mixture gets too warm, it can turn mushy. Working quickly helps maintain the right texture.
- Use quality sauce: Your buffalo sauce can make or break these meatballs. Opt for a brand that you love or make your own for a personal touch.
- Test a meatball: Before baking all your meatballs, consider cooking one in a skillet to taste-test. Adjust flavors if necessary.
- Don’t skip the baking: Baking keeps the meatballs tender. Frying can yield more grease and alter the texture.
- Experiment with flavors: Feel free to adjust seasonings as per your taste. Want more heat? Add more buffalo sauce or go for a hotter sauce.