Craving the fiery goodness of Buffalo wings but looking for a less messy, more convenient option? Look no further than these easy Buffalo chicken meatballs! These little bundles of flavor combine the classic tangy and spicy Buffalo sauce with tender, moist chicken meatballs for a truly satisfying experience.
These meatballs are cooked in two stages: first in the oven to achieve a slightly toasted exterior and then in the slow cooker where they simmer in a rich, flavorful sauce. The result? Perfectly cooked meatballs with a burst of flavor in every bite.
Why You'll Love This Recipe:
- Simple and Easy: This recipe is incredibly straightforward, even for beginner cooks. The two-step cooking process makes it a breeze to prepare.
- Flavorful and Satisfying: The perfect balance of tangy, spicy, and sweet in the Buffalo sauce makes these meatballs truly irresistible. You'll be craving more!
- Perfect for Parties and Game Day: These meatballs are a crowd-pleasing appetizer that's perfect for parties, game day gatherings, or any casual get-together.
Ingredients You'll Need 👩🍳:
- 2 ¼ cups Buffalo wing sauce (divided)
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ cup honey
- ⅔ cup bread crumbs
- ⅓ cup finely chopped celery
- ⅓ cup finely chopped green onions
- ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Cooking spray
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Combine 2 cups Buffalo sauce, butter, and honey in a slow cooker. Cover and set to High while you prepare the meatballs.
- In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, celery, green onions, blue cheese, eggs, and the remaining 1/4 cup Buffalo sauce. Stir until well combined.
- Add the ground chicken, salt, and pepper to the bowl and mix well.
- Wet your hands and form the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs. You should get about 44 meatballs.
- Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 8 minutes, or until they are holding together well and lightly browned. The meatballs will not be cooked through at this point.
- Transfer the meatballs to the slow cooker and stir well to combine with the sauce.
- Reduce the heat to Low and cook for 1 to 2 hours, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball reads at least 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).
- Keep warm in the slow cooker until ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve these delicious Buffalo chicken meatballs with thin celery sticks as skewers and your favorite ranch dressing. For a fun presentation, try using mini skewers or toothpicks.
Tips and Variations:
- Make Ahead: Follow steps 1, 3, and 4, then freeze the partially cooked meatballs. When ready to use, add them to the slow cooker with the sauce.
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders: Use the same mixture to form patties for delicious Buffalo chicken sliders!
- Different Buffalo Sauce: Feel free to use your favorite brand of Buffalo wing sauce.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 289 | - |
| Total Fat | 13g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 33% |
| Cholesterol | 106mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 1709mg | 74% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 20g | 7% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g | 2% |
| Total Sugars | 7g | - |
| Protein | 24g | 47% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 49mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 269mg | 6% |
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Enjoy these easy Buffalo chicken meatballs and impress your friends with this simple yet delicious recipe!
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