Are you ready for some meeeeatballllls??
Who’s excited for the Super Bowl next weekend (or rather, the food and commercials!?) I don’t follow the two teams going head to head, though Ben informed me that the coaches are brothers. Brothers! Can you imagine competing against your sibling for the title of best football team in America?
The biggest thing my brothers compete over is who can drink the most eggnog before waving the white flag, or…worse…every Christmas during their annual Nog-Off. Don’t they feel silly now! (Now?)
Anyways, Super Bowl Sunday is notorious for extravagant, heavy spreads, and while I’m all for an occasional indulgence, it’s nice to have something that tastes naughty, but is actually fairly nice to snack on during the big game, like Feta-Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Meatballs.
Full of that signature flavor and spice, yet made with low-fat ground chicken and bold seasonings, Feta-Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Meatballs will be the first app to go on your Super Bowl spread!
Start by grating 1/4 small red onion into a large bowl, then adding 2 garlic cloves that have been microplaned or minced.
Next add 1 egg white, and 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs. Panko bread crumbs are light and airy vs regular breadcrumbs which are dense and heavy, and keep these meatballs perfectly light. To make this recipe gluten-free, use crushed Rice Chex instead!
Add 1 tablespoon Ranch Dip Mix, then stir everything together with a fork.
Finally, add 1lb lean, ground chicken breast then mix everything together with your hands until just combined (don’t over-mix or the meat will become tough.) Divide the chicken mixture into 4 sections, then divide each section in half, to form 8 sections.
Form 2 meatballs out of each section, then stuff 1/2″ cube feta cheese (could use bleu cheese crumbles – I loathe me some stinky cheese, though!) into the center, then close the chicken around it.
Place the meatballs onto a nonstick-sprayed cooling rack set on top of a foil-lined baking sheet, then bake for 16-18 minutes, or until cooked all the way through.
While the meatballs are doin’ their thang, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-heat, then add 1 cup Frank’s Buffalo Sauce. The one and only!
Keep the sauce warm over low heat, then add the meatballs when they’re done, and use a spoon to coat.
Keep the meatballs warm in the skillet, or transfer to a small crock pot. Serve with toothpicks and dig in!
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Feta-Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Description
Feta-Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are full of flavor and spice, and will be the first appetizer to go at your next party or get-together!
Ingredients
- 1lb ground chicken breast
- 1/4 small red onion, grated or minced
- 2 gloves garlic, microplaned or minced
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs or crushed Rice Chex to make gluten free
- 1 tablespoon powdered Ranch Dip mix
- 4oz block feta cheese, cut into 1/2” cubes
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup buffalo wing sauce
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Stir together red onion, garlic, egg white, bread crumbs, and ranch dip mix in a large bowl. Add ground chicken then mix until just combined. Divide mixture into quarters, then each quarter into 4 balls. Press a cube of feta into the center of each ball then close mixture around cheese to seal. Place meatballs onto a non-stick sprayed cooling rack set on top of a baking sheet, then bake for 16-18 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat then add buffalo wing sauce and stir to combine. Add cooked meatballs to skillet then use a spoon to coat in sauce. Place a lid on top and turn heat to low to keep warm.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Moist, spicy, and perfectly poppable, you’ll want to make a double batch of these Feta-Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Meatballs. They’re absolutely addicting!
Try these other Super Bowl-friendly eats next weekend!
Roasted Jalapeno Popper Potato Skins
Almond-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Drizzle
Buffalo Chicken Poppers with Avocado Bleu Cheese Dip
I’ve made two of your recipes the past 2 nights(Shrimp and asparagus risotto and cheesy taco soup) and have been amazed! Now, I really want to try these too! :) You always have the best recipes!
The coaches have an Iowa connection. Their dad was an assistant coach at Iowa when they were kids. There was a cute picture in the Iowa City paper recently.
Buh-bye bleu cheese…helllllo feta! Nice twist on a classic, Kristin :)
I love all the little healthy modifications you made! These sound too good.
Would these be good without the cheese do you think?
Perfect for the Super Bowl! I love that they are stuffed–you really can’t go wrong with a stuffed meatball!
These are perfect! I’ve been on a major Franks Red Hot kick lately… just made tacos with it lastnight. Love your blog!
What a cool recipe! Those will be a winner at ANY sports party.
These look killer! Can you recommend an alternative cheese perhaps?? My husband is not a feta fan….(I know!!! Right!!)
not only are the coaches brothers, but their sister is married to the indiana university basketball coach. i live in bloomington, IN and go to graduate school at IU so we’re all pretty excited about it here. :) these meatballs sound awesome!
Those look so cute and delicious! I will definitely have to make these for a potluck at work!
Kristin, these look amazing! My husband is sure to go bananas for these (he can’t get enough of buffalo-style anything!).
Go Ravens!!!
Man, if I ate meat these would be perfect! Always full of good ideas, you are. (that’s my Yoda voice talking)
I have everything I need to make these!!! Forget football. How about lunch?!
I’ve stuffed meatballs with mozzarella and burgers with feta but never meatballs with feta. Love it!
These look amazing!!! I love this idea so so much.
YUM!!! Any recipe that includes Frank’s Hot Sauce is is a winner in my book :) I love that these meatballs are made with ground chicken – a slightly healthy Super Bowl treat!
HOLY YUM!!! I looooveeeee buffalo sauce and feta! I am 100% making this for the superbowl party!
These look amazzzzing! I sometimes get weird cravings for buffalo sauce and these would be right up my alley :)
They look delicious, but a little to spice for my taste! Do you recommend any sauce with just a mild kick?
Hey Olivia! You might see if your store carries a mild buffalo sauce. Otherwise you could replace it with BBQ sauce, and maybe a hunk of cheddar in the center instead of feta.