Irresistibly Juicy Honey Buffalo Chicken Meatballs: Your New Go-To Recipe!

Get ready to elevate your meal prep or party platter with these incredibly delicious Honey Buffalo Chicken Meatballs! Coated in a perfectly balanced sweet and spicy sauce, these tender meatballs are made with ground chicken and bake to perfection in just under 20 minutes. They’re an absolute game-changer, whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer, a quick lunch, or a flavorful dinner.

Forget dry, bland meatballs. Our recipe ensures every bite is juicy, packed with flavor, and wonderfully saucy. Serve them alongside a creamy blue cheese dip to truly capture that classic buffalo experience, or get creative with your favorite sides.

Why You’ll Love These Honey Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

If you enjoy classic chicken meatballs, you are in for a treat with this honey buffalo version! They take the beloved flavor profile of buffalo wings and transform it into a convenient, bite-sized package. Here’s why these meatballs will quickly become a household favorite:

• Unforgettable Flavor: The combination of fiery buffalo sauce and sweet honey creates an addictive glaze that’s both bold and comforting.
• Incredibly Juicy: Made with ground chicken and baked to perfection, these meatballs remain tender and moist inside.
• Quick & Easy: From mixing to baking, this recipe comes together in under 35 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
• Versatile Serving: Perfect as a standalone appetizer, a hearty addition to a main course, or a fantastic option for game day entertaining.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves a good meatball, and these sweet and spicy bites are always a hit. Easily double or triple the recipe to feed a larger crowd!

Key Ingredients for Flavorful Meatballs

Crafting the perfect honey buffalo chicken meatballs starts with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some helpful tips:

• Ground Chicken: For the most succulent meatballs, I highly recommend using regular ground chicken (a mix of dark and white meat) over ground chicken breast. The higher fat content in ground chicken keeps the meatballs incredibly moist and flavorful. Ground turkey is also an excellent substitute if preferred.
• Ritz Crackers: These crushed crackers are a secret weapon! They add a delightful buttery sweetness and act as a fantastic binder, helping the meatballs hold their shape while contributing to their tender texture. If you don’t have Ritz crackers, regular breadcrumbs (panko or plain) can be used, though you might miss that hint of buttery flavor.
• Onion: Finely diced or grated onion introduces a savory depth and moisture to the meatballs. Grating the onion ensures it practically melts into the mixture, providing flavor without noticeable chunks.
• Garlic: We use both fresh minced garlic for its pungent aroma and garlic powder to layer in a consistent, savory undertone throughout the meatballs. This combination creates a rich, well-rounded garlic flavor.
• Blue Cheese Crumbles: This ingredient adds a sharp, tangy, and slightly pungent note that perfectly complements the buffalo sauce, providing that authentic buffalo wing experience. If blue cheese isn’t your preference, feel free to omit it or substitute with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a milder, salty kick.
• Spices: A blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper is used to season the chicken mixture. These spices enhance the savory notes and add aromatic complexity to the meatballs before they even hit the sauce.
• Buffalo Sauce: The star of the show! Use your favorite brand of buffalo sauce. Keep in mind that different brands vary in heat level and tanginess. If you don’t have a specific “buffalo sauce,” a good quality hot sauce can work, but you might want to add a touch of butter to mimic the richness of traditional buffalo sauce.
• Honey: This is what gives our sauce its signature “honey buffalo” sweetness. It beautifully balances the heat and tang of the buffalo sauce, creating a sticky, caramelized glaze that is simply irresistible. Adjust the amount to your preferred level of sweetness.

Easy Step-By-Step Instructions

Making these honey buffalo chicken meatballs is surprisingly simple! Follow these clear steps to achieve perfectly cooked, flavorful results every time:

1. Prepare Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
2. Mix the Meatball Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, finely diced onions, minced garlic, room temperature egg, all your spices (Kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning), crushed Ritz crackers, blue cheese crumbles (if using), and 1 tablespoon of buffalo sauce. Mix gently until all ingredients are just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough meatballs.
3. Whip Up the Honey Buffalo Sauce: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the remaining buffalo sauce and honey. Give it a taste and adjust the sweetness or spice level to your liking by adding more honey or buffalo sauce as needed.
4. Form the Meatballs: Using a medium cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons per meatball), scoop out portions of the chicken mixture. For perfectly smooth and uniform balls, lightly wet your hands before rolling each portion. Place the formed meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one for even cooking.
5. Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake the meatballs in your preheated oven for 16 minutes. Once they’re lightly browned and cooked through, remove them from the oven.
6. Glaze and Broil: Brush the baked meatballs generously with the honey buffalo sauce you prepared earlier. Return them to the oven and broil for 1-2 minutes. Keep a close eye on them during this stage, as the honey can burn quickly. Broiling helps the sauce caramelize and creates a beautiful, sticky glaze.
7. Coat & Serve: Once broiled, transfer the cooked chicken meatballs to a large bowl. Pour the remaining honey buffalo sauce over them and gently toss until every meatball is thoroughly coated. Serve immediately and get ready to enjoy a burst of sweet and spicy flavor!

Expert Tips for the Best Honey Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Achieve consistently perfect and flavorful meatballs with these essential tips:

• Bring Chicken to Room Temperature: Take the ground chicken out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes before you start mixing. Cooking cold chicken straight from the fridge can lead to uneven cooking, where the outside cooks faster than the inside, resulting in a less juicy interior.
• Wet Your Hands: This simple trick makes a huge difference! Before you start rolling the meatballs, wet your hands with a little water. This prevents the chicken mixture from sticking to your hands and helps you form perfectly smooth, uniform balls with ease.
• Don’t Overcook: Overcooked meatballs are dry meatballs! For the juiciest results, stick to the recommended baking time of 16-18 minutes. An instant-read thermometer should register an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for chicken. The short broil time is just for caramelization, so keep a close watch.
• Customize the Sauce: The beauty of honey buffalo sauce is its versatility. Feel free to adjust the ratio of honey to buffalo sauce to match your preferred level of sweetness and spice. For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of ghost pepper hot sauce. For more sweetness, drizzle in extra honey.
• Serving Suggestions: While fantastic as an appetizer, these meatballs can easily become a full meal. Serve them over fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes (like these!), or even in slider buns with a fresh slaw for a hearty dinner.
• Storing Leftovers: Any leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They make for excellent meal prep!
• Reheating Leftovers: To reheat, place them in the oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave them for a quicker option, though the oven helps maintain texture.
• Low-Carb Option: To make these meatballs low-carb, simply omit the honey (or use a sugar-free sweetener alternative in the sauce) and replace the Ritz crackers with almond flour or crushed pork rinds as a binder.

Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is incredibly flexible, allowing for various tweaks to suit your taste or dietary needs:

• Different Meats: While ground chicken is fantastic, you can easily substitute it with ground turkey, ground pork, or even a lean ground beef for a different flavor profile. Adjust cooking times slightly if using a different meat.
• Binder Alternatives: If Ritz crackers aren’t available, panko breadcrumbs, regular finely crushed breadcrumbs, or even a small amount of oatmeal can work as a binder. For gluten-free options, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour.
• Sweetener Options: Instead of honey, you can use maple syrup or a touch of brown sugar in the sauce for a similar sweet note.
• Cheese Swaps: Not a fan of blue cheese? Crumbled feta cheese or shredded mozzarella can also be added to the meatball mixture for a different creamy and savory element. Alternatively, omit cheese entirely.
• Herb Boost: Fresh parsley or chives, finely chopped, can be added to the meatball mixture for an extra burst of freshness and color.
• Air Fryer Method: For an even crispier exterior, try air frying! Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray the basket lightly with oil. Cook the meatballs for 10-14 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. Toss with sauce and air fry for another 1-2 minutes until glazed.

Can this recipe be made in a crockpot?

Absolutely! This recipe adapts wonderfully to a slow cooker, perfect for keeping the meatballs warm during a party or for a hands-off cooking approach. Here’s how:

1. Bake First: While you could cook them raw in the crockpot, I highly recommend baking the meatballs first according to steps 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the main recipe. This helps them hold their shape better and gives them a desirable browned exterior.
2. Prepare Sauce: Make the honey buffalo sauce as directed in step 3.
3. Slow Cooker Time: Once the meatballs are baked, transfer them to your slow cooker. Pour the honey buffalo sauce over the meatballs and toss gently to coat.
4. Keep Warm or Cook Further:
   • For Serving Warm: Set your crockpot to the “Warm” setting. This is ideal for parties, allowing guests to enjoy hot, saucy meatballs throughout your event.
   • For Cooking from Raw (less recommended): If cooking raw meatballs in the crockpot, shape them, place them in the slow cooker, and then pour the sauce over. Cook on low for 2-3 hours or on high for 1-1.5 hours, or until cooked through (165°F internal temperature). They won’t brown as much this way, but will still be flavorful.

Using a slow cooker is a fantastic way to ensure your honey buffalo chicken meatballs stay moist and infused with flavor, especially for longer gatherings.

What to Serve with Honey Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

These versatile meatballs pair well with a variety of dishes, whether you’re serving them as an appetizer or a main course:

As an Appetizer:

• Classic Blue Cheese Dip: The ultimate pairing! A creamy, tangy blue cheese dip or dressing provides a cooling contrast to the spicy meatballs.
• Ranch Dressing: Another popular choice for those who prefer a milder, herb-infused dip.
• Celery Sticks and Carrot Sticks: Offer fresh, crunchy vegetables for a refreshing bite and a nod to traditional buffalo wing accompaniments.
• Mini Buns/Sliders: Turn them into mini sandwiches by serving them in slider buns with a little extra sauce and a sprinkle of blue cheese.

As a Main Course:

• Rice: Serve over fluffy white or brown rice to soak up all that delicious honey buffalo sauce.
• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes provide a comforting base that beautifully complements the rich flavor of the meatballs.
• Pasta: Toss with a simple pasta like penne or rotini, perhaps with a drizzle of olive oil and some fresh herbs.
• Roasted Vegetables: A side of roasted broccoli, green beans, or asparagus adds a healthy and flavorful element.
• Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing counterpoint to the rich meatballs.
• Coleslaw: A creamy or vinegar-based coleslaw provides a cool, crunchy texture that pairs wonderfully with buffalo flavors.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

These honey buffalo chicken meatballs are fantastic for meal prep or for getting a head start on entertaining:

• Refrigeration: Cooked meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce helps keep them moist.
• Freezing Cooked Meatballs: Once completely cooled, place the sauced meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
• Freezing Uncooked Meatballs: You can also prepare the meatball mixture, roll them into balls, and flash freeze them on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to cook, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then proceed with the baking instructions.
• Make Ahead (Partial): You can prepare the meatball mixture and roll the balls up to 24 hours in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake. The honey buffalo sauce can also be mixed ahead of time and stored in the fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?

Yes, absolutely! Ground turkey (preferably a mix of dark and white meat for moisture) works very well as a substitute. The cooking time should remain similar.

2. How spicy are these meatballs? Can I adjust the heat?

The spice level is moderate, balanced by the sweetness of the honey. You can easily adjust the heat! For less spice, use a milder buffalo sauce or increase the amount of honey. For more heat, choose a hotter buffalo sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture or sauce.

3. What’s the best buffalo sauce to use?

Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce is a classic choice and widely available. However, feel free to use your favorite brand. Different brands offer varying levels of heat and tang, so experiment to find what you like best!

4. How do I prevent the meatballs from drying out?

There are a few key tips: Use ground chicken (not just breast), don’t overmix the meatball mixture, and most importantly, don’t overbake them! Stick to the recommended cooking times and aim for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

5. Can I bake these without broiling?

Yes, you can. The broiling step is primarily for caramelizing the honey buffalo sauce and creating that desirable sticky glaze. If you prefer not to broil, simply bake the meatballs for an additional 2-3 minutes after brushing with sauce, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning.

More Delicious Recipes You’ll Enjoy

If you loved these honey buffalo chicken meatballs, be sure to try these other fantastic recipes:

• Buffalo Chicken Sliders
• Baked Buffalo Wings
• Baked Turkey Meatballs
• Buffalo Shrimp

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