Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole (Printable)
Spicy buffalo chicken baked with jalapeños, cream cheese, and melted cheddar for a comforting crowd-pleasing dish.
# 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
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 Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine 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, kosher salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is creamy and all ingredients are well coated.
04 - Fold in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, reserving the remainder for the topping.
05 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle 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 is melted and golden brown.
07 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and fresh cilantro before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It delivers every single bold flavor of buffalo wings without the mess of deep frying.
- The cream cheese makes everything impossibly rich and binds the dish together in one effortless pan.
02 -
- Do not skip the 5 minute rest or the casserole will slide apart into a soupy mess on your plate.
- Taste your buffalo sauce before adding the salt because some brands are significantly saltier than others and you cannot undo it once baked.
03 -
- Shred your own cheese from a block because pre shredded bags are coated in anti caking powder that prevents smooth melting.
- The casserole tastes even better the next day because the spices and sauce have had time to fully marry in the fridge.