A new take on a classic

Who doesn’t like Buffalo wings with crudités and ranch sauce? A pub favourite, this staple dish goes great with beer, cocktails, or any other drink. And we have a more sophisticated version for your happy hour – the same sweet, salty, spicy taste as traditional wings, but in meatballs! A big plus: they aren’t as greasy or as messy. Top them with a homemade ranch sauce and serve them on a platter, with toothpicks.

To each their sauce

You can also serve these meatballs with a variety of sauces: a blue cheese sauce; a sharper, hot pepper sauce; a classic barbecue sauce; a cream cheese and red pepper sauce; or a soya, maple, garlic, and ginger-based Asian sauce. So many sauces, so little time!

Crudités and more

In keeping with the pub theme, in addition to the good old celery and carrot sticks, you can serve your Buffalo chicken meatballs with a crunchy coleslaw, potato skins and sour cream, corn chips with salsa and guacamole, or warm spinach dip.

Buffalo chicken meatballs and ranch sauce

Preparation: 30 minutes
Cooking: About 20 minutes
Makes 25 meatballs

Ingredients

Meatballs
454 g (1 lb) ground chicken
60 mL (1/4 cup) breadcrumbs
60 mL (1/4 cup) grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
30 mL (2 tbsp) chives, minced
125 mL (1/2 cup) store-bought Buffalo sauce
45 mL (3 tbsp) melted butter

Ranch sauce
125 mL (1/2 cup) sour cream or plain yogurt
125 mL (1/2 cup) buttermilk
30 mL (2 tbsp) Dijon mustard
1 small garlic clove, finely chopped
30 mL (2 tbsp) flat parsley, finely chopped
30 mL (2 tbsp) chives, minced
30 mL (2 tbsp) dill, minced
Salt and pepper

Garnish
Green onions, chopped

Preparation

Meatballs
1. Preheat oven to 200 °C (400 °F).
2. In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients, except the Buffalo sauce and melted butter. Season and shape into small meatballs.
3. Place the meatballs onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Cook about 20 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.
5. In a small bowl, combine the Buffalo sauce and melted butter.
6. Coat the meatballs with the Buffalo sauce for a glazed effect.
7. Ranch sauce: Mix all the ranch sauce ingredients together in a bowl.
8. Serve the chicken meatballs with the ranch sauce. Garnish with chopped green onions.

What to drink with these buffalo chicken meatballs?

Beer is the first thing that comes to mind as the perfect Buffalo chicken pairing. Refreshing and thirst-quenching, it creates a great contrast for those warm, savoury sauces. For these meatballs, go for a blonde, such as a Pilsner, which offers mellow bitterness and a perfect balance of malt and hops. For wine, opt for light, full-bodied reds with maximum freshness, such as a Gamay or Pinot Noir. Fruity, fresh, and voluptuous, they go well with a variety of appetizers… including our chicken meatballs!

Prepare a trendy snack that’ll please everyone: a hummus bar!
Recipe and pairing suggestions here.

Photos: Valeria Bismar