These buffalo chicken meatballs have that buttery, spicy kick I love. Made with ground chicken and a few pantry staples, they bake up in the oven while I get everything else ready for the perfect game day spread.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
If you’re hosting a party or planning a game day gathering, set up your spread and let these buffalo chicken meatballs speak for themselves. They’re easy to make and perfect for sharing.
These meatballs pack all the flavor of hot wings without the mess. I have also made them on busy weeknights when I want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Why I Love This Recipe
- They’re super easy to make, perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Just like hot wings, minus the mess.
- They work as a main dish or a fun appetizer, and everyone loves them.
Ingredients
Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients that make these meatballs so good.
- Ground chicken – Light, tender, and perfect for soaking up buffalo sauce.
- Panko breadcrumbs – Keep the texture soft, not dense.
- Buffalo wing sauce – The base of all that spicy flavor.
- Egg – Binds everything together.
- Garlic – Adds depth.
- Onion powder – Boosts flavor without bulk.
- Salt and pepper – Always.
- Green onion – For color and bite.
- Blue cheese or ranch – Serve on the side for dipping.
How To Make Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Find the complete printable recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the BOTTOM OF THE POST.
- Step One (preheat the oven):
Heat the oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or nonstick foil. I stick with parchment for easy cleanup. - Step Two (mix the meatballs):
In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, buffalo wing sauce, egg, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix it by hand so you can feel when it just comes together and stays soft instead of sticky. - Step Three (shape and arrange):
Use a tablespoon-sized scoop to portion the mixture, then roll each into a ball. Lightly coat your hands with oil if the mixture clings. Space the meatballs evenly on the baking sheet so they brown instead of steam. - Step Four (bake):
Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, until the centers reach 165°F and the edges start to look golden. I start checking around 25. - Step Five (finish and serve):
Drizzle with more buffalo sauce, sprinkle with sliced green onions, and serve with blue cheese or ranch. The sauce clings best while they’re still warm. If you like using ground chicken in big, flavorful meals, my ground chicken chili builds that same comfort in a tomato-based version.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Make these meatball ahead of time and bake them off when you’re ready.
- Follow the recipe but don’t bake the meatballs.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Arrange them so they aren’t squished together to prevent sticking.
- Let the meatballs come to room temperature while preheating the oven.
- Bake according to the recipe instructions below.
Recipe Tips
- Adjust the heat by adding more or less buffalo sauce.
- For a little crunch, mix in finely chopped celery or carrots.
- These freeze well, so make a double batch and stash half for later.
- They work for meal prep too, reheat gently so they stay tender.
- Serve with veggies and dip for a game-day platter.
- They’re also great with honey mustard if you want to change up the sauce.
Storage and Freezer Instructions
Here’s how to store and freeze your buffalo chicken meatballs so they stay fresh and delicious.
- Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To keep them fresh, separate layers with parchment paper if you’re stacking them.
- For longer storage, freeze the meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag once frozen.
- They’ll stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, bake from frozen at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
More Buffalo Sauce Flavored Recipes
All the big flavors you love in these delicious recipes.
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Buffalo Sauce Hot Dogs
- Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas
- Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
These buffalo chicken meatballs have that buttery, spicy kick I love. Made with ground chicken and a few pantry staples, they bake up in the oven while you get everything else ready.
Servings: 32 meatballs
Calories: 30kcal
Equipment
- parchment paper or aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 1 lb (454 grams) ground chicken
- 2/3 cup (90 grams) panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup (59 ml) buffalo wing sauce plus extra for serving
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves fresh minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp table salt or fine sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- green onions, sliced (optional)
- Blue Cheese or Ranch dressing for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or nonstick aluminum foil.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, buffalo wing sauce, egg, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Be careful not to overmix.1 lb (454 grams) ground chicken, 2/3 cup (90 grams) panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup (59 ml) buffalo wing sauce, 1 large egg, 2 cloves fresh minced garlic, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp table salt , 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- Use a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop to portion the meatball mixture, then roll each scoop into a ball with your hands. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 25-28 minutes, or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Drizzle the meatballs with extra buffalo sauce and sprinkle with sliced green onions. Serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing on the side.green onions, sliced (optional), Blue Cheese or Ranch dressing for serving (optional)
Notes
For optimal outcomes when making these buffalo chicken meatballs, I recommend referring to the recipe details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations.
The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Amount Per Serving (35 g)
Calories 30
Calories from Fat 14
% Daily Value*
Fat 1.6g2%
Saturated Fat 0.5g3%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 16.4mg5%
Sodium 85.7mg4%
Potassium 6mg0%
Carbohydrates 1.1g0%
Fiber 0.2g1%
Sugar 0.1g0%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 0.3IU0%
Vitamin C 0.1mg0%
Calcium 1.6mg0%
Iron 1.8mg10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Have you made these Buffalo Chicken Meatballs? I’d love to hear how they turned out — leave a comment below and let me know.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Jessica says
Oh my gosh, these were absolutely incredible!! They were easy to make and everyone raved about them!
Erin says
YUM! These were so flavorful and delicious. My whole family loved them!
Pat Nugent says
Making for the second weekend in a row during the Sat. football games. Don’t neglect to use that extra buffalo sauce at the end before serving. I have doubled this recipe each time and used a larger ice cream scooper. Man do they go fast!
Cathy Pollak says
Go team!