Buffalo Chicken Meatball Rice Bowls

⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes • 🍳 Cook Time: 10 minutes

Trader Joe’s Buffalo Style Chicken Meatballs are one of those finds that make it very easy to throw together a quick lunch. I turned them into these rice bowls with roasted tomatoes, green onion, and ranch, using frozen rice to keep the prep to a minimum.

Buffalo chicken meatballs and air-fried tomatoes over rice with ranch and fresh green onion.

I cook the meatballs and tomatoes together in the air fryer, which gets the meatballs browned while the tomatoes soften and start to burst. Add everything over hot rice with plenty of sliced green onion and a drizzle of ranch, and lunch is done in less than 10 minutes.

The tomatoes were a last-minute addition, but I really like them here. Cooking them alongside the meatballs means there’s no extra pan to clean, and their acidity works well with the buffalo seasoning and creamy ranch.

For the rice, I used Trader Joe’s frozen rice because the point of this lunch is convenience. You can use whatever rice you have, though. Leftover rice or freshly cooked white or brown rice will work the same way.

I like a good amount of green onion on top because it adds something fresh. The ranch ties everything together, so I drizzle it over the entire bowl rather than using it on the side.

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Ingredients

🍽️ Servings: 2 • 🔥 Calories/Serving: ~500 • 💪 Protein/Serving: ~25g

• 1 package Trader Joe’s Buffalo Style Chicken Meatballs

• 1½ cups cooked white rice

• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes

• ½ cup sliced green onions

• ¼ cup Hidden Valley Ranch

• Cooking spray, as needed

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Steps

Step 1

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray.

Step 2

Add the buffalo chicken meatballs and tomatoes to the air fryer basket. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The meatballs should be hot throughout and lightly browned, and the tomatoes should be softened and beginning to burst.

Step 3

While the meatballs cook, prepare the rice. If using Trader Joe’s frozen rice, microwave it according to the package directions. You can also use freshly cooked or leftover rice.

Step 4

Divide the hot rice between two bowls. Add the buffalo chicken meatballs and air-fried tomatoes.

Step 5

Drizzle each bowl with ranch and finish with plenty of sliced green onion. Serve warm.

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Make it your own!

• 🥑 Add Avocado
  Sliced avocado would add another creamy element if you want to bulk up the bowl.

• 🥦 Add More Vegetables
  Air fry broccoli or bell peppers alongside the meatballs if you want some extra vegetables.

• 🌶️ More Buffalo Flavor
  Add a drizzle of buffalo sauce over the finished bowl if you want more heat.

• 🍚 Use Your Favorite Rice
  Frozen rice makes this especially quick, but leftover jasmine rice, basmati rice, or brown rice will all work.

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