Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole (Printable)

Spicy, cheesy Buffalo chicken bake with jalapenos and melted cheddar. A comforting crowd-pleasing dinner ready in 55 minutes.

# What You'll 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 and 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with oil or cooking spray.
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. Add 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, sautéed vegetable mixture, half of the cheddar cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese into the creamy base. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
05 - Transfer the mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over 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 - Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to let the filling set.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • That creamy, spicy, cheesy combination hits every craving at once without requiring any fancy technique.
  • It reheats beautifully the next day, if you actually have leftovers.
02 -
  • Do not skip softening the cream cheese or you will end up with lumpy patches that never fully incorporate.
  • Taste your Buffalo sauce first, because brands vary wildly in heat level and saltiness.
03 -
  • Use a rotisserie chicken and this recipe goes from easy to almost effortless on a busy weeknight.
  • Let the casserole rest those full five minutes before serving or it will fall apart into a soupy mess on your plate.

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