Looking for the ultimate crowd-pleaser with a spicy kick? This Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe is my go-to when I want to bring bold, tangy flavor to any gathering—whether it’s game day, a family get-together, or just a fun dinner at home. Juicy chicken meatballs meet fiery buffalo sauce, all mellowed by a creamy dip on the side. If you love classic buffalo wings but crave something easier (and less messy!), these irresistible bites will steal the show.

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This vibrant dish is so much more than the sum of its parts! Every ingredient in this Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe is handpicked for flavor, texture, or a pop of color. Trust me—don’t skip a thing, because even the smallest additions make each bite memorable.

Ground Chicken: Lean yet juicy, chicken is the perfect canvas for that spicy buffalo flavor.
Breadcrumbs: Help bind everything together for tender, cohesive meatballs—gluten-free works too!
Celery (finely chopped): Adds a cooling crunch reminiscent of classic buffalo wing pairings.
Green Onion (finely chopped): Brings mild oniony zing and a dash of fresh green color.
Egg: Essential for binding the meatballs together, ensuring they don’t fall apart.
Garlic Powder: Gives that savory backbone every great meatball needs.
Onion Powder: Adds subtle sweetness and depth to the overall flavor.
Salt: Highlights every other ingredient—don’t underestimate its power.
Black Pepper: For a gentle heat that backs up the buffalo sauce.
Unsalted Butter: Blended with buffalo sauce for that silky, classic coating.
Buffalo Wing Sauce: The star of the show—choose your favorite for flavor and heat level.
Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing: For dipping, dolloping, or drizzling—soothing and creamy.
Chopped Parsley or Green Onion (optional): A sprinkle adds freshness and visual flair at the finish.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—trust me, it makes cleanup a breeze and keeps your meatballs from sticking or over-browning. While the oven is heating, get your ingredients ready and organized so assembling everything feels effortless.

Step 2: Mix the Meatball Ingredients

In a large bowl, add your ground chicken, breadcrumbs, finely chopped celery, green onion, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands or a wooden spoon, just until everything is combined. Overmixing can make the meatballs dense, so stop as soon as those flecks of green are evenly scattered throughout. This Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe is all about tender, juicy results!

Step 3: Form the Meatballs

Using your hands, form the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs—you should get about 20. Try to keep them uniform so they cook evenly. Place each one on your prepared baking sheet, giving them a little space so they roast rather than steam.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Cooked Through

Slide your tray into the hot oven and bake for 16 to 18 minutes. The meatballs will become golden and will firm up nicely. You’re looking for an internal temp of 165°F—if you don’t have a thermometer, just slice one open to check for doneness. The aroma at this point is absolute heaven!

Step 5: Make the Buffalo Sauce

While the meatballs are baking, grab a small saucepan and melt your unsalted butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and bubbly, stir in your favorite buffalo wing sauce. Let it warm through until the mixture is silky and combined—this smooth, fiery blend is what brings the Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe to life.

Step 6: Toss and Serve

As soon as your meatballs are finished baking, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour over the warm buffalo sauce and gently toss until every meatball is fully coated and glistening. Serve immediately with your choice of ranch or blue cheese dressing for the ultimate cooling contrast.

How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Garnishes

Don’t underestimate the finishing touches! A scatter of chopped parsley or extra sliced green onions gives your platter a burst of color and a little extra bite. If you really want to channel those buffalo wing vibes, add crumbled blue cheese or a few celery leaves for that classic look.

Side Dishes

Pair these meatballs with crisp veggie sticks (hello, celery and carrot batons!), a crunchy green salad, or even sweet potato fries. For heartier eats, tuck them inside slider buns or spoon them over rice—this Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe flexes easily for snacks or a full-on dinner.

Creative Ways to Present

Try threading each meatball onto a toothpick with a sliver of celery or carrot for portable bites at your next party. Or, arrange them on a platter drizzled with extra buffalo sauce and tucked next to a bowl of creamy dressing. For an unexpected twist, set them out as a build-your-own meatball sub bar—everyone can customize their perfect sandwich!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Have extras? Pop them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. They’ll stay moist and full of flavor—perfect for quick snacks, lunchboxes, or topping salads the next day.

Freezing

If you want to get ahead, bake and cool the meatballs completely, but wait to toss in buffalo sauce. Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, reheat, then coat in warm sauce just before serving—this keeps them tasting fresh and lively.

Reheating

For best flavor and texture, reheat meatballs in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or briefly microwave them if you’re short on time. If reheating from frozen, add a few extra minutes. Gently re-toss with buffalo sauce if needed to bring back their glossy, spicy coating.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Ground turkey works beautifully in this Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe and will soak up all that spicy buffalo flavor just as well. The result will be just as juicy and crowd-pleasing.

Is there a way to make it less spicy?

Of course—simply choose a milder buffalo sauce, or use less than called for and add melted butter to tame the heat. Serving with plenty of creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing helps cool things down, too.

Can I air-fry these meatballs?

Definitely! Air-fry at 400°F for around 12-14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. They’ll get even crispier on the outside before you toss them in buffalo sauce.

Are these gluten-free?

The recipe can be gluten-free if you use gluten-free breadcrumbs. Double-check your buffalo sauce and ranch/blue cheese dressing labels to be sure, and you’re good to go!

What’s the best way to serve at a party?

For ultimate party ease, keep the sauced meatballs warm in a slow cooker on the “keep warm” setting, and set out toothpicks alongside ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. They’ll stay hot and delicious for hours, making this Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe a total win for entertaining.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving big flavor, easy prep, and lots of smiles around your table, you’ve got to give this Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe a spin. It’s spicy, savory, and so much fun to eat—just the kind of dish everyone comes back for seconds (and thirds!). Whip up a batch and watch them disappear!

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe

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4.9 from 11 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 20 meatballs 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are a spicy twist on a classic appetizer, perfect for game day or any gathering. Made with ground chicken, celery, green onion, and a flavorful blend of seasonings, these baked meatballs are tossed in a tangy buffalo sauce for a delicious kick. Serve with creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

1 pound ground chicken
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup finely chopped green onion
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For Serving:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving
Chopped parsley or green onion for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, celery, green onion, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined—do not overmix. Form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs: Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until cooked through and golden.
Make the buffalo sauce: While the meatballs are baking, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in buffalo wing sauce and heat through.
Coat the meatballs: Once the meatballs are done, transfer them to a bowl and toss with the warm buffalo sauce until fully coated.
Serve: Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing and garnish with chopped parsley or green onion if desired.