30 Minute Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe
This 30 Minute Buffalo Chicken Meatballs recipe offers a quick and flavorful appetizer or main dish featuring tender ground chicken meatballs coated in tangy buffalo sauce, baked to perfection and served with creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing. Ideal for game day or a casual dinner, these meatballs balance spicy and savory flavors with crunchy vegetables like celery and carrot, making them both delicious and nutritious.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg (lightly beaten)
- 1 small carrot (finely grated)
- 1 stick celery (minced)
- 2 green onions (minced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp kosher sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Sauce and Serving
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce (such as Frank’s Buffalo Sauce)
- 3 tablespoons ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a standard baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat and set it aside to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, and lightly beaten egg. Let the panko soak for 5 minutes in the egg mixture. Then add the finely grated carrot, minced celery, minced green onions, minced garlic, paprika, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Mix gently using your hands or a spatula until just combined to avoid dense meatballs.
- Shape Meatballs: Using a spoon or a standard cookie scoop, form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs. Place them onto the prepared baking sheet, spaced evenly to allow for baking.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until fully cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Toss in Buffalo Sauce: Remove the cooked meatballs from the oven and transfer them to a bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over the meatballs and gently toss to evenly coat them with the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the buffalo chicken meatballs immediately, drizzled with ranch or blue cheese dressing, and garnish with extra minced green onions if desired for added freshness and flavor.
Notes
- To ensure the meatballs stay tender, avoid overmixing the ingredients.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for doneness to keep them juicy and safe.
- For a spicier kick, add extra buffalo sauce or include cayenne pepper in the meat mixture.
- These meatballs can be made ahead and reheated in the oven or air fryer for convenience.
- Serve with celery sticks and extra dipping sauces for a classic buffalo experience.
Keywords: Buffalo chicken meatballs, quick appetizer, baked chicken meatballs, buffalo sauce, party finger food