Bold Party Appetizer

Category: Perfect Party Bites and Snack Recipes

These juicy bites mix chicken and turkey with bold buffalo flavors, paired with creamy blue cheese and crisp celery on the side.
Mena
Updated on Tue, 27 May 2025 14:29:52 GMT
Plate piled with saucy chicken bites, sprinkled with green onions and cheese, with a second plate visible in the back. Save
Plate piled with saucy chicken bites, sprinkled with green onions and cheese, with a second plate visible in the back. | delishdocket.com

Crowd-pleasing Buffalo Chicken Meatballs save game nights and laid-back meals for me. After too many rounds of messy wings, I found these easy bites that pack all the spicy flavor we crave. They're juicy, totally tender, and bring that iconic heat in every mouthful.

Why These Stand Out

The secret? Combining turkey with chicken keeps things juicy. I toss in chopped veggies, just enough breadcrumbs, and mix it all with that buttery buffalo tang. Skipping the wings but not the flavor is my move here.

What You’ll Want

  • For the Sauce: Melted butter mixed with more Frank's RedHot.
  • Ground Meat: Use 85/20 turkey and 85/15 chicken so your meatballs stay juicy.
  • Binders: Let panko breadcrumbs sit in milk so the texture stays light.
  • For Serving: Blue cheese crumbles and dressing with crunchy celery on the side.
  • Aromatics: Chop up celery, fresh garlic, and onion really fine.
  • Seasonings: A mix of salt, black pepper, parsley, and Frank’s RedHot sauce does the trick.
A plate holding spicy meatballs smothered in sauce, next to a small bowl of ranch and crisp celery sticks. Save
A plate holding spicy meatballs smothered in sauce, next to a small bowl of ranch and crisp celery sticks. | delishdocket.com

Awesome How-To

Bake and Sauce
Pop onto your foil tray and bake until they're cooked, then swirl in warm buffalo sauce.
Form the Meatballs
Roll the mix into balls—don’t squeeze too much! Scoop each out for even sizes.
Make the Mix
Pour milk, hot sauce, seasonings, eggs, and veggies into soaked breadcrumbs, mixing gently.
Prep the Base
First, chop aromatics, sauté until soft, and let cool while working on other steps.

My Best Tricks

Want them soft? Wiggle the meat with just your fingertips—using your palms can warm the mix up too much, so it'll go tough. When you dip 'em in sauce, move in small groups and use a gentle touch. They're extra breakable if they're warm out of the oven!

Switch It Up

They're total chameleons! I serve them as starters, but stuffing them in subs is next-level good. Chopped up on pizza or piled over rice—go wild. This simple method doesn't mind your experiments.

A plate topped with spicy sauced meatballs, a scoop of creamy dip, and crunchy veggie sticks on the side. Save
A plate topped with spicy sauced meatballs, a scoop of creamy dip, and crunchy veggie sticks on the side. | delishdocket.com

Stash For Later

Stick them in the fridge for three days, or freeze and keep fresh up to three months. Skip saucing until serving. Freeze in a single layer at first, then pile in bags—no clumps when you need one fast!

Ultimate Sides

You can’t forget classic pairings—cool blue cheese dip and snappy celery always fit. I pile on extra blue cheese for fellow fans. A cold beer fits right in, too.

Why These Rule

Same bold wing flavor, none of the mess. Dinner, parties, prepping ahead, or craving comfort—everyone grabs seconds. I’ve yet to have leftovers after putting them out for a crowd!

A platter of meatballs glazed in buffalo sauce, fresh green onions sprinkled over, with ranch dip and celery stacked nearby. Save
A platter of meatballs glazed in buffalo sauce, fresh green onions sprinkled over, with ranch dip and celery stacked nearby. | delishdocket.com

Summary

Enjoy these tasty buffalo chicken bites, made with a blend of ground poultry and tossed in spicy sauce. Great for parties, served alongside celery and blue cheese.

Recipe FAQs

→ What’s the benefit of mixing meats?
Using ground turkey and chicken together gives a good mix of flavor and texture without being too dry.
→ Why chop veggies finely?
Finely cut veggies help spread flavor evenly and add moisture without making the meat too soft.
→ What’s wrong with spatulas?
Using tongs prevents breaking delicate bites, and helps drain extra oil better than a spatula.
→ Can I prep days before?
Sure thing! Cook ahead, but keep the sauce for last so the bites don’t get soggy.

Spicy Chicken Bites

Juicy meatballs packed with chicken and turkey, tossed in a zesty sauce, served with celery and cheese.

Prep Time
40 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
60 min
By: Mena


Skill Level: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 Servings (56 meatballs)

Dietary Preferences: ~

Ingredients

01 1/4 cup parsley, chopped.
02 2 garlic cloves.
03 1 cup diced celery, plus extra sticks for the side.
04 1 pound ground turkey (80/20).
05 1 pound ground chicken (85/15).
06 4 tablespoons of butter.
07 1 cup diced sweet onion.
08 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of Frank's RedHot sauce.
09 1 cup panko breadcrumbs.
10 2 eggs.
11 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
12 2 tablespoons milk.
13 Blue cheese dressing along with some crumbles for topping.

Steps

Step 01

Throw onion, garlic, and celery into a processor with oil, blitz until finely minced, then sauté it for 4 minutes.

Step 02

Stir together hot sauce, milk, breadcrumbs, eggs, and softened veggies, sprinkling in your spices.

Step 03

Add the meat to the binder, mix well, and shape into little 1-ounce spheres.

Step 04

Bake them in the oven at 400°F for 16-18 minutes till golden.

Step 05

Mix melted butter with hot sauce and coat the meatballs evenly.

Step 06

Drizzle blue cheese on top, and set it out with celery and dip on the side.

Notes

  1. Yields 56 bite-sized meatballs.
  2. Take it easy when they're hot.
  3. Only sauce them right before eating.

Required Tools

  • A food processor.
  • Baking tray.
  • Scoop for 1-ounce portions.

Allergy Information

Check every ingredient for allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains dairy (butter, blue cheese).
  • Includes eggs.
  • Contains wheat (panko breadcrumbs).

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are for informational purposes and don't replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 265
  • Fats: 16.1 g
  • Carbs: 10.3 g
  • Proteins: 20 g