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Easy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs: Perfect Game Day Appetizer

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These Easy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are the ultimate game day snack—quick, delicious, and perfect for sharing. Made with ground chicken, a secret ingredient for moisture, and coated in a tangy buffalo sauce, they come together in about 30 minutes and are sure to disappear fast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground chicken (93/7 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs (panko or gluten-free work)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup finely diced celery
  • 2 green onions, finely sliced (white and light green parts only)
  • 1/3 cup buffalo hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot Original)
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/3 cup buffalo hot sauce (for coating)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
  • Ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing (for serving)
  • Celery sticks and carrot sticks (for serving)
  • Fresh chives or green onion tops, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. If you have a cooling rack, place it on top of the baking sheet for even browning.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, diced celery, sliced green onions, 1/3 cup buffalo hot sauce, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  3. Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs (about 20-24 meatballs). Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart.
  4. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). If not using a cooling rack, flip the meatballs halfway through baking.
  5. While the meatballs bake, make the buffalo sauce coating. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine 1/3 cup buffalo hot sauce, melted butter, and honey (if using). Whisk until smooth and glossy. Keep warm.
  6. Once the meatballs are done, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the warm buffalo sauce over them and gently toss to coat every meatball.
  7. Transfer the coated meatballs to a serving platter. Sprinkle with chopped fresh chives or green onion tops. Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, and carrot sticks.

Notes

Don’t skip the mayonnaise—it keeps the meatballs moist. For uniform cooking, use a cookie scoop. Chilling the meatballs for 15-20 minutes before baking helps them hold their shape. Taste your hot sauce before using to adjust salt. For extra saucy meatballs, double the coating sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: buffalo chicken meatballs, game day appetizer, easy meatballs, buffalo sauce, chicken meatballs, party snack

Find it online: https://cookyep.com/easy-buffalo-chicken-meatballs-perfect-game-day-appetizer/