Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole (Printable)
Spicy buffalo chicken baked with jalapeños, cream cheese, and melted cheddar for a bold comforting meal.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (about 2 large breasts)
→ Vegetables
02 - 3 medium jalapeños, 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 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
→ Pantry Staples
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnishes
13 - 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick 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 black pepper. Stir until the mixture is well combined and creamy.
04 - Fold in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, reserving the remainder for topping.
05 - Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
06 - Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, until the edges are bubbly and the cheese topping is golden brown.
07 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped cilantro before serving.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- It delivers that bold, spicy buffalo flavor without requiring a deep fryer or a mess of hot oil.
- The cream cheese makes everything luxuriously creamy, so even people who fear heat keep coming back for seconds.
02 -
- Do not skip softening the cream cheese first, because cold cream cheese will leave you with stubborn lumps no matter how hard you stir.
- Every buffalo sauce brand varies wildly in heat and salt, so taste yours before adding and adjust the salt accordingly.
03 -
- Shred your own cheese from a block rather than using pre shredded bags, because the anti caking agents prevent it from melting into that smooth, gorgeous top layer.
- Letting the casserole rest for the full five minutes before serving makes it easier to cut into neat, presentable portions instead of a molten puddle.