Description
These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are a flavorful and spicy appetizer or main dish option, baked to perfection and tossed in tangy buffalo sauce. Served with a creamy and cool bleu cheese yogurt dip, they offer a delicious balance of heat and creaminess. Ideal for game days, parties, or a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- 1 pound lean ground chicken (around 93% lean)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup finely diced cilantro
- 3 tablespoons buffalo sauce (mild, medium or hot)
- 1 medium carrot, finely shredded
- 2 tablespoons finely diced green onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- â…“ cup buffalo sauce (for tossing)
- Diced green onion (for garnish)
- Diced cilantro (for garnish)
Bleu Cheese Yogurt Dip
- ½ batch bleu cheese yogurt dip (prepared separately according to preferred recipe or pre-made)
Instructions
- Prepare the bleu cheese yogurt dip: Make your favorite bleu cheese yogurt dip recipe or use a pre-made batch. Refrigerate the dip until ready to serve alongside the meatballs.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix the meatball ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, panko breadcrumbs, finely diced cilantro, 3 tablespoons of buffalo sauce, shredded carrot, diced green onion, minced garlic, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form the meatballs: Using clean hands dipped in water to prevent sticking, shape the mixture into 20 evenly sized meatballs. Place the formed meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the center reads 165°F (74°C), indicating they are fully cooked.
- Toss in buffalo sauce: Transfer the baked meatballs to a large bowl and gently toss or spoon â…“ cup buffalo sauce over them until evenly coated, infusing extra flavor and spice.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the buffalo chicken meatballs with diced green onions and cilantro for freshness and visual appeal. Serve immediately with the prepared bleu cheese yogurt dip. For extra flair, pair the dish with celery and carrot sticks.
Notes
- Ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
- Adjust buffalo sauce heat level (mild, medium, or hot) according to your spice preference.
- Using panko breadcrumbs keeps the meatballs light and tender.
- Shredded carrot adds moisture and a subtle sweetness while boosting nutrition.
- Dipping hands in water before shaping prevents the mixture from sticking.
- Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
