Name: Buffalo Chicken Meatballs with Blue Cheese Yogurt Dip Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground chicken (or ground turkey); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ⅓ cup panko bread crumbs; 1 large egg; ¼ cup celery (minced); ¼ cup carrot (shredded); ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ¼ cup Frank’s Hot Sauce (or more to taste); 1 cup plain Greek yogurt; 2 ounces blue cheese (crumbled); 2 tablespoons lemon juice (or more to taste); 1 tablespoon chives (finely chopped); 1 clove garlic (grated); ½ teaspoon kosher salt (or more to taste)

Introduction

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are a flavorful and versatile appetizer that combines spicy buffalo sauce with tender ground chicken. These meatballs are easy to make, cook quickly, and pair perfectly with a creamy blue cheese yogurt dip. Whether you’re hosting a party or looking for a tasty weeknight dish, these meatballs are sure to please.

The dish is presented on a large white oval plate with a green rim, featuring three main parts arranged in separate areas. The bottom left section shows around twenty small round golden-brown bites, each with a slightly rough texture and visible small orange bits inside. Above these bites, slightly overlapping, is a small round white bowl filled with a thick white creamy dip garnished with small green herb pieces. To the right of the bowl, there is a neat row of fresh vegetable sticks standing upright, including dark purple carrot sticks, bright orange carrot sticks, pale green celery sticks, and yellow squash sticks, all crisp and smooth in texture. Two small vintage silver spoons rest on the bottom right edge of the plate among the bites. The whole arrangement sits on a white marbled surface with other small dishes and a grey cloth nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound ground chicken (or ground turkey)

1 teaspoon kosher salt

⅓ cup panko bread crumbs

1 large egg

¼ cup celery (minced)

¼ cup carrot (shredded)

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

¼ cup Frank’s Hot Sauce (or more to taste)

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

2 ounces blue cheese (crumbled)

2 tablespoons lemon juice (or more to taste)

1 tablespoon chives (finely chopped)

1 clove garlic (grated)

½ teaspoon kosher salt (or more to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, egg, minced celery, shredded carrot, garlic powder, onion powder, Frank’s Hot Sauce, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Mix until well combined.

Step 2: Add the ground chicken to the mixture and gently fold together, being careful not to overwork the meat to keep the meatballs tender.

Step 3: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion out the mixture onto a cookie sheet, then shape with wet hands into about 24 small meatballs.

Step 4: For air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Lightly spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray. Cook the meatballs in batches for 5-7 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 5: For oven baking: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange the meatballs ½ inch apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 6: Meanwhile, prepare the blue cheese yogurt dip by mixing the Greek yogurt, crumbled blue cheese, lemon juice, chives, grated garlic, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt in a bowl until smooth and well combined.

Step 7: Serve the meatballs warm with the blue cheese yogurt dip. They are great as an appetizer or paired with mashed potatoes or rice. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Use ground turkey as a leaner alternative to ground chicken without sacrificing flavor.

Add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture for an extra smoky or spicy kick.

To keep meatballs moist, avoid overmixing the meat and use wet hands when forming them.

Serve with celery sticks or carrot sticks to complement the buffalo flavors.

FAQs

Can I freeze Buffalo Chicken Meatballs?

Yes, you can freeze the cooked meatballs. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They will keep well for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven straight from frozen until heated through.

Can I make these meatballs spicy or milder?

Absolutely! Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the meatball mixture to your desired heat level. For milder meatballs, reduce the hot sauce or substitute with a mild wing sauce. You can always offer extra sauce on the side for those who want more heat.