Description

Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these buffalo chicken meatballs are the perfect hands-on party snack. Coated in a tangy hot sauce and honey glaze, they offer bold flavor without the mess of traditional wings.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground chicken (thigh meat preferred)
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
2 tablespoons hot sauce (for meatballs)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup hot sauce (for glaze)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon honey
1 small garlic clove, minced

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of hot sauce. Mix gently with hands until just combined; do not overmix.
Roll the mixture into 1-inch bite-sized balls (approx. 24 meatballs). Place on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring space between each meatball.
Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
While meatballs bake, whisk together 1/4 cup hot sauce, melted butter, honey, and minced garlic in a small bowl to create the glaze.
Transfer baked meatballs to a large bowl. Pour the buffalo glaze over them and toss gently to coat evenly.
Serve immediately for maximum crunch, optionally with blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, and carrot sticks.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid tough meatballs. Use panko breadcrumbs for maximum crispiness. If crowding the pan, the meatballs will steam instead of bake. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free panko. Reheat in the oven at 375°F to restore crispiness; avoid microwaving.

Prep Time: 12 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 meatballs
Calories: 180
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 450
Fat: 10
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 8
Protein: 14

Keywords: buffalo chicken meatballs, party appetizers, game day food, crispy meatballs, easy chicken recipe, finger food, hot sauce recipe