Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole (Print version)
Spicy, cheesy buffalo chicken baked with jalapeños and melted cheese in a creamy, zesty casserole.
# What goes in:
→ 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
→ Seasonings
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ Garnishes
13 - 2 tbsp sliced green onions
14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
# Cooking steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with butter or nonstick spray.
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 pepper to the bowl. Stir until all ingredients are evenly coated and the mixture is creamy.
04 - Fold 1 cup of cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese into the mixture, reserving the remainder for topping.
05 - Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the top.
06 - Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, until the edges are bubbly and the cheese topping is golden brown.
07 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped cilantro before serving.
# Tips from flavorandfeast:
01 -
- The cream cheese pulls everything together into something velvety and rich, never dry or boring.
- It reheats beautifully the next day, which means lunch at work will actually be something worth looking forward to.
02 -
- Undercooked casserole will be soupy in the center, so wait for those bubbling edges before you pull it.
- Cold cream cheese is the enemy of smooth casserole, so plan ahead and let it soften on the counter.
03 -
- Shred your own cheese from the block because pre shredded has coatings that prevent it from melting smoothly.
- Let the casserole rest the full five minutes before serving or it will fall apart into a delicious but messy pile.