Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Appetizer: A Spicy, Flavor-Packed Bite

These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs make for a perfect spicy appetizer that is sure to please any crowd. Made with ground chicken, fresh vegetables, and just the right amount of buffalo sauce, these meatballs are juicy and flavorful with a satisfying kick. Whether you’re serving them at a party or simply enjoying them as a snack, they’re bound to be a hit, especially when paired with a drizzle of blue cheese or ranch dressing.

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With their bold buffalo flavor and a tender texture, these meatballs are not only easy to make but also offer a healthier alternative to traditional buffalo wings. Serve with crunchy celery and carrot sticks to round out this mouthwatering dish.

Bold Buffalo Flavor in Every Bite

The buffalo sauce gives these chicken meatballs an irresistible spicy flavor, while the green onions and diced carrots add freshness and crunch. They bake perfectly in the oven, and tossing them with extra buffalo sauce at the end makes them wonderfully saucy.

A Brief History of Buffalo Sauce and Meatballs

Buffalo sauce has become an iconic part of American cuisine, particularly as a key element in buffalo wings, which originated in the city of Buffalo, New York, in the 1960s. The sauce is typically made from a combination of cayenne pepper hot sauce, butter, and vinegar, creating a tangy and spicy flavor that has been loved by many ever since. The original Buffalo wing was a happy accident, created at the Anchor Bar by Teressa Bellissimo, who used leftover wings to make a late-night snack for her son and his friends. Buffalo sauce has since been used in countless variations, including chicken sandwiches, dips, and now meatballs.

Meatballs themselves are a culinary staple in many cultures, with roots tracing back to ancient times. From Italian polpette to Swedish köttbullar, nearly every cuisine features a version of this versatile dish. The concept of grinding meat, adding flavorful ingredients like onions or spices, and forming it into a ball is a universal cooking technique. The combination of buffalo sauce and meatballs in this recipe offers a fusion of comfort food traditions with the bold flavors of modern American cuisine.

Cooking Tips

Use a cookie scoop for uniform meatballs: This will ensure even cooking, and the meatballs will come out looking neat and perfect.

Don't skimp on the sauce: Drizzle more buffalo sauce over the meatballs after baking for maximum flavor.

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken
• ½ cup buffalo sauce, divided
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions, plus more for garnish
• ¼ cup finely diced carrots
• ⅓ cup almond flour or ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Blue cheese dressing or ranch, for serving
• Blue cheese crumbles, for serving
• Celery sticks and carrot sticks, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, ¼ cup buffalo sauce, egg, green onions, carrots, almond flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Using a cookie scoop or small spoon, portion the ground chicken mixture and use your hands to roll the mixture into meatballs.
4. Arrange the meatballs evenly on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until fully cooked through.
5. Remove the meatballs from the oven and drizzle with the remaining ¼ cup buffalo sauce. Gently toss the meatballs to coat them in the sauce.
6. Serve the meatballs immediately, garnished with a drizzle of blue cheese or ranch dressing, extra green onions, and blue cheese crumbles if desired.

These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are a spicy, flavorful snack or appetizer that will satisfy any craving for buffalo wings, while being slightly lighter and easier to make. Enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauce, and don’t forget the extra celery and carrots!