Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole (Printable)
Tender chicken, jalapenos, and Buffalo sauce baked into a creamy, cheesy casserole the whole crowd will love.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 4 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
→ Vegetables
02 - 2–3 jalapeño peppers, sliced (seeds removed for milder 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 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
# How-to Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or oil.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the diced onion, celery, and sliced jalapeños in a drizzle of oil until softened, about 4–5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, Buffalo wing sauce, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir vigorously until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
04 - Fold the shredded chicken and sautéed vegetable mixture into the creamy base. Add half of the cheddar cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese. Stir until everything is evenly distributed.
05 - Transfer the chicken 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 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
07 - Remove the casserole from the oven. Scatter blue cheese crumbles and sliced green onions over the top, if desired.
08 - Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps the filling set for cleaner portions.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It delivers that addictive Buffalo wing flavor without the mess of deep frying or the patience required for actual wings.
- The cream cheese and sour cream base keeps everything ridiculously moist, so even reheated leftovers taste like the first night.
02 -
- Do not skip softening the cream cheese or you will end up with lumpy white chunks running through your beautiful casserole.
- Taste your Buffalo sauce before mixing because brands vary wildly in heat level and saltiness.
03 -
- Shred your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded because the anti caking agents on bagged cheese prevent it from melting as smoothly.
- Let the casserole rest those full five minutes because it will hold together so much better when you scoop it.