Slow cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Slow cooker buffalo chicken meatballs are an unexpected twist on classic buffalo wings, delivering all that craveable bold and tangy flavor you expect from wings, but without the messy fingers.

They’re perfect for game day, casual gatherings, or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing appetizer that is sure to get the crowd buzzing. Set them out with toothpicks and watch them disappear.

Why These Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Are Perfect for Game Day

Instead of frying wings or juggling trays in the oven, these meatballs simmer gently in the slow cooker, soaking up buffalo sauce and staying tender from start to finish. These means you have more time to cheer on your favorite team and hang with the crowd! (It also means you won’t have guests with messy wing fingers on your couch!)

Why You’ll Love These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs.

• A fun twist on classic buffalo wings—all the flavor, none of the fuss
• Lower calorie than traditional wings, especially when slow-cooked instead of fried
• Easy to make with simple ingredients and minimal prep
• Gluten-free adaptable by using gluten-free panko

These chicken meatballs are low calorie with big buffalo flavor.

If you love buffalo chicken wings but don’t love the calorie commitment, these Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are about to become your favorite bite. They deliver that same bold, tangy buffalo flavor you crave—just in a bite-sized, meatball form. Swapping wings for ground chicken reduces calories dramatically, but without sacrificing any of that indulgent and satisfying buffalo flavor.

2 Quart Slow Cooker (For Dips and Small Meals)

Perfect for dips—and just enough dinner.

From warm party dips to small-batch pulled pork and stews, this 2-quart slow cooker is perfect when a full-size model is simply too much.

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Tips for making buffalo chicken meatballs

• Use a cookie scoop when forming the meatballs. It keeps them uniform in size so they cook evenly and look polished on a platter.
• Don’t overmix the chicken mixture—gentle mixing keeps the meatballs tender, not dense.
• Stick with the right hot sauce. I strongly recommend Frank’s RedHot for authentic buffalo flavor. And just to be clear—never Tabasco. It’s a completely different sauce and won’t give you that classic buffalo taste.
• Keep them warm for serving. The slow cooker doubles as the perfect serving vessel for parties.

Two Ingredient Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken is the best game day recipe you’ll ever need! It is really simple to make and it only requires two ingredients. And it’s low calorie! What more could you want?

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How to make chicken meatballs Gluten-Free

This recipe is easy to adapt for gluten-free guests. Simply swap regular panko for gluten-free panko breadcrumbs—the texture and flavor stay spot on, and no one will notice the difference

Buffalo chicken meatballs are perfect for Super Bowl or any casual party food

These buffalo chicken meatballs disappear fast. They are proof that you don’t need traditional wings to get your buffalo fix. Serve them straight from the slow cooker with toothpicks, add celery sticks and your favorite Blue cheese dip on the side, or pile them onto a platter for great game day grazing.

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Appetizer

This Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatball Appetizer is the effortless party bite every host needs in their back pocket. Toss 3 ingredients into a slow cooker, cook for 2 hours, and watch guests go back for seconds (and thirds). It’s always a crowd favorite.

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Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Christina Collins | Feast & Merriment

These Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are a fun twist on classic buffalo wings, delivering the same bold, tangy heat in an easy, bite-sized form. These low calorie, tender chicken meatballs are simmered low and slow in buffalo sauce making them perfect for game day, casual gatherings, or any time you want a crowd-pleasing appetizer without the mess of wings.

5 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 10 people (2 meatballs each)

Equipment

• 1 small (2.5 qt) slow cooker

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground chicken
• ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 2 green onions scallions, thinly sliced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• ¾ cup buffalo sauce Recommended Frank’s Classic Hot Sauce
• ¼ cup blue cheese dressing

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, Panko, egg, garlic and onion powder and green onions; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Using a fork, stir until well combined. Roll the mixture into small meatballs. (Tip: Use a 1.5 inch tablespoon cookie scoop for consistency.)
• Place meatballs onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 4-5 minutes, or until all sides are browned.
• Place meatballs into a slow cooker. Add buffalo sauce and gently toss to combine. Cover and cook on low heat for 2 hours.
• Serve with your favorite Blue Cheese Sauce on the side for dipping.

Keyword buffalo sauce, party food, slow cooker, Super Bowl

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