Spicy Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe with Heat

Sizzling buffalo chicken meatballs burst with a flavor explosion that elevates any gathering from mundane to magnificent.

These fiery spheres blend game-day nostalgia with culinary innovation, creating an appetizer that demands attention.

Ground chicken transforms into a canvas of zesty potential, infused with vibrant hot sauce and robust seasonings.

Crisp breadcrumbs add a delightful crunch that perfectly complements the tender meat mixture.

Subtle hints of celery and egg weave through each bite, ensuring a harmonious balance of heat and comfort.

Irresistibly spicy yet incredibly satisfying, these meatballs guarantee enthusiastic nods and empty platters.

Become the star of your next social feast with this mouthwatering recipe that promises to steal the show.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredient Roundup for Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

• Ground Chicken: Select fresh, lean meat for juicy and tender meatballs.
• Egg: Choose large, organic eggs for better binding and richness.

• Hot Sauce, Garlic, Black Pepper: Opt for high-quality, fresh ingredients to boost spicy depth.
• Scallions: Pick bright green, crisp stalks with no wilting for maximum flavor.
• Kosher Salt: Use fine-grain salt for even seasoning distribution.

• Breadcrumbs: Select plain, dry breadcrumbs for consistent moisture absorption.
• Celery: Choose firm, bright green stalks with minimal blemishes for crunch.

• Butter: Use unsalted, high-quality butter for smooth sauce consistency.
• Gorgonzola Cheese: Select creamy, well-aged cheese for robust tangy notes.

• Celery Leaves, Celery Sticks: Pick fresh, crisp stalks with vibrant green color for maximum crunch and visual appeal.

Must-Have Tools for Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining all meatball ingredients and mixing them thoroughly.
• Tablespoon: Helps scoop consistent meatball portions with ease.
• Baking Sheet: Provides an even surface for baking meatballs to golden perfection.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mat: Prevents sticking and makes clean-up a breeze.
• Nonstick Cooking Spray: Ensures meatballs don't stick to the baking surface.
• Medium Pan: Ideal for creating the rich, spicy buffalo sauce.
• Serving Platter: Showcases the delicious meatballs in style.
• Sharp Knife: Helps finely chop celery, scallions, and garlic.

How to Cook Buffalo Chicken Meatballs the Right Way

• Fire Up the Oven

Blast the oven to a hot 400°F and prep a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Craft the Meatball Mixture

Dive into a mixing bowl and combine ground chicken with breadcrumbs, diced celery, hot sauce, egg, scallions, garlic, salt, and pepper. Blend everything until the mixture looks perfectly combined.

• Shape Flavor Powerhouses

Use a tablespoon to scoop out portions of the mixture. Roll each scoop between your palms, creating round meatball treasures. Arrange them neatly on the prepared baking sheet.

• Bake and Transform

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and let the meatballs cook for 15 minutes. Watch for a golden-brown exterior that signals they’re fully cooked.

• Whip Up Spicy Sauce Magic

While meatballs are baking, melt butter in a pan over medium-low heat. Stir in hot sauce until it becomes a smooth, warming blend.

• Coat in Fiery Goodness

Pull the meatballs from the oven and gently tumble them in the buffalo sauce. Ensure each meatball gets a luxurious, even coating of spicy magic.

• Create a Stunning Finish

Transfer the saucy meatballs to a serving platter. Sprinkle with crumbled gorgonzola and fresh celery leaves for an extra flavor explosion.

• Set the Perfect Scene

Scatter crisp celery sticks around the meatballs, creating a delicious landscape that invites dipping and cooling down the spicy adventure.

Ideas to Modify Your Meatball Game

• Customize Heat Levels: Adjust the hot sauce quantity to dial the spiciness up or down. Milder palates can start with less sauce, while heat lovers can add extra splashes for a fiery experience.
• Cheese Swap Options: Replace gorgonzola with blue cheese, ranch crumbles, or creamy goat cheese for different flavor profiles. Each cheese brings a unique tangy twist to the meatballs.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare meatballs in advance and store them uncooked in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready, simply bake and sauce for a quick, stress-free meal.
• Protein Power Substitutions: Swap ground chicken with ground turkey, lean beef, or plant-based alternatives for versatile protein options. Each protein brings its own texture and taste to the recipe.

Buffalo Chicken Meatball Serving Styles

• Serve with Cool Companions: Pair these spicy buffalo chicken meatballs with crisp, refreshing celery sticks to balance the heat and provide a delightful crunch.
• Dip and Dive: Create a creamy blue cheese or ranch dressing as a side dip to complement the fiery buffalo flavor and add a cooling element.
• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange the meatballs on a decorative platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing at game day gatherings or cocktail parties.
• Meal Transformation: Turn these meatballs into a hearty meal by serving over a bed of mixed greens, rice, or tucked inside soft slider buns for a satisfying lunch or dinner option.

Keeping Meatballs Fresh or Planning Leftovers

• Preserve Peak Flavor: Store buffalo chicken meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Quick Reheat Technique: Warm meatballs in a skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, adding a splash of extra buffalo sauce to maintain moisture and restore that fresh-from-the-oven taste.
• Freezer-Friendly Meal Prep: Freeze uncoated meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags. They'll stay delicious for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Keep sauce and meatballs separate until serving to prevent soggy texture. Pack sauce in a small container on the side for maximum crispness and flavor freshness when ready to enjoy.

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

These zesty Buffalo Chicken Meatballs pack incredible flavor from classic wing sauce and tender ground chicken. Ranch dressing and blue cheese crumbles complement the spicy protein, creating an irresistible appetizer you’ll crave at game day gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground chicken
• 1 large egg
• ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (Frank’s Red Hot)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps finely diced celery
• 1 scallion, finely chopped
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• ½ stick (4 tbsps) (57 g) salted butter
• ¾ cup hot sauce (Frank’s Red Hot)
• Crumbled gorgonzola
• 5–6 stalks celery, cut into sticks
• Celery leaves

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Instructions

1. Preparation Setup: Warm the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper, lightly misting with nonstick spray for easy release.
2. Meatball Mixture: Blend ground chicken, breadcrumbs, diced celery, hot sauce, egg, scallions, garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large bowl, mixing thoroughly until ingredients are uniformly distributed.
3. Shaping and Positioning: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the meat mixture, rolling between palms to create uniform 1-inch spherical meatballs, then arrange on the prepared baking sheet with slight spacing for optimal cooking.
4. Roasting Process: Cook meatballs in the preheated oven for 14-16 minutes, rotating midway, until they reach 165°F internal temperature and develop a golden-brown crust.
5. Buffalo Sauce Creation: While meatballs roast, melt unsalted butter in a sauté pan over medium-low heat, whisking in hot sauce until smooth and fully integrated.
6. Finishing Touch: Transfer freshly roasted meatballs directly into the buffalo sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete and even coating.
7. Presentation: Plate the sauced meatballs on a serving platter, sprinkling with crumbled gorgonzola cheese and fresh celery leaves for enhanced flavor and visual dimension.
8. Serving Suggestion: Accompany with crisp celery sticks to provide a refreshing, crunchy counterpoint to the spicy meatballs.

Notes

• Meat Moisture Control: Mix ingredients gently to prevent overworking ground chicken, which can create dense, tough meatballs.
• Temperature Precision: Use an instant-read meat thermometer to confirm 165°F internal temperature for safe, perfectly cooked chicken.
• Sauce Coating Technique: Toss meatballs in buffalo sauce immediately after cooking to maximize flavor absorption and prevent soggy texture.
• Garnish Enhancement: Sprinkle fresh gorgonzola and celery leaves just before serving to maintain crisp texture and bright flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg