If you love buffalo chicken wings but want something easier and less messy, these Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are the perfect alternative. Juicy chicken meatballs are baked until tender, then tossed in spicy buffalo sauce for a bite-sized version of a game-day favorite.
They’re versatile enough to serve as a party appetizer, game-day snack, or even as a main dish with rice, pasta, or salad. Best of all, they’re baked—not fried—making them a little lighter without sacrificing flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted, for sauce)
Preparation Steps
Step 1: Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease.
Step 2: Mix Meatball Ingredients
- In a bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, green onions, garlic, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until combined.
Step 3: Shape the Meatballs
- Roll mixture into 1-inch balls (about 20–24 meatballs) and place on the baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until cooked through and golden. Internal temp should reach 165°F (74°C).
Step 5: Toss in Buffalo Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix buffalo sauce with melted butter. Toss baked meatballs in the sauce until fully coated.
Step 6: Serve
- Serve warm with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Variation
- Cheesy Meatballs: Add a cube of mozzarella cheese inside each meatball before baking.
- Low-Carb/Keto: Use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs.
- Extra Spicy: Use hot buffalo sauce or add cayenne pepper to the meat mixture.
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders: Serve meatballs in slider buns with ranch drizzle.
Cooking Notes
- Don’t overmix the meat mixture—this keeps meatballs tender.
- Baking instead of frying makes them lighter and less greasy.
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized meatballs.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with celery and carrot sticks, just like classic wings.
- Pair with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
- Great as a party appetizer or served over pasta, rice, or in a sub roll.
Tips
- Double the recipe for larger parties—it’s a crowd favorite.
- Keep warm in a slow cooker with extra buffalo sauce for serving at gatherings.
- Use lean ground chicken for the best texture (not ground chicken breast only).
Prep Time / Cooking Time / Total Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: ~35 minutes
Nutritional Info (per serving, approx. 4 servings, 5 meatballs each)
- Calories: 310
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 9g
- Fat: 19g
- Sodium: 890mg
FAQs
Q1: Can I make Buffalo Chicken Meatballs ahead of time?
- Yes, bake them ahead and reheat in buffalo sauce before serving.
Q2: Can I freeze these meatballs?
- Yes, freeze cooked meatballs (without sauce) for up to 2 months. Reheat and toss in sauce when ready.
Q3: Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
- Yes, ground turkey works perfectly with the same seasoning.
Q4: How do I make them less spicy?
- Use a mild buffalo sauce or cut the sauce with more melted butter.
Q5: Can I cook these in a slow cooker?
- Yes, bake meatballs first, then keep them warm in buffalo sauce in the crockpot for parties.
Conclusion
These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are juicy, spicy, and downright addictive—everything you love about buffalo wings in an easier, bite-sized form. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or family dinners, they’re quick to make, full of flavor, and guaranteed to be a hit with buffalo chicken lovers.