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Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sandwiches

Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sandwiches

Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sandwiches combine tender, juicy ground chicken meatballs coated in zesty buffalo sauce, layered between soft, sturdy sandwich buns. This recipe offers a perfect balance of spicy heat, tangy flavor, and savory goodness, making it a crowd-pleasing meal ideal for game days, gatherings, or casual meals. Easy to prepare and customizable in heat level, these sandwiches provide a lean, nutritious protein option bursting with bold flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs for GF option)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Sauce and Assembly

  • 3/4 cup buffalo sauce (adjust heat level to taste)
  • Soft sandwich buns (brioche, ciabatta, or gluten-free buns as preferred)
  • Ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing (optional, for drizzling)
  • Celery sticks (for garnish and serving)
  • Carrot sticks (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the meatball mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined to keep the meatballs tender.
  2. Form and cook meatballs: Shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. Cook them in a skillet over medium heat or bake at 400°F (200°C) in the oven until cooked through and golden on the outside, about 12–15 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  3. Coat meatballs in buffalo sauce: Transfer the cooked meatballs to a separate bowl and toss with buffalo sauce until thoroughly coated, ensuring each bite is bursting with flavor.
  4. Assemble the sandwiches: Layer the buffalo chicken meatballs onto the sandwich buns. Optionally, drizzle ranch or blue cheese dressing over the meatballs, then top with fresh celery sticks for added crunch and freshness.
  5. Serve and enjoy: Serve the sandwiches immediately while warm, accompanied by celery and carrot sticks or your favorite sides like crispy chips or sweet potato fries.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the meatball mixture to avoid tough meatballs; gentle mixing keeps them tender.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
  • For extra flavor, make your own buffalo sauce to control heat and freshness.
  • Lightly toast sandwich buns before assembling to prevent sogginess and add crunch.
  • If baking meatballs, chill the shaped meatballs in the fridge before baking to maintain their shape.
  • Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
  • Reheat frozen meatballs thoroughly and toss in buffalo sauce again before assembling.

Nutrition

Keywords: Buffalo chicken, meatball sandwich, spicy sandwich, buffalo sauce, ground chicken, easy dinner, game day recipe, gluten free, spicy sandwich