Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole (Printable)
Spicy buffalo chicken baked with jalapeños, cream cheese, and melted cheddar for a bold comforting meal.
# 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
10 - 1/2 cup ranch 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:
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 pepper to the chicken mixture. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are coated and the mixture is creamy.
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 into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
06 - Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the cheese topping is melted and golden brown.
07 - Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Scatter sliced green onions and fresh cilantro over the top before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The cream cheese pulls everything together into something impossibly rich without needing a single drop of flour or a roux.
- It reheats beautifully the next day, which means lunch at work suddenly becomes something you actually look forward to.
02 -
- Do not skip the resting time because scooping too early means the filling runs everywhere and you lose that satisfying scoopable texture.
- Check your buffalo sauce label if you need this to be gluten free because not all brands are created equal and some hide wheat in unexpected places.
03 -
- Shred your own cheese from a block instead of buying pre shredded because the anti caking agents on bagged cheese prevent it from melting smoothly.
- Mix the cream cheese with the buffalo sauce first until smooth before adding the chicken because this prevents clumping and saves your arm from unnecessary stirring.