Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole (Printable)
Spicy buffalo chicken baked with jalapeños and melted cheeses for a bold comforting meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
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 & Eggs
06 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
→ Sauces & Condiments
09 - 3/4 cup buffalo wing sauce (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 chopped fresh cilantro
# Directions:
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. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is creamy and all ingredients are well coated.
04 - Gently fold in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, reserving the remainder for the topping.
05 - Transfer the chicken mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the top.
06 - Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the cheese topping is melted and golden brown.
07 - Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The cream cheese ranch buffalo combo creates this impossibly creamy sauce that coats every single shred of chicken without any need for a roux or thickener.
- Jalapenos and buffalo sauce together hit that sweet spot where your lips tingle but you cannot stop eating it.
02 -
- Do not skip the rest time because this casserole is molten lava straight out of the oven and you will torch your tongue.
- Check your buffalo sauce label if you are cooking for someone gluten sensitive since not all brands are certified gluten free.
03 -
- Shred the chicken while it is still slightly warm because cold chicken clumps together and will not distribute evenly through the sauce.
- Broil the casserole for the last two minutes if you want that extra crispy cheese lid that makes people audibly gasp when you pull it from the oven.