Dive In: Mozzarella-Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Posted On September 9, 2015

So I heard TLC stands for Tender Loving Care… but how about Tender Loving CHICKEN! I have a crazy obsession with hot sauce and anything with the name “buffalo” in the title. Imagine my waterworks of joy when I discovered the ability to make buffalo chicken meatballs…and later stuffed them with cheese.

There’s nothing quite like a finger food with a spicy kick, especially for those who find themselves dancing around the kitchen instead of being seated at a table. These meatballs are not only super cheap + super quick to make, but they are also easy and completely drool-worthy.

I’ve made these babies for dinner, for appetizers, for work potlucks, and more. I’m constantly getting asked for the recipe, so alas, here you go!

**NOTE: recipe makes 24 meatballs

WHAT DO I NEED?

  • 1 pound of ground chicken (don’t try and substitute with beef or turkey!)
  • 1 egg white
  • 3 pieces of mozzarella string cheese
  • ¾ cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 1/3 cup + ½ cup Frank’s Buffalo Sauce – divide out
  • ¼ cup chopped celery
  • Ranch dressing (or blue cheese for you weirdos)

 

 WHAT DO I DO?

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the bread crumbs, 1/3 cup buffalo sauce, celery, and egg white.

**How do I get just an egg white? Crack an egg open, and carefully pour the yolk from egg half to egg half, repeat as necessary. The egg whites will fall into the bowl, while the yolk remains in the shell.

  1. Add the ground chicken to the large bowl + mix everything together. The easiest way to do this is ensure your hands are clean, and literally massage the chicken over and over until all has been mixed.
  2. Cut the (3) string cheeses into 24 pieces (roughly 8 small pieces per 1 string cheese).
  3. Mold the ground chicken mix around the piece of mozzarella, into a 1-inch ball.
  4. Place on a greased, shallow baking sheet.
  5. Bake roughly 21-23 minutes. I always opt for 20-21 minutes and then monitor the meatballs closely. (Do not fret if they start oozing cheese or turn dark on the bottom – every meatball is different!)
  6. Remove meatballs from baking sheet + toss with ½ cup buffalo sauce.
  7. Optional: drizzle ranch/blue cheese on top OR serve as dipping sauce.
  8. Enjoy!!!

 

Plan on making these meatballs? I want to see! Capture some photos and tag @thelifecoast on Instagram.