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Meet your new fall game-night favorite: tender buffalo-spiced meatballs simmered low and slow, then tossed in a creamy white cheddar sauce with broccoli. It’s cozy, saucy, and wildly weeknight-friendly.
Serve family-style over fluffy rice (beer bread on the side = chef’s kiss) or set them out appetizer-style with ranch for dipping. Either way, they disappear fast.
I’ve been most excited to share this recipe for weeks now. It was something so simple and easy that I threw together, but it turned out so delicious. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting anything super special out of this recipe. Meatballs are meatballs, you know? And meatballs in buffalo sauce? I wasn’t even sure the concept would go over well, but wow, we loved it!
I made these originally to please my oldest brother, Creighton. He loves meatballs more than most, but I thought he might find these different and fun.
Plus, I love the idea of this as a fall recipe. You can make these as an appetizer for fall game nights or serve them more family-style, like I do, and enjoy them with rice.
Since I’m back to using the crockpot (what seems like every other day), I made these meatballs into a fast, totally no-fuss recipe.
You simply roll ground chicken into meatballs, add them to the crockpot with sauce, and slow cook. It’s the easiest process! I also shared the stove-top variation for anyone who needs a quick 30-minute dinner!
Perfectly yummy either way!
These are the details
Step 1: make the meatballs
Mix together the meatballs. I used ground chicken for these meatballs, but you can use ground chicken, pork, or a mix. They’re all very similar. I love mixing turkey and pork for best flavor.
For texture and to help bind the meat together, I add panko breadcrumbs. For flavor, I add onion powder, garlic powder, and chipotle chili powder, then season lightly with salt and black pepper.
Step 2: slow-cook the meatballs
Now add the meatballs to the crockpot and pour over a pretty good amount of your favorite hot sauce and some water. Add the butter for the sauce, then cover the crockpot and let the meatballs cook. I usually cook for 1-2 hours on high or 3 to 4 hours on low.
Step 3: make the sauce creamy
When the meatballs are cooked, mix in a block of cream cheese, a couple of handfuls of cheddar cheese, and lots of fresh broccoli. Aside from the broccoli, this is very similar to how you would make buffalo chicken dip.
Let the meatballs and broccoli cook on high for 5 or 10 minutes. Just until the sauce is very creamy and the cheese has melted.
Step 4: extra buffalo sauce, top, and serve
Before serving, you can mix up a homemade buffalo sauce with equal amounts of melted butter and hot sauce, and a good pinch of seasoned salt. This is my go-to sauce.
This is “extra,” and while you don’t need it, it will make every bite of this dish much yummier. Of course, if you like less heat, adjust to your taste!
Or have fun and serve the meatballs in the sauce as an appetizer with lots of ranch dressing for dipping. That would be so yummy too!
If you decide to serve these meatballs as a meal over rice, beer bread on the side is a must. You can mop up all the sauce with a slice of beer bread. It sounds a little different, but it’s so good, and beer bread is my favorite this time of year – I always make it with pumpkin beer!
Looking for other easy family dinners? Here are a few ideas:
One Pot Buffalo Chicken “Helper”
Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole
One Pan Autumn Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
Easy Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese
Pumpkin Cheese Stuffed Pasta Bolognese Bake
One Skillet Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake
Lastly, if you make these Crockpot Creamy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 466 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey or chicken
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- salt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3-4 cups chopped broccoli
- 4 green onions, chopped
- buffalo sauce, for serving (optional)
- ranch dressing, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Crockpot
- 1. Add the chicken, panko, parmesan, onion powder, and garlic powder, to a bowl. Season with salt. Mix to combine. Roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls and place in the crockpot. Pour over the hot sauce and 1/4 cup water. Add the butter. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours.2. Crank the heat on the slow cooker to high. Stir in the cream cheese, and cheddar cheese. Add the broccoli. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, or until the sauce is creamy.3. Serve the meatballs, broccoli, and sauce over rice and topped with green onions, cilantro, and ranch. Or skip the broccoli and serve as an appetizer!
Stove
- 1. Add the chicken, panko, parmesan, onion powder, and garlic powder, to a bowl. Season with salt. Mix to combine. Roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls and place in a skillet with high sides. Pour over the hot sauce and 1/4 cup water. Add the butter. Turn the burner to medium. Partially cover the skillet and cook, stirring around the halfway point, 15-20 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through.2. Stir in the cheddar and cream cheese, then add the broccoli. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the sauce is creamy.3. Serve the meatballs, broccoli, and sauce over rice and topped with green onions, cilantro, and ranch. Or skip the broccoli and serve as an appetizer!
This post was originally published on September 5, 2024
Did I miss when the chiptole powder is added? I assume to the meatball mix. Making these tonight! 🙂
Hi Kate,
You can add the chipotle powder in step 1. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
These meatballs were delicious!!! Loved them!!!
Hey Lori,
Awesome! Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! Happy Sunday! x
Tieghan
What can I use instead of hot sauce? Making it for little kids. They don’t like spicy.
Thank you
Hi Suzanne,
I would recommend skipping this recipe:) Here are some others you might enjoy:
https://fett-weg.today/marry-me-chicken-meatballs/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://fett-weg.today/curry-chicken-meatballs/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://fett-weg.today/honey-garlic-meatballs/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> I have a bunch more as well! I hope this helps! xT
This recipe is delicious! It was a huge game-day hit and will now be in a regular rotation.
Hey Stacey,
Amazing! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe and your comment, so glad it turned out well for you! xT
could broccoli rabe be used intead
Hi Andrew,
Totally, that would also work nicely for you! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
Another great recipe! I doubled it and it came out great! Thank you!
Thanks so much, Julianna! So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for making it! x
Why don’t you add egg to your meatball recipes? The meatballs tend to be hard without an egg. Is there a reason?
Hi Geraldine,
I just don’t feel like the meatballs need the egg in this recipe, but you could certainly add one if you like! xx
Tieghan, this recipe is delicious. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much, Judy! Love to hear that you enjoyed this dish! xT
I am not going to give stars because I am pretty sure the errors were mine. The meatballs totally stuck to the bottom of the pan during the first stage of cooking and I had to abort just doesn’t seem like there is enough liquid but I will give it another shot later this week with the slow cooker
Hi Kate,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear you had some issues. Please let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xT
How long should I cook if I substitute frozen meatballs?
Hey Tiffany,
You should be able to follow the recipe as written:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
I am assuming the chipotle chili powder goes into the meat mixture, correct?
I read through the instructions a couple times and don’t see it listed, I definitely could just be missing it!
Making this recipe as we speak, we love a good buffalo chicken recipe in our family. Thank you HBH!
Hi Brook,
Yes, that is correct, so sorry for any confusion! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
Do you plan to update the recipe instructions to include the chili powder?
Yes, I will get that added:)
Still waiting for the update.
Made this tonight and it was absolutely delicious!!
Hey Lori,
Happy Friday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, love to hear that it turned out well! xx
Do you by any chance have the instapot instructions? I find using that after work easier if I haven’t thought to put the crockpot on in the morning! Thanks!
Hi Ann,
I didn’t test this in the instant pot so I don’t have the exact instructions, but that should work nicely for you! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
Could I use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese ?
Hey Kimberly,
Sure, that would be just fine for you to do! Let me know if you give this dish a try, I hope you love it! xT
It’s lazy not to include a full nutrition label with recipes these days. Just listing calories is not enough.
It’s lazy not to put your own numbers into a calorie counter if that’s your prerogative. There’s 100 different variables based on optional listed ingredients of choice. Why don’t you take ownership of your own health and expectations instead of expecting them from someone else?
Tamara! Leave Tieghan alone! She’s the best at what she does!
And it’s rude and crass to leave a comment like that for a FREE recipe.