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Crispy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs: 30-Min Easy Dinner

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These crispy buffalo chicken meatballs offer a perfect balance of shatteringly crisp exterior and juicy interior, tossed in a spicy Frank’s RedHot butter sauce and served with a cool, tangy blue cheese dip.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground chicken thigh meat
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot Sauce
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 pinch celery salt
  • 1 cup blue cheese dressing
  • 1 tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Neutral oil (vegetable or canola) for frying

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, 1/2 cup panko, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with hands until just combined.
  2. Roll mixture into 1.5-inch uniform balls. Place on a parchment-lined plate and refrigerate for 30 minutes to help them hold their shape.
  3. Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: one with remaining panko mixed with salt/pepper, one with beaten egg wash, and one with flour.
  4. Dredge each chilled meatball in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in egg wash, letting excess drip off. Roll in seasoned panko, pressing gently to adhere.
  5. Heat 1/2 inch of neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C).
  6. Fry meatballs in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Do not overcrowd the pan.
  7. Remove fried meatballs with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack to drain. Let rest for 1 minute.
  8. While frying, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Whisk in Frank’s RedHot sauce and celery salt to create the buffalo sauce.
  9. Place fried meatballs in a large bowl. Pour buffalo sauce over them and toss gently to coat.
  10. Mix blue cheese dressing with sour cream or Greek yogurt to create the dipping sauce.
  11. Serve immediately with the blue cheese dip on the side.

Notes

Do not skip the resting step after frying; letting them sit on the wire rack allows the coating to set and stay crispier when tossed in sauce. Keep the meatball mixture cold before cooking to prevent falling apart. For a healthier option, bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, though they will be less crispy than fried.

Nutrition

Keywords: buffalo chicken meatballs, crispy chicken meatballs, game day food, easy dinner, blue cheese dip, spicy chicken, air fryer alternative, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://mandydishes.com/crispy-buffalo-chicken-meatballs-30-min-easy-dinner/