Description
Juicy, spicy, and tangy baked buffalo chicken meatballs made with just three core ingredients. Perfect for game nights, parties, or a quick high-protein snack that is lighter than fried wings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground chicken (preferably dark meat/thighs)
- ½ cup buffalo sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing (for dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, buffalo sauce, Panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Mix gently with hands or a spoon until just combined. Do not overmix to avoid tough meatballs.
- Roll the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs (about 2 tablespoons each). Place on the baking sheet, leaving 1 inch of space between each.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
- Optional: Brush with a glaze made of ¼ cup buffalo sauce and 2 tablespoons melted butter immediately after baking.
- Serve immediately with blue cheese or ranch dressing.
Notes
Do not overmix the meat to keep the meatballs tender. Use Panko breadcrumbs for a lighter texture. If using ground turkey, add a tablespoon of olive oil to maintain moisture. For extra spice, use hot buffalo sauce; for mild, use mild sauce or dilute with ranch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Protein: 20
Keywords: buffalo chicken meatballs, game day snacks, baked chicken meatballs, easy appetizer, 3 ingredient recipe, high protein snack, party food