Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole (Printable View)
Spicy, cheesy buffalo chicken baked with jalapeños, cream cheese and melted cheddar in a creamy, comforting casserole.
# Ingredient List:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (about 2 large breasts)
→ Vegetables
02 - 3 medium jalapeños, seeded and diced (more for extra heat)
03 - 1 small red onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1/2 cup celery, diced
→ Dairy & Eggs
06 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
→ Sauces & Condiments
09 - 3/4 cup buffalo wing sauce
10 - 1/2 cup ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing)
→ Seasonings
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ Garnishes (optional)
13 - 2 tbsp sliced green onions
14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with non-stick spray or butter.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, diced jalapeños, red onion, minced garlic, and diced celery.
03 - Add the softened cream cheese, buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated and the mixture is creamy.
04 - Fold in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, reserving the remaining cheese for the topping.
05 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
06 - Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until the edges are bubbly and the cheese topping is golden and melted.
07 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped cilantro before serving, if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The cream cheese base makes everything luxuriously rich while balancing the buffalo heat perfectly.
- It reheats beautifully, making it one of those rare leftovers that taste just as good the next day.
02 -
- Undermixing the cream cheese is the most common mistake and results in pockets of plain cream cheese scattered through the casserole.
- Testing your buffalo sauce on a small piece of chicken first can save you from discovering your sauce is way hotter than expected after the whole dish is assembled.
03 -
- Shredding your own cheese from a block melts significantly better than pre shredded bags, which contain anti caking agents that affect texture.
- Warming the buffalo sauce slightly before mixing it in helps everything come together much faster and more smoothly.