30 Minute Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe
These 30 Minute Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are a quick and flavorful appetizer or main dish featuring ground chicken mixed with fresh veggies and spices, baked to perfection, and tossed in tangy buffalo sauce. Served with ranch or blue cheese dressing, they deliver a perfect balance of spicy and creamy in every bite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 medium-sized meatballs 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 1/2 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg – lightly beaten
- 1 small carrot – finely grated
- 1 stick celery – minced
- 2 green onions – minced
- 3 cloves garlic – minced
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp kosher sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Sauce & Serving
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce (such as Frank’s buffalo sauce)
- 3 tablespoons ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Line a standard-size baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat and set aside to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, and lightly beaten egg. Let the panko soak in the egg for 5 minutes to help bind the meatballs. Then, add the grated carrot, minced celery, green onions, garlic, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix gently using your hands or a spatula until just combined to avoid dense meatballs.
- Form and bake meatballs: Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until they are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius).
- Toss with buffalo sauce: Remove the meatballs from the oven and transfer them into a bowl. Add the buffalo sauce and toss gently to coat each meatball thoroughly with the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the buffalo chicken meatballs immediately, drizzled with ranch or blue cheese dressing and garnished with extra green onion if desired for added freshness and flavor.
Notes
- You can fold 1/3 cup of blue cheese or mozzarella into the meat mixture or stuff cheese inside the meatballs for extra richness.
- Store cooled meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
- To freeze, place cooled meatballs on a baking sheet to freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat frozen or refrigerated meatballs in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10–12 minutes until warmed through; add extra time if reheating from frozen.
- For a quicker reheat, microwave for 1–2 minutes or warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or sauce to keep moist.
Keywords: Buffalo chicken meatballs, quick chicken meatballs, baked buffalo meatballs, game day appetizers, spicy chicken balls
