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–+ servings

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Meatball Bowls

5 from 2 votes
Crispy buffalo chicken meatball bowls with crunchy coleslaw and a high-protein ranch that has no business tasting this good. 43 grams of protein, ready in 25 minutes, and basically the fun aunt of boring chicken and broccoli.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings : 2 bowls

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Equipment

Ingredients

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
  • 12 oz ground chicken
  • ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ⅓ cup buffalo sauce, for tossing after cooking
For The Bowls
  • 1 pouch microwave white rice, about 2 cups cooked
  • 1½ cups coleslaw mix
  • 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 large carrot, peeled into ribbons
  • 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced on a bias
  • 2 tbsp sliced green onions
  • blue cheese crumbles, (optional)
For The High-Protein Ranch
  • ¼ cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp mayonaisse
  • 1 tbsp ranch seasoning, or 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp dried dill, ½ tsp dried parsley, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • splash milk or water to thin
Start Cooking

Instructions
 

  1. In a bowl, mix together 12 oz ground chicken, ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 egg, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp salt until just combined. Form into 10 to 12 small meatballs.
    Raw ground chicken meatballs on a white plate before baking
  2. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray basket and cook meatballs for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking halfway through, until cooked through.
    Toss the cooked meatballs in ⅓ cup buffalo sauce.
    Baked chicken meatballs tossed in buffalo sauce in a mixing bowl
  3. In a bowl, mix 1½ cups coleslaw mix, 2 tbsp Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt.
    Cabbage slaw with tongs in a white bowl
  4. Stir together ¼ cup Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp mayonaisse, 1 tbsp ranch seasoning, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and a splash milk or water to thin until you've reached your desired consistency.
    Homemade ranch dressing with herbs in a white bowl
  5. Divide 1 pouch microwave white rice, meatballs, coleslaw, 1 large carrot, shaved into ribbons, and 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced on a bias between two bowls. Top with 2 tbsp sliced green onions and blue cheese crumbles, if using. Then add a drizzle of your high-protein ranch.
    Two air fryer buffalo chicken meatball bowl with rice, cabbage slaw, and ranch drizzle.

Nutrition

Calories: 611kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 43gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 233mgSodium: 2655mgPotassium: 1280mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 5596IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 136mgIron: 3mg

Notes

  • Swap for Ground turkey: Ground turkey works the same way here. Cook time and macros are nearly identical, so it just comes down to what you like better.
  • Frank's RedHot vs buffalo sauce: Frank's RedHot works as a straight swap. It's a little more vinegary and slightly lower calorie since it doesn't have the added fat.
  • DIY ranch seasoning: No ranch seasoning? Mix together 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp dried dill, ½ tsp dried parsley, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper.
  • Lazy girl version: Skip the homemade slaw and ranch entirely. Use bagged coleslaw with store-bought dressing, bottled ranch, and microwave rice. Still make the meatballs though. Those are the whole point.