The Ultimate Buffalo Chicken Meatball Subs Recipe You’ll Crave

Packed with zesty flavor, these buffalo chicken meatballs strike the perfect balance between comfort food and game-day excitement.

Spicy buffalo sauce weaves its magic through tender, juicy meatballs that pack a serious punch.

Ground chicken becomes the canvas for a bold, tangy masterpiece that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds.

Melted cheese and a drizzle of cooling ranch dressing create a harmonious blend of heat and creaminess.

Nestled in a soft, toasted sub roll, these meatballs transform an ordinary meal into a crave-worthy experience.

Each bite promises a delicious adventure that’ll make your taste buds dance with delight.

Variations for Buffalo Chicken Subs

• Spicy Turkey Meatball Twist: Swap ground chicken for ground turkey and add extra red pepper flakes for a zestier protein option.
• Vegetarian Protein Sub
• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Version: Skip the sub rolls and serve buffalo meatballs inside crisp lettuce leaves for a carb-conscious meal.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs, ensure buffalo sauce is gluten-free, and serve on gluten-free rolls to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Serving Ideas for Meatball Subs

• Picnic Perfect Platter: Slice meatball subs into smaller bite-sized portions for easy sharing at outdoor gatherings or game day parties.
• Creamy Cool Companion: Serve with extra blue cheese or ranch dressing on the side for dipping, allowing guests to customize their spice level and flavor intensity.
• Fresh Side Kick: Pair with crisp coleslaw or a light cucumber salad to balance the rich, spicy buffalo chicken meatballs and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Beverage Buddies: Complement the subs with cold beer, tangy hard cider, or a zesty ginger ale to cut through the buffalo sauce's heat and enhance the overall meal experience.

How to Store Buffalo Chicken Meatball Subs

• Store leftover meatball subs in an airtight container for up to 3 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sogginess.
• Wrap individual meatballs or assembled subs tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months to maintain quality.
• Unwrap frozen or refrigerated subs, place on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and warm at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Heat individual meatballs or sub portions for 1-2 minutes, checking midway to ensure even warming and prevent dryness.

FAQs

• How spicy are these Buffalo Chicken Meatball Subs?

The buffalo sauce determines the heat level. You can control spiciness by using mild or hot buffalo sauce, or mixing hot sauce with regular sauce to adjust the intensity.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Yes, ground turkey works perfectly as a substitute. The fat content and texture are very similar, so the meatballs will turn out just as delicious.

• Do I need to use fresh parsley or can I use dried?

Fresh parsley provides better flavor, but dried parsley can work if that’s what you have available. Just use about 1/3 the amount of dried compared to fresh.

• Is the blue cheese sauce homemade or store-bought?

You can do either. Homemade blue cheese sauce gives more authentic flavor, but store-bought works great for a quick and convenient option.

What Makes Buffalo Chicken Meatball Subs So Tasty

• Spice Up Family Dinner: Transform classic meatballs into a zesty, crowd-pleasing meal that brings excitement to the dinner table with bold buffalo flavors everyone will love.
• Master Quick Comfort Food: Create restaurant-style subs at home with minimal cooking skills, using simple ingredients and straightforward steps that guarantee delicious results every single time.
• Customize Your Craving: Easily adjust heat levels by changing buffalo sauce intensity, swap cheese types, or add extra toppings to match personal taste preferences without complicated modifications.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Favorite: Perfect for game day gatherings, casual potlucks, or weekend lunches where guests can enjoy handheld, flavor-packed sandwiches that deliver maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.

Ingredients Needed for Buffalo Chicken Meatball Subs

• Ground Chicken: A lean and versatile meat that provides the primary structure for the meatballs.

• Panko Breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese: These ingredients help bind the meatballs and add a crispy texture and savory flavor.
• Egg: Serves as a crucial binding agent to hold the meatball mixture together.

• Parsley, Grated Onion, Garlic: These fresh ingredients contribute depth and complexity to the meatball's overall taste profile.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a rich, umami flavor to the chicken mixture.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the meatballs.

• Buffalo Sauce: Provides a spicy and tangy coating for the meatballs.
• Monterey Jack Cheese: Offers a mild, melty topping for the subs.

• Sub Rolls: The bread base for serving the meatballs.
• Blue Cheese Sauce: A creamy and tangy drizzle to complement the spicy buffalo chicken.
• Chives: A fresh, light garnish to add color and a subtle onion-like flavor.

• Cooking Oil Spray: Helps prevent sticking and promotes even browning of the meatballs.

How to Prepare Spicy Buffalo Chicken Meatball Subs

Step 1: Mix Meatball Ingredients

• Ground chicken
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley
• Grated onion
• Minced garlic
• Worcestershire sauce
• Egg
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend everything thoroughly using your hands until the mixture becomes evenly incorporated and holds together well.

Step 2: Shape Delicious Meatballs

Scoop out portions of the meat mixture and roll into uniform round meatballs.

Aim for bite-sized pieces that will fit perfectly inside sub rolls.

Step 3: Bake Golden Meatballs

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Arrange meatballs on a lightly oiled baking tray, ensuring they’re not touching.

Spray the meatballs with cooking oil to help them brown.

Bake for 20 minutes until they turn golden and are fully cooked through.

Step 4: Coat with Spicy Buffalo Sauce

Remove meatballs from the oven and immediately toss them in buffalo sauce, ensuring each meatball is completely covered with the tangy, hot coating.

Step 5: Prepare Sub Rolls

Slice sub rolls lengthwise, keeping one side attached.

Open them gently to create a pocket for the meatballs.

Step 6: Assemble Cheesy Meatball Subs

Stuff each sub roll with buffalo-coated meatballs.

Place a small square of Monterey Jack cheese on top of each meatball.

Step 7: Melt and Crisp Subs

Place the prepared subs under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts and the bread edges become slightly crispy.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Drizzle blue cheese sauce over the subs and sprinkle fresh chopped chives on top.

Serve immediately while hot and melty.

Pro Tips for Buffalo Meatball Subs

• Use a kitchen scale or ice cream scoop for uniform meatball sizes, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture.
• Mix ground chicken with breadcrumbs and egg to retain moisture and create tender, juicy meatballs.
• Adjust buffalo sauce amount to suit different heat preferences, from mild to extra spicy.
• Let subs broil briefly to achieve perfectly melted, slightly golden cheese without burning.
• Prepare meatballs a day in advance and refrigerate, then quickly assemble and bake when ready to serve.

Buffalo Chicken Meatball Subs Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy buffalo chicken meatballs nestled in crusty sub rolls bring bold Mediterranean-inspired flavors to classic American comfort food. Melted cheese, tangy hot sauce, and crisp celery create a mouthwatering sandwich you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (453.6 grams) ground chicken
• 5 ounces (141.7 grams) Frank’s buffalo sauce
• 1 egg

Dry Ingredients and Cheese:

• 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan
• 5 slices monterey jack cheese
• 8 tablespoons blue cheese sauce

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1/4 cup finely diced fresh parsley
• 1 small onion (grated)
• 1 garlic clove (finely diced)
• 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Fresh chives (finely diced, for garnish)

Additional Components:

• 4 sub rolls (8 inches)

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly combine ground chicken with panko, parmesan, parsley, grated onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, beaten egg, salt, and pepper until ingredients are evenly distributed.
2. Gently shape the protein mixture into uniform spherical portions, aiming for consistent size to ensure even cooking.
3. Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
4. Arrange meatballs on prepared tray, maintaining space between each piece for optimal heat circulation.
5. Roast for 20 minutes, rotating midway, until exterior turns golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
6. Remove from oven and immediately transfer meatballs to a mixing bowl, coating generously with zesty buffalo sauce.
7. Slice sub rolls lengthwise, creating a partial opening without completely separating the halves.
8. Nestle saucy meatballs inside each roll, strategically positioning them for maximum coverage.
9. Place a small Monterey Jack cheese square atop each meatball for added richness.
10. Position subs under broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully until cheese melts and edges become crisp.
11. Finish by drizzling with creamy blue cheese sauce and sprinkling fresh chives for a vibrant garnish.

Notes

• Use freshly ground chicken for the juiciest, most tender meatballs that hold together perfectly.
• Add a dash of smoked paprika or cayenne to the meatball mixture for an extra flavor kick that complements the buffalo sauce.
• For a gluten-free version, swap panko breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to maintain the meatball’s texture.
• Prep meatballs ahead of time and freeze uncooked for quick weeknight meals, saving time and ensuring a delicious dinner is always within reach.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 530 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 920 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg