Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole (Printable)
Spicy baked chicken with jalapenos, Buffalo sauce and melted cheeses in a creamy one-dish meal.
# What You Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 4 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 to 3 jalapeño peppers, sliced (seeds removed for less heat)
03 - 1 medium onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup celery, diced
→ Dairy & Sauces
06 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
07 - 1 cup sour cream
08 - 1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
→ Toppings
11 - 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)
12 - 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
→ Seasonings
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
15 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the diced onion, celery, and sliced jalapeños in a small amount of oil until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, Buffalo wing sauce, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir until smooth and well blended.
04 - Fold the shredded chicken and sautéed vegetables into the creamy base. Add half of the cheddar cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese, then mix thoroughly to distribute evenly.
05 - Transfer the mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly across the top.
06 - Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
07 - Remove from the oven and scatter blue cheese crumbles and sliced green onions over the top, if desired.
08 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- That creamy, spicy, cheesy trifecta hits every single craving note without requiring fancy technique or hard to find ingredients.
- It reheats beautifully the next day, which means lunch at work will actually be something you look forward to.
02 -
- Do not skip softening the cream cheese because I tried rushing it once and spent ten minutes chasing lumps around a bowl with a fork like a fool.
- Check your Buffalo sauce label if you need this to be gluten free, because some brands sneak wheat into their formulations.
03 -
- Shred your own cheese from a block instead of buying pre shredded, because the anti caking additives on bagged cheese prevent it from melting into that smooth, gorgeous layer you want.
- If you want more heat without making it unbearable, add a quarter teaspoon of cayenne to the cream cheese mixture rather than doubling the jalapenos.