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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.
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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
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!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
“Sauce” was terrible. It ended up being thick and disgusting! My husband who normally eats anything would not eat the sauce.
Sorry to hear this, Cait. Thanks for your feedback!
I just want to clarify that hot sauce mentioned in the recipe is different than buffalo sauce mentioned as optional. Is this correct? If so, would Frank’s Red Hot Sauce work for this recipe?
Hey Destiny,
Yes, like to use Frank’s Red Hot Sauce for this recipe:) Please let me know if you have any other questions!
I love pull pork in the crock pot, using garlic cloves in the pork with Tipton onion soup mix, pepper, cumin, celery, red pepper. Cook for 8 hours on low. Use 2 forks to shred pork add your favorite barbecue sauce and serve on bun with coleslaw slaw. Awesome.
Thanks so much for sharing!
I usually love Half-Baked Harvest recipes, but this missed the mark for me. I made it on the stovetop and the sauce ended up super separated and thick, even though I made sure the cream cheese was room temperature. I think there wasn’t enough water because it was only partially covered (vs the crockpot where all liquid would stay inside). It was way too thick even after using an immersion blender on the sauce and adding more liquid.
Hi Zoe,
I appreciate you trying this recipe and so many others. I’m so sorry this did not turn out for you. If there is anything specific I can help with, please let me know! xx
in fairness its designed for a crockpot and that could change it. Ill be making it tonight
These were very good! Great weeknight meal!
Hey Kelly,
Happy Weekend!🍁 I’m so glad this recipe turned out nicely for you, thanks a bunch for making it! xXT
We made this and the whole house loved it. My husband who doesn’t normally love spicy food, said he could eat this everyday. Great for meal prep, looking forward to having the leftovers for lunch!
Hey Stevie,
Happy Fall Sunday!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was a hit! xx
Amazing! I used the Instant Pot – made the rice then followed the recipe as is. I cooked the meatballs on high pressure for 34 minutes (I guessed on time based on other things I have cooked and they came out great!). Everyone liked them and I think the leftovers were even better. Part of the regular rotation now.
Hey Lisa,
Awesome! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing what worked well for you! So glad it was enjoyed! Have a great autumn Friday! Xx
This Crockpot Creamy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs recipe looks absolutely amazing!
Thanks so much, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Hello! Can I sear for a crust, then put in the crockpot? I am worried I will have 1 massive stuck ball since all the raw meatballs are cooed together, touching. 😉 Thanks!
Hey Erin,
Totally, that will work nicely for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
These were delicious and easy! So often chicken meatballs come out dry and sad but these were tender and awesome. Served with homemade blue cheese dressing on the side. Thanks for a great and cozy one-pot meal!
Hey Sarah,
Awesome! Thank you so much for trying this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! Xx
How can I make this in a regular pot? Can I add spaghetti to make it spicy spaghetti and meatballs?
Hi there,
You can go ahead and follow the stove top instructions:) I would make the pasta on the side and then top with the meatballs. I hope you love this recipe! xT
Made this for dinner tonight and it was so good! First time making meatballs in the slow cooker and they turned out great. Will be making again! Have not had a bad recipe yet, and we’ve tried a few. 😉
Hey Jeri,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was a winner! Have a great Thursday! x
Hey, just a note, it looks like you left where to add the chili powder in the recipe. I assumed it was to the meatball mix, though.
Hi Vitus,
Yes, that is correct! Thanks for letting me know! I hope you enjoyed the recipe! xT
Loved this! I subbed in BBQ sauce instead of hot sauce (can’t handle the heat 🌶️!) and it was delicious! My broccoli was frozen so I added it a little earlier. Love recipes like this bc I feel like I can learn from this and tweak as I go into the future with different flavors/sauces/veggies, try to make it “healthier” or go all out! I had never done meatballs in the crockpot, so adding that to my repertoire is amazing!
Hey Joanna,
Awesome! So glad to hear this recipe turned out nicely for you! Thanks a lot for making it:) xT
Love this recipe so much! Thank you for sharing. Would these meatballs freeze well?
Hey Jenna,
Love to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! Yes, you could totally freeze these meatballs, that will work nicely for you! xT