This easy Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Meatballs recipe is a delicious and nutritious meal perfect for busy weeknights. These creamy, spicy meatballs are quick to prepare and can be customized with common ingredients you have on hand. Enjoy them with crispy celery sticks and homemade ranch for a fun twist!
Ingredients Needed:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 ½ lbs. (24 oz.) ground chicken
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup finely diced celery
- ¼ cup minced fresh chives
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp. kosher salt (plus more to taste)
- ½ tsp. black pepper (plus more to taste)
- 2 Tbsp. ranch dressing
- 4 Tbsp. salted butter
- ¾ cup buffalo sauce
For the Homemade Ranch Dressing (optional):
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 Tbsp. fresh dill, minced
- 1 Tbsp. minced fresh chives
- 1 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ tsp. kosher salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- 1 clove garlic, finely grated
For the Salad (optional):
- 2 English cucumbers, thinly sliced
- ½ cup yellow celery leaves
- ¼ cup ranch dressing
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
How To Cook Buffalo Chicken Meatballs:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, panko, diced celery, chives, egg, salt, pepper, and ranch dressing, mixing gently to avoid over-mixing.
- Form the Meatballs: Shape the chicken mixture into balls, about 2 tablespoons each, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter with the buffalo sauce, stirring to combine. Once melted, add the cooked meatballs and toss to coat them in the sauce.
- Make the Ranch Dressing (Optional): In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, chives, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 1 day) before serving.
- Prepare the Salad (Optional): In a bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, celery leaves, and ranch dressing. Toss well and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Plate the buffalo chicken meatballs with the cucumber salad and additional ranch dressing if desired.
Recipe Tips
- Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh chicken, herbs, and veggies. Fresh ingredients make the meatballs taste better.
- Don’t Over-Mix: When combining the ingredients for the meatballs, mix gently. Over-mixing can make them tough.
- Adjust the Spice: If you like it less spicy, use a milder buffalo sauce or reduce the amount you add. You can also add a bit of honey for sweetness.
- Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatballs reach 165°F (74°C) inside. This guarantees they are fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Make Ahead and Freeze: Prepare extra meatballs and freeze them before baking. You can cook them from frozen later for a quick meal!
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Place leftover Buffalo Chicken Meatballs in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: To freeze, place leftover Buffalo Chicken Meatballs in a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use them, thaw the meatballs in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat leftover Buffalo Chicken Meatballs in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10 minutes or microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 6 meatballs (85g)
- Calories: 140
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 950mg
- Potassium: 240mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 5g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 14g
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Mary Berry Meatballs in Tomato And Basil Sauce
- Pioneer Woman Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
- Pioneer Woman Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Smothered Chicken
- Pioneer Woman Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Description
This easy Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Meatballs recipe is a delicious and nutritious meal perfect for busy weeknights. These creamy, spicy meatballs are quick to prepare and can be customized with common ingredients you have on hand. Enjoy them with crispy celery sticks and homemade ranch for a fun twist!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
For the Homemade Ranch Dressing (optional):
For the Salad (optional):
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, panko, diced celery, chives, egg, salt, pepper, and ranch dressing, mixing gently to avoid over-mixing.
- Form the Meatballs: Shape the chicken mixture into balls, about 2 tablespoons each, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter with the buffalo sauce, stirring to combine. Once melted, add the cooked meatballs and toss to coat them in the sauce.
- Make the Ranch Dressing (Optional): In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, chives, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 1 day) before serving.
- Prepare the Salad (Optional): In a bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, celery leaves, and ranch dressing. Toss well and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Plate the buffalo chicken meatballs with the cucumber salad and additional ranch dressing if desired.
Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh chicken, herbs, and veggies. Fresh ingredients make the meatballs taste better.
- Don’t Over-Mix: When combining the ingredients for the meatballs, mix gently. Over-mixing can make them tough.
- Adjust the Spice: If you like it less spicy, use a milder buffalo sauce or reduce the amount you add. You can also add a bit of honey for sweetness.
- Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatballs reach 165°F (74°C) inside. This guarantees they are fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Make Ahead and Freeze: Prepare extra meatballs and freeze them before baking. You can cook them from frozen later for a quick meal!
Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Meatballs