RITZ Spicy Chicken Meatballs

Name: RITZ Spicy Chicken Meatballs
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 18
Ingredients: 5 stalks celery, divided; 1 lb. ground chicken; 60 RITZ Crackers, finely crushed, divided; ½ cup hot pepper sauce, divided; 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted; ⅓ cup oil; ¾ cup blue cheese dressing

Love wings? Try this new, fun way to serve your favorite hot wing flavors with our easy-to-eat spicy chicken meatballs. Great for your next big game party!

Prep time:

0 min

Total time:

0 min

Servings:

Makes 18 servings, 1 meatball, 1 celery stick and 2 tsp. sauce each.

Ingredient list

5 stalks celery, divided
1 lb. ground chicken
60 RITZ Crackers, finely crushed, divided
½ cup hot pepper sauce, divided
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
⅓ cup oil
¾ cup blue cheese dressing

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F.

Chop 1 celery stalk finely; mix with chicken, 1 cup cracker crumbs and 3 Tbsp. hot sauce just until blended. Shape into 18 balls.

Mix butter with remaining hot sauce in shallow bowl until blended. Place remaining cracker crumbs in separate shallow bowl.

Roll chicken balls, 1 at a time, in hot sauce mixture, then in crumbs until balls are evenly coated on all sides with each ingredient.

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat.

Add chicken balls, in batches, to skillet; cook 3 to 4 min. or until lightly browned, turning after 2 min. Drain on paper towels. (Note: Balls will not be done - they will finish cooking in the oven.) Place balls on rimmed baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake 20 to 25 min. or until chicken balls are done (165°F). Meanwhile, cut remaining celery into 18 sticks.

Serve chicken balls with dressing and celery sticks.

Recipe Tips

Serving SuggestionPrepare and bake chicken balls as directed. Insert a celery stick into each chicken ball to serve.
VariationOmit oil. Prepare recipe as directed, except omit browning the chicken balls in the hot oil. Coat chicken balls, then bake as directed, increasing the baking time to 30 to 35 min. or until chicken balls are done, turning after 15 min.
SubstitutePrepare using ground turkey.