Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
These baked Buffalo chicken meatballs feature ground chicken, Buffalo sauce, garlic, vegetables, and buttery heat—ideal as an appetizer or main dish.
4 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 to 1½ pounds ground chicken
- ½ cup Buffalo sauce divided
- ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup finely diced celery
- ¼ cup finely diced carrots
- ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions plus additional for garnish
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing for serving
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and cleanup.
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, ¼ cup of the Buffalo sauce, panko breadcrumbs, celery, carrots, green onions, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Form the Meatballs
- Using a cookie scoop or your hands, shape the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs. Arrange them evenly on the prepared baking sheet. This recipe yields approximately 20–24 meatballs.
Bake
- Place the meatballs in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until they are lightly browned and fully cooked through. The internal temperature should register 165°F (75°C) when measured with a meat thermometer.
Prepare the Sauce
- While the meatballs are baking, combine the remaining ¼ cup of Buffalo sauce with the butter in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring continuously, until the butter is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
Coat the Meatballs
- Remove the meatballs from the oven and transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the prepared Buffalo sauce mixture over the meatballs and gently toss to coat evenly.
Serve
- Serve the meatballs warm, garnished with additional green onions if desired. Accompany with blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping.
Notes
To prepare this recipe gluten-free, substitute the panko breadcrumbs with certified gluten-free panko or crushed gluten-free crackers. Additionally, verify that your chosen Buffalo sauce and dipping sauce are labeled gluten-free, as ingredients may vary by brand.