Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe is a spicy and tender recipe, which is made with ground chicken and buffalo sauce. It’s the perfect party appetizer, ready in about 40 minutes.

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Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 1 1/2 lb. ground chicken
• 1/2 cup panko
• 1/4 cup finely diced celery
• 1/4 cup minced fresh chives
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper, plus more to taste
• 2 Tbsp. ranch dressing
• 4 Tbsp. salted butter
• 3/4 cup buffalo sauce

For the Homemade Ranch Dressing (optional):

• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 Tbsp. fresh dill, minced
• 1 Tbsp. minced fresh chives
• 1 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1 clove garlic, finely grated

For the Salad (optional):

• 2 English cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup yellow celery leaves
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

How To Make Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

1. Prep and Mix Meatballs: Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, panko, diced celery, chives, egg, salt, pepper, and ranch dressing. Use your hands to gently mix until just combined, being careful not to over-mix.
2. Form and Bake Meatballs: Form the chicken mixture into balls using about 2 tablespoons for each. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
3. Make Buffalo Sauce and Coat: While the meatballs are baking, melt the butter with the buffalo sauce in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, stirring to combine. Once the meatballs are cooked, add them to the skillet and gently toss to coat them completely in the warm sauce.
4. Make Ranch Dressing (Optional): In a medium bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, chives, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and grated garlic. For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
5. Prepare Salad and Serve (Optional): In a separate bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, celery leaves, and ranch dressing. Toss to coat and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the warm meatballs immediately, with the cucumber salad and extra ranch dressing on the side.

Recipe Tips

• How do you keep the meatballs moist? The key is not to over-mix the ground chicken mixture. Mix just until the ingredients are combined. Overworking the meat can result in tough, dry meatballs. The panko and egg also help to keep them tender.
• Can I make these in an air fryer? Yes, an air fryer is a great way to cook these meatballs. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through, shaking the basket halfway. Then, toss them in the sauce as directed.
• Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken? Absolutely. Ground turkey is an excellent substitute for ground chicken in this recipe and works just as well.
• How can I make the meatballs spicier? To increase the heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture itself. You can also choose a buffalo sauce with a higher heat level.

What To Serve With Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

These meatballs are fantastic as an appetizer or a main course. Serve them with:

• The optional cucumber salad and homemade ranch dressing.
• Classic celery and carrot sticks with blue cheese dressing for dipping.
• Over a bed of rice or alongside roasted potatoes for a full meal.
• On slider buns for mini buffalo chicken sandwiches.

How To Store Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Store: Place leftover meatballs in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. You can add a splash of extra buffalo sauce to freshen them up.

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~350 kcal per serving (meatballs only)
• Protein: 25g
• Fat: 24g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Sugar: 2g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Meatballs Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Italian Chicken Meatballs Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Drip Beef Meatballs Recipe