These paleo and Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are loaded with flavor and quite a crowd pleaser. They are perfect for all of your football game day snack needs as well as an easy paleo dinner. For dinner we like to serve them with roasted broccoli. The homemade buffalo sauce combined with the homemade ranch dressing makes these meatballs oh so delicious.
These meatballs are a great meal option to prepare in advance for your lunches for the week ahead! Pair them with some cauliflower rice and broccoli and you are ready to go.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- One of the best things about this recipe is how simple it is, you only need a key few ingredients and you can buy pre-made paleo ranch and buffalo sauce if you would prefer.
- This recipe is naturally gluten free, dairy free, paleo, soy free, and Whole30.
- I like to pair this recipe with my go to broccoli recipe.
- This recipe is great to meal prep for your week ahead!
- You can serve this dish as a meal or as an appetizer.
- If your kids don’t like spice, you can always leave some meatballs without sauce so the whole family can enjoy!
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- Ground chicken– I personally love the ground chicken thighs because I feel like they have more flavor, however you can use lean chicken if you would prefer.
- Spices– do not skimp on the spices. This is what makes these meatballs loaded with flavor!
For the buffalo sauce:
**You can opt to buy pre-made from a store if you would like to save time, but it literally takes 2 minutes to make!
- Ghee– The ghee is what gives this whole30 buffalo sauce a creamy texture. If you cannot tolerate ghee, you can use vegan butter.
- Hot sauce– I like this one. It is a whole30 and paleo complaint.
For the ranch:
- Avocado mayo– I love this brand of avocado mayo. I prefer avocado mayo vs. regular mayo because it is made with healthier (omega-3 fats)
- Spices– don’t skip! It is what gives this whole30 dressing its flavor.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions And Variations
- You can make this recipe with either homemade buffalo sauce or ranch dressing or pre-made.
- You can change the spice of this recipe by changing the type of hot sauce used to make the homemade buffalo sauce.
This recipe has not been tested with any other substitutions or variations. If you try something else out please let me know how it turns out in the comments below!
Step By Step Instructions
Equipment
Expert Tips
- Tip # 1: You can serve the meatballs as is with toothpicks for an appetizer with the drizzles ranch on top or you can make them into a meal.
- Tip # 2: If you are choosing to make them into a meal I like to serve them with roasted broccoli or cauliflower rice.
- Tip # 3: If you want to make ahead of time, freeze the meatballs before mixing in buffalo sauce.
Recipe FAQ
I suggest reheating in the oven at 350 degrees F for 5-10 minutes. Drizzle with extra sauce when you remove from oven to prevent the meatballs from drying out.
I like to pair these meatballs with cauliflower rice and roasted broccoli.
Yes! I would freeze the meatballs before tossing them in the buffalo sauce.
Storage Instructions
- This recipe can be stored in the refrigerator for 5 days in an air tight container.
Other Paleo Meatball Recipes You Will Love
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Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (Whole30, Paleo)
Equipment
- 2 mixings bowl
- measuring spoons
- cookie sheet
- Sauce pan
- measuring cups
Ingredients
For the buffalo sauce: (or you can sub for pre- made paleo sauce)
For the meatballs:
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
For the homemade ranch: (optional)
- 1/2 cup avocado mayo
- 2 tsp dried dill
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place all meatball ingredients in a bowl and mix with your hands until the spices are well mixed in. Grab your non stick baking sheet. If things tend to stick, add some oil to the dish. Using a cookie scooper or your hands, roll the meat into 1 inch meatballs. Add the meatballs to the tray. Bake the meatballs for 25 minutes.
For the sauce:
- Add the ghee and hot sauce to a sauce pan and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes while the meatballs are cooking.
For the homemade ranch:
- Mix all ingredients in one bowl, drizzle on top, then serve.
Melody Johnson says
These buffalo chicken meatballs are SOOO good! I made them for dinner this week and my family loved them. The recipe was very easy to follow and I will definitely be adding them into my regular rotation of recipes.
Allianna Moximchalk says
This makes me so happy to hear Melody! I am so glad you and your family enjoyed them as much as I do 🙂
Danielle says
Love this recipe! Easy to make and clean up! Super yummy! I use this recipe and meal prep with cauliflower rice and the bacon Brussels sprout recipe! Such a great recipe to grab and reheat! I keep some of the meatballs out of the Buffalo sauce and feed to my 1 and 4 yr old daughters and they love it!
Allianna Moximchalk says
I love that your kiddo loves them too! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Rachel says
These buffalo meatballs are so easy to make, taste delicious AND makes your house smell amazing! They will be a staple recipe in our house! Perfect for a game day or quick enough to make for lunch. 😋
Allianna Moximchalk says
Thanks Rachel! I am so glad you like them !
Lori says
These are so good!! They make the perfect appetizer – we love making these!
Allianna Moximchalk says
These are one of my favorites! Thanks for your review !
Alice says
These are insanely good!
Allianna Moximchalk says
I am so glad you liked them!
Allison P says
Very simple to make, and delicious!
Allianna Moximchalk says
I am so glad you enjoyed!
Christina Abernethy says
These are so good! Super easy to make and family approved! They freeze well too!
Andrea B says
These are one of my favorite meals to order, today I made them for lunches this week. They have amazing flavor and are so easy to make! The homemade ranch is delicious too!
Yay! This makes me so happy to hear!