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So, the other day I came across these cray-cray Jalapeno Cheddar Chicken Meatball Sandwiches from How Sweet Eats and I thought to myself, “Self! You will make those for dinner!”
Then I remembered that my entire family would up and move across the country to get away from me if I put a bunch of jalapenos in their dinner. They’d probably even take the dog, which would be tragic, because the dog is my favorite of the bunch.
I mean, can you blame me? Total fluff ball right there.
Anyway, after I cried about the lack of jalapeno lovers that live in my house, I had a lightbulb moment. Like, literally, I lit up the whole main floor of my house with the idea that I had.
Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sandwiches, baby. Sure, yes, my daughter would be eating another PB&J if I served spicy chicken meatballs for dinner. That’s, like, her trifecta of awful right there. Spicy. Chicken. Meatballs. She’s glaring at me right now just for thinking about those three things in her presence.
The husband is a major sissy when it comes to hot sauce, so I went easy on it. We wouldn’t want the poor wittle baby to cry, would we?
Anyway, I morphed Jessica’s sandwiches into a food that I sort of want to marry. Imagine how cute our meatball babies would be in their little bonnets and booties crawling around the house all innocent and sweet.
Ugh. This is ridiculous.
Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sandwiches. I mean…can you even…am I dreaming?
These sandwiches are so good you’ll want to punch someone in the face. Preferably not me, but go ahead and try them to find out. The meatballs are so soft and tender, the carrots add a nice bit of texture, and the mixture of the ranch and hot sauce is just simply divine. The meat is flavored so perfectly!
Please, please, please make these for the Superbowl. Then make them again for dinner on Tuesday and eat the leftovers for lunch on Wednesday. Then make them again on Friday. You know, it’s really never a bad time to eat buffalo chicken meatball sandwiches.
A few notes: These were made to accommodate a sissy-la-la 32 year old man and a 12 year old boy. They’re pretty mild, more tangy and bright flavored than overly spicy, so feel free to bump up the amount of hot sauce you use in the meat mixture to 1 cup or more. I’d add in an extra 1/4 cup of oats for each 1/2 cup of hot sauce that you add, just so things don’t get too out of control moist and fall apart-y. Alternately, keep these as is and just load them up with more hot sauce as needed when you make your sandwiches.
Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- 4 ounces Mozzarella cheese grated
- 1/2 cup grated carrot
- 1/2 cup panko
- 1/2 cup rolled or quick oats
- 1/2 cup bottled Ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
- 5 bakery style sandwich rolls
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese grated
- Ranch dressing and Hot Sauce for serving if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine all of the meatball ingredients and mix until combined using your hands. Alternately, mix everything together in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
- Scoop out chunks of the mixture, about 2 tablespoons each, and shape into balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cooked through.
- Slice the sandwich rolls in half and top with three to four meatballs, depending on what will fit. Drizzle on extra hot sauce if desired. Top with a small handful of cheddar cheese. Place on a baking sheet, with the top half of the roll laying cut side up next to the bottom portion with the meatballs. Repeat with remaining buns.
- Place sandwiches back in the hot oven for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the bread is beginning to brown at the edges.
- Top the meatballs with the sliced bun tops.
- Serve with extra ranch dressing and hot sauce as desired.
Nutrition Information:
Other buffalo chicken recipes you will totally love:
Buffalo Chicken Dip from Buns In My Oven
Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese from Table For Two
Buffalo Chicken Nachos from Baked By Rachel
Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls from Taste and Tell
Buffalo Chicken Taquitos from Buns In My Oven
Beth says
Oh my these were wonderful! I used ground turkey because this is what I had and my husband could not eat enough! Thank you
Juniper says
Made these tonight. The photos made me do it! These have the perfect amount of heat. My hubs added more Frank’s to his but he likes his eyes to water when he eats spicy food. My 8 year old was more than fine with these and she’s not a spice-liking girl (yet). I mixed mine in my food processor so they came out with a crab cake consistency which we all loved. Will hand mix or use my Kitchen Aid next time because there will be a next time. These are awesome!!!!
Meghan @ The Tasty Fork says
If you want to sit and around and eat jalapenos, you’re more than welcome to come to my house anytime! But please bring your dog, she’s just too cute to leave at home.
DessertForTwo says
I’ve been making How Sweet Eat’s meatball subs for months. It’s time I try a variation! Thanks 🙂
Ashton says
I can’t even tell you how crazy we are over anything with buffalo sauce. I could drink the stuff.
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
OMG STOP. Who is that dog? Is that your little fluffball Karly? I WANT HIM/HER SO BADLY!! What a cutie pie! I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited about a non-food item on Buns in my Oven before!!!!! freaking adorable. What a great shot! PS: I want this sandwich x10.
Karly says
Haha, thanks! She’s a little sweetie! 🙂
Kristen says
I’m loving these sandwiches – such a great idea.
And your dog?? Adorable!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
Drool.
Holy cow, girl. These look awesome.
Jennifer says
I don’t have ranch dressing on hand, think it’s OK to make the meatballs with out?
Joanne says
Do you realize how dangerous these are! There are going to be wedding proposals across the country because of you. I just know it. 😛
Megan @ The Pink Flour says
I’m obsessed with anything buffalo chicken, so this look ah-mazing! Your beautiful photos make me want to take a bite right now! Awesome recipe, Karly!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Oh my gosh Karly, you crack me up. And your daughter glaring at you for thinking of them in your presence…hahahaha that is SO my life with my kid. These are going on the list of to-make. My hubs love spicy but not buffalo, but I’ll just call them spicy chicken meatball sandwiches and he’ll never know. Bwahahaha!
Karly says
I love this! That’s exactly how I trick my kids into eating things. “Oh, this? It’s a sweet ketchup glaze.” My daughter hates anything “sauce,” especially bbq. 😉
Yvonne says
Mmm!! That looks so delicious! I love your dog too, what a cutie!!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
Holy mother of all things good in this world, what did you do???? This looks amazing, like I wish I can reach through the monitor right now, or bust down your door. That photo on top. Oh that photo….Will you marry me and cook for me every day? or at least cook for me every day?? I haven’t cooked much this week since I am now halfway done with season 2 of Downton Abbey (in under a week’s time….)
Sarah says
Visiting for the first time – YUM!!! Pinned!
Karly says
Thank you! 🙂