Appetizers are very popular this time of the year, especially Buffalo Chicken Meatballs.

Between all the of the holiday celebrations, work place pot luck meals, and football parties, we have made several of our favorite appetizers over the past few weeks.

We determine what type of appetizer we will make depending upon the type of event that we will be attending/hosting.

For instance, for those game day parties we typically provide chicken wings or chips/dips. Those are days that you can get a little messy while sitting down to eat and watching the big game.

However, during those events where more mingling occurs where the majority of the people are walking around and interacting with various people, simple foods that can be eaten without much of a mess are ideal.

So we have combined a game day favorite with a classic appetizer to make life much more simple.

These buffalo meatballs are much healthier than traditional chicken wings but also much easier to eat while socializing.

In fact, these have become an all time favorite for not only parties, but also as a main dish when placed on a sub bun with a little lettuce, celery and blue cheese!

Check out some of our favorite appetizer recipes based on our reader’s input. You can view all of our recipes on our OWG Recipe Page.

Cucumber Vegetable Dip Recipe                                            Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Recipe                                     Buffalo Chicken Dip

Crock Pot Sweet Chile Hot Wing Recipe                               Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Instructions:

1 pound ground chicken

3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

2 green onions, thinly sliced

Kosher salt and ground black pepper – to taste

3/4 cup buffalo sauce

1/4 cup blue cheese or ranch dressing (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°F

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, Panko bread crumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder and green onions.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Using a wooden spoon or clean hands, stir until well combined.

Roll the mixture into 1 1/4-to-1 1/2-inch meatballs, forming about 24 meatballs. *We use a medium size ice cream scoop to help form consistently sized meatballs.

Place meatballs onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until all sides are browned.

Place meatballs in a slow cooker. Pour buffalo sauce on top and gently toss to combine. Cover and cook on low heat for 2 hours – stirring occasionally.

Serve immediately, drizzled with blue cheese or ranch dressing, if desired.

Enjoy!

**If you would like to receive our Recipe Of The Week – be sure to sign up to follow the blog via email in the right hand column, “like” us on  the Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Mary and Jim