Forget the fuss of traditional chicken wings! These incredible Buffalo Chicken Meatballs with Blue Cheese Sauce offer all the robust, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors you crave, perfectly packaged in a convenient, mess-free appetizer. Ideal for game day gatherings, vibrant tailgating parties, or any casual get-together with friends, they are sure to be an instant crowd-pleaser.
Say goodbye to sticky fingers and piles of napkins. These tender, flavorful chicken meatballs provide a far less messy alternative to their popular namesake, making them a superior choice for effortless snacking. Even those with a more sensitive palate will find the spice level perfectly balanced, especially when paired with the cooling, creamy blue cheese dipping sauce. The sauce not only complements the heat but also adds a layer of rich, savory depth that elevates the entire dish.
Irresistible Buffalo Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Blue Cheese Sauce
For many, the mention of “Buffalo” instantly conjures images of crispy, deep-fried chicken wings drenched in a vibrant, cayenne pepper hot sauce mixture, often featuring butter, vinegar, and a touch of spices. Traditionally served with refreshing celery sticks and a rich blue cheese dressing, this iconic flavor profile is undeniably delicious. Our Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are a clever culinary tribute, capturing all those beloved classic tastes in a brand-new, exciting format.
While I’ve perfected dishes like Buffalo Chicken Dip countless times, the prospect of tackling authentic Buffalo wings at home has always felt a bit daunting. That’s where these meatballs shine! Served easily with a fork or simple toothpicks, they eliminate the mess and fuss associated with wings, offering all the intense flavor without the sticky aftermath. They are an ingenious solution for those who adore the taste but prefer a more refined, grab-and-go appetizer experience.
The Ultimate Appetizers for Gatherings: From Book Club to Game Night
One of my greatest joys is experimenting with new recipes, and my beloved book club friends are always my most enthusiastic taste-testers. Unlike my own family, who can sometimes be a tougher crowd, this group is incredibly receptive and always willing to dive into whatever culinary creation I present. Recently, we delved into a fascinating book about President Garfield’s assassination. During my research, a curious tidbit emerged: Garfield’s favorite dish was apparently squirrel!
Naturally, this led to a flurry of humorous suggestions from my friends, complete with offers of “roadkill” to help me concoct my own “squirrel meatballs.” Rest assured, despite the playful banter, I stuck to my preferred ingredient: succulent ground chicken. I have a strong suspicion that these delectable Buffalo Chicken Meatballs with Blue Cheese Sauce offer a far more appealing flavor profile than any squirrel-based rendition could ever hope to achieve!
I’ve been a proud member of the same book club since 1996, and if you’re curious, you can explore the extensive list of books we have read over the years. When it comes to the food aspect of our meetings, I admit I tend to go a bit overboard. Many of the recipes I’ve developed and shared on this blog were initially tried and tested by my wonderful book club members. These include a diverse array of appetizers and treats, showcasing the versatility of our culinary adventures:
- A Festive 2014 Book Club Menu
- Savory Muenster and Spinach Pinwheels
- Elegant Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
- Quick and Easy Queso Dip
- Zesty Easy Dill Pickle Dip
- Sweet and Tangy Apricot Glazed Cocktail Meatballs
- Decadent Kahlua Caramel Baked Brie
- A Classic French 75 Cocktail
- Rich Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Cake
- Fun Peanut Butter Tagalong Dip
- The Best Ever Brownies
- Festive Cranberry Baked Meatballs
- And for more inspiration, be sure to explore all my Best Appetizer Recipes!
Mastering the Art of Buffalo Chicken Meatballs: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating these sensational mini meatballs is surprisingly straightforward, and for those conscious of fat content, you’ll be pleased to know they are baked, not fried! Each tender bite is infused with the quintessential Buffalo flavor, thanks to a careful blend of quality hot sauce and a generous, yet balanced, amount of butter. The baking process ensures they are cooked evenly and perfectly, achieving that desirable juicy interior and slightly crisp exterior without the added grease of deep-frying.
The first step involves preparing your meatball mixture. Once combined, roll the mixture into uniform, tightly packed 3/4-inch balls. Consistency in size is key here, as it ensures all meatballs cook at the same rate, preventing some from drying out while others remain undercooked. Carefully arrange them in even rows across a rimmed sheet pan, making sure they are snugly touching each other. This close arrangement helps them steam slightly, keeping them moist as they bake, and allows them to form a lovely, cohesive grid.
A crucial element in mirroring the classic Buffalo wing experience is the inclusion of celery. Since traditional wings are always served alongside crisp celery sticks, it makes perfect sense to incorporate a subtle hint of it directly into the meatballs. The key is to mince the celery very finely. This ensures its fresh, earthy flavor is distributed throughout the meatballs without creating an unpleasant crunch or large, noticeable pieces, maintaining the smooth texture of the meatball.
These savory cocktail meatballs truly come alive when paired with their essential companion: a luxurious, homemade blue cheese dressing. The pungent, creamy notes of blue cheese offer a magnificent counterpoint to the spicy, tangy meatballs, creating a harmonious flavor explosion with every bite. If, however, blue cheese isn’t to your liking, fear not! A smooth and zesty Ranch dressing makes an excellent and equally delicious alternative, offering a different, yet still complementary, creamy balance to the heat.
These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs with Blue Cheese Sauce are perfect for virtually any gathering. Whether you’re hosting a lively football party, entertaining your book club, or planning an elegant cocktail party, they deliver a delightful kick without being overwhelmingly spicy. The rich, creamy blue cheese sauce truly is the perfect complement, softening the spice and adding a layer of sophistication. The next time you’re in charge of appetizers, surprise your guests with this fantastic recipe. It’s an easy-to-make dish that consistently impresses, leaving everyone reaching for more!
Essential Ingredients for Your Shopping List:
To whip up these amazing Buffalo Chicken Meatballs and their delectable Blue Cheese Sauce, make sure you have these ingredients on hand:
- Kitchen Staples: Vegetable Oil (for baking), Salt, Unsalted Butter, Large Eggs
- The Spice Foundation: Frank’s RedHot Sauce (or your preferred brand of cayenne pepper hot sauce)
- The Star Protein: High-quality Ground Chicken (thigh meat is often recommended for extra juiciness and flavor)
- A Touch of Freshness: Celery (finely minced for texture and authentic flavor)
- For Binding and Texture: Bread Crumbs (freshly made by processing a couple of slices of bread in a food processor yields the best results, but store-bought Panko or plain breadcrumbs also work)
- Creamy Sauce Base: Sour Cream, Crumbled Blue Cheese, Whole Milk, Mayonnaise, Red Wine Vinegar (for that tangy kick)
This comprehensive guide to Buffalo Chicken Meatballs was originally published in December 2012. It has been extensively updated in 2019 and again in the present year to enhance clarity, improve SEO, and provide even more value to our readers, including fresh photos and expanded textual content.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs with Blue Cheese Sauce
30 minutes
20 minutes
50 minutes
40 meatballs
These spicy chicken meatballs are baked to perfection and served with a fabulous, creamy blue cheese sauce – an appetizer everyone will rave about!
Ingredients
For the Buffalo Chicken Meatballs:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup Frank’s RedHot Sauce or another favorite hot sauce
- 1 pound ground chicken (preferably thigh meat for best flavor)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 celery stalk (finely minced)
- 3/4 cup bread crumbs (fresh or Panko work well)
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Creamy Blue Cheese Sauce:
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup crumbled Blue Cheese
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon salt or more to taste
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Drizzle the vegetable oil into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Use your hand to ensure the entire surface is evenly coated. Set this dish aside.
- Make the Hot Sauce Mixture: In a small saucepan, combine the butter and hot sauce. Cook over low heat, whisking continuously until the butter is completely melted and thoroughly incorporated with the hot sauce. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for approximately 10 minutes. This cooling step is important before adding it to the raw meat.
- Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled hot sauce mixture, ground chicken, the large egg, finely minced celery, bread crumbs, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix all ingredients by hand until they are thoroughly incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough meatballs.
- Form and Arrange Meatballs: Roll the meatball mixture into uniform, round 3/4-inch balls, making sure to pack the meat firmly to prevent them from falling apart during cooking. Place the formed balls into the prepared baking dish. Arrange them snugly in even rows, both vertically and horizontally, to form a grid. The meatballs should be touching one another slightly.
- Roast the Meatballs: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are firm to the touch and cooked through. To ensure doneness, a meat thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball should read 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Allow the meatballs to cool in the baking dish for about 5 minutes before serving. This brief resting period helps them retain their juices. Serve immediately with the prepared blue cheese sauce on the side.
- Prepare the Blue Cheese Sauce: While the meatballs are roasting or cooling, make your blue cheese sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, crumbled blue cheese, whole milk, mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon of salt, and red wine vinegar. Whisk all ingredients thoroughly until they are completely combined and smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt or a pinch of pepper to your preference.
Notes for Success
This recipe is adapted from popular techniques found in Epicurious and The Meatball Shop Cookbook, combining the best elements for perfect results.
For the juiciest meatballs, use ground chicken thigh meat if available. If using ground chicken breast, ensure you don’t overmix and cook just until done to prevent dryness.
Don’t skip the step of cooling the hot sauce and butter mixture; adding it too hot to the raw chicken can slightly cook the meat, affecting texture.
If you don’t have fresh bread for breadcrumbs, Panko breadcrumbs are an excellent substitute, offering a light and crispy texture.
These meatballs can be prepared ahead of time! Form the meatballs and store them raw in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, or freeze them unbaked for longer storage. Bake from frozen, adding extra cooking time.
For a garnish, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or chives, and serve with extra celery sticks alongside the blue cheese sauce.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12 servings
Serving Size:
3 meatballs
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 246Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 703mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 12g
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