Game Day Spicy Buffalo Chicken (Printable)

Juicy chicken meatballs coated in zesty buffalo sauce, perfect for gatherings and game day.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meatballs

01 - 1 lb ground chicken
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free)
03 - 1/4 cup finely diced celery
04 - 1/4 cup finely diced onion
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
10 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika

→ Buffalo Sauce

11 - 1/3 cup hot sauce (e.g., Franks RedHot)
12 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
13 - 1 tbsp honey
14 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder

→ Garnish (optional)

15 - Chopped fresh parsley
16 - Extra blue cheese crumbles
17 - Celery sticks

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, celery, onion, garlic, egg, blue cheese (if using), salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix gently until just combined—do not overmix.
03 - Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and lightly golden.
05 - While the meatballs bake, prepare the buffalo sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in hot sauce, honey, and garlic powder. Whisk until smooth and heated through; set aside.
06 - Once the meatballs are done, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the warm buffalo sauce over the meatballs and toss gently to coat.
07 - Arrange on a serving platter. Garnish with parsley and extra blue cheese, if desired. Serve with celery sticks.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The honey cuts through the heat just enough to keep everyone reaching for more
  • They bake in under 20 minutes but taste like they took all day
  • Perfect for feeding a crowd without spending your entire party in the kitchen
02 -
  • Overmixing the meat mixture makes tough meatballs so mix until just combined
  • The sauce needs to be warm when you toss it or it will coat unevenly
  • Let the meatballs rest 2 minutes after baking before saucing
03 -
  • Wet your hands slightly before shaping to prevent sticking
  • The smoked paprika adds a subtle depth that people notice but can't place

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