Description
Spicy buffalo chicken meatballs dance with zesty flavor, bringing intense heat and comfort to your plate. Crispy edges and juicy centers make this crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for game day or casual gatherings you’ll devour with pure excitement.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground chicken (or a mix of chicken and turkey)
- 2 tablespoons blue cheese crumbles (optional)
Binding and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce (Franks RedHot or similar)
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Creamy Dip Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Serving Ingredients:
- Cooked broccoli florets
- Chopped chives or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Gather and prepare all ingredients, ensuring ground chicken is at a cool temperature and other components are readily accessible.
- Create a moisture-rich base for meatballs by blending breadcrumbs with milk, allowing them to absorb liquid and enhance texture.
- Incorporate ground chicken with breadcrumb mixture, introducing buffalo sauce, blue cheese, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper for robust flavor profile.
- Gently fold ingredients together, avoiding overworking the meat to maintain tenderness and prevent dense meatballs.
- Shape mixture into uniform, bite-sized spheres approximately one inch in diameter, ensuring consistent cooking.
- Position meatballs on parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly to promote uniform heat distribution.
- Roast in preheated oven at 375°F, monitoring internal temperature and exterior coloration for optimal doneness.
- Simultaneously prepare creamy dip by whisking ingredients until achieving a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Calibrate dip’s seasoning, balancing flavors with subtle salt and pepper adjustments.
- Select preferred broccoli preparation method – steaming, roasting, or sautéing – to achieve tender-crisp texture.
- Plate broccoli as foundational layer, strategically arranging buffalo chicken meatballs atop verdant vegetable base.
- Drizzle creamy dip generously over meatballs, enhancing visual appeal and flavor complexity.
- Garnish with freshly chopped chives or green onions for aromatic finish and elegant presentation.
- Serve immediately to preserve optimal temperature and textural integrity of dish.
Notes
- Ensure meatballs are uniformly sized for even cooking and consistent texture.
- Use lean ground chicken to keep the meatballs moist without excess grease.
- Add extra buffalo sauce for heat lovers or reduce for milder palates.
- Mix ingredients gently to prevent dense, tough meatballs by avoiding overmixing.
- Swap blue cheese with feta or goat cheese for alternative flavor profiles.
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and preventing sticking.
- Check internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee chicken is fully cooked.
- Make ahead and reheat gently to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a celiac-friendly version of the recipe.
- Opt for Greek yogurt in the dip for a protein-packed, lower-fat alternative to sour cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg