These healthy baked buffalo chicken meatballs are full of flavor and lighter than typical wings. If you want a new way to enjoy chicken, try these baked meatballs — ready in under an hour and irresistibly delicious.
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Hello friends! I’m back with another tasty recipe.
This time I focused on a savory dish I hadn’t posted in a while and made it extra special: buffalo chicken meatballs. Think buffalo wings in mini form — moist, flavorful, and perfect for game day or a healthy snack. They’re lighter than fried wings but keep that classic buffalo tang.
Even if you’re not a huge football fan, Super Bowl season or any party calls for easy, shareable bites. These baked buffalo chicken meatballs are ideal for a crowd, meal prep, or a quick protein-packed snack during the week.
After some testing (and a couple of imperfect batches), I landed on this version and have been making them weekly ever since. They store well and make healthy eating during a busy week much easier — prepare them on Sunday and you’ll have ready-to-eat protein for several days.
As you can see in the photo above, I couldn’t resist two meatballs before photographing — that’s how good they are.
What ingredients to make healthy baked buffalo chicken meatballs?
To make these meatballs you’ll need:
- Ground chicken — white or dark meat both work.
- Onion — minced and lightly cooked.
- Cumin
- Cayenne pepper
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Buffalo sauce — use your preferred brand; it’s divided between the mixture and the glaze.
- Bread crumbs — help keep the meatballs moist.
- Egg — binds everything together.
The blend of spices gives these meatballs their bold, buffalo-inspired flavor while keeping the recipe simple and approachable.
How to make buffalo chicken meatballs?
Start by preheating the oven to 400°F. Mince the onion and sweat it in a lightly greased pan for about 10 minutes, then set it aside to cool.
In a bowl combine the ground chicken, spices (cumin, cayenne, black pepper, salt, garlic powder), bread crumbs, 1/4 cup of the buffalo sauce, the egg, and the cooled minced onion. Mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon or clean hands until evenly combined.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and shape the mixture into meatballs. A mini ice cream scoop works great for uniform size. Bake at 400°F for about 15 minutes.
When the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to a skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1/4 cup buffalo sauce and toss the meatballs in the sauce until it’s absorbed and the meatballs are nicely glazed.
Cook a few minutes more, stirring gently, until the sauce clings to the meatballs and there’s little sauce left in the pan.
Serve these meatballs at your next tailgate or package them in a glass container for meal prep. Top with sliced green onions and ranch dressing, or add crumbled blue cheese if you like. They’re crowd-pleasers that hold up well reheated.
Try this recipe when you want a tasty, healthier buffalo option that will impress a crowd.
Healthy Baked Chicken Buffalo Meatballs recipe
Healthy baked buffalo chicken meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ¼ medium onion, minced
- ¼ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ cup buffalo sauce (divided)
- 2/3 cup bread crumbs
- 1 egg
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400°F. Mince the onion and sweat it in a lightly greased pan for about 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
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In a bowl, combine ground chicken, spices, bread crumbs, ¼ cup buffalo sauce, the egg, and the cooled minced onion. Mix until evenly incorporated.
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and form the mixture into meatballs (a mini scoop helps). Bake for about 15 minutes at 400°F.
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Transfer baked meatballs to a skillet over medium-high heat, add the remaining ¼ cup buffalo sauce, and toss until the sauce is absorbed and the meatballs are glazed.
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Serve immediately topped with green onions and ranch, or store in a glass container for later. Crumbled blue cheese is an optional garnish.
Nutrition
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Carbohydrates: 3 g
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Protein: 5 g
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Fat: 3 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
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Products I love and used in this recipe
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