Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole (Printer-Friendly)
Spicy, cheesy buffalo chicken baked with jalapeños, cream cheese and melted cheddar in a comforting one-dish meal.
# What You'll 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 & Eggs
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
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ Garnishes
13 - 2 tbsp sliced green onions
14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with non-stick 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 to the bowl. Stir until all ingredients are evenly coated and the mixture is creamy.
04 - Fold in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese into the mixture.
05 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
06 - Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until the edges are bubbly and the top cheese layer is golden brown.
07 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The cream cheese pulls everything together into something impossibly creamy without needing a drop of flour or a roux.
- It reheats beautifully the next day, maybe even better, when the flavors have had time to mingle overnight.
02 -
- Do not skip the resting time because molten cream cheese will lava right out of your scoop and obliterate the roof of your mouth.
- Taste your buffalo sauce before adding the full amount, since some brands are dramatically hotter or saltier than others and you cannot undo it once mixed in.
03 -
- Shred your chicken while it is still slightly warm because cold chicken fights back and you will end up with uneven chunks instead of nice fine shreds.
- Warm the buffalo sauce slightly before mixing it with the cream cheese and it will blend in seamlessly without leaving white streaks everywhere.