Description

These easy, set-and-forget slow cooker buffalo chicken meatballs are the ultimate game day finger food. Juicy, flavorful, and beginner-proof, they require zero active cooking time and deliver authentic buffalo taste without the mess of wings.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 pounds ground chicken (regular, not breast meat)
1/2 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 large egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Black pepper to taste
1.5 cups Frank’s RedHot Sauce
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
1/2 cup blue cheese dressing (optional)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, cheddar cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with hands until just combined; do not overmix.
Roll the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs (approx. 24-30 meatballs).
In a separate bowl, whisk together the Frank’s RedHot Sauce and melted butter. Add blue cheese dressing if using.
Pour half of the buffalo sauce into the bottom of a 4-6 quart slow cooker.
Place the meatballs into the slow cooker in a single layer if possible.
Pour the remaining buffalo sauce over the meatballs.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 3-4 hours, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Turn slow cooker to WARM. Serve with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid dense, rubbery meatballs. Use Frank’s RedHot for authentic flavor. Melt butter completely before mixing into the sauce to ensure proper emulsification. Meatballs can be frozen uncooked for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2-3 hours
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 meatballs per serv
Calories: 280
Sugar: 2
Sodium: 650
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 7
Carbohydrates: 8
Protein: 22

Keywords: buffalo chicken meatballs, slow cooker recipes, game day snacks, easy appetizers, crockpot chicken, football food, finger food