Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole (Printer-friendly)
Spicy, cheesy buffalo chicken baked with jalapeños and melted cheeses for a comforting weeknight dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 4 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (about 2 large breasts)
→ Vegetables
02 - 3 medium jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced
03 - 1 small red onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1/2 cup celery, diced
→ Dairy
06 - 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
07 - 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
08 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
→ Sauces & Dressings
09 - 3/4 cup buffalo wing sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
10 - 1/2 cup ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing)
→ Seasonings
11 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
12 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnishes
13 - 2 tbsp sliced green onions
14 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray or butter.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, toss together the shredded chicken, diced jalapeños, red onion, minced garlic, and diced celery until evenly distributed.
03 - Add the softened cream cheese, buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, salt, and black pepper to the chicken mixture. Stir thoroughly until the cream cheese is fully blended and the mixture is creamy and cohesive.
04 - Gently fold 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese into the mixture, reserving the remaining cheese for the topping.
05 - Transfer the mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out into an even layer. Scatter the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top.
06 - Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the cheese topping has melted into a golden, lightly crisped crust.
07 - Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It delivers that addictive buffalo wing flavor without the mess or the fryer oil splattered across your stovetop.
- The cream cheese base makes everything luxuriously creamy while keeping the entire dish naturally low in carbs.
02 -
- Do not skip softening the cream cheese because cold lumps will haunt every single bite and no amount of extra baking fixes them.
- Taste your buffalo sauce before adding it since heat levels vary wildly between brands and you want a pleasant burn, not a fire drill.
03 -
- Shred your own cheese from a block rather than buying pre shredded because the anti caking additives on bagged cheese prevent it from melting smoothly.
- Let the casserole rest the full five minutes before scooping or it will spread into a soupy puddle on the plate.