Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole (Printable View)
Spicy cheesy chicken casserole with jalapenos, Buffalo sauce, and melted cheeses for a hearty dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 4 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
→ Vegetables
02 - 2–3 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
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
02 - In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onion, celery, and jalapeños in a small amount of oil until softened, about 4–5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
03 - In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, Buffalo wing sauce, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix until smooth.
04 - Stir in the cooked chicken, sautéed vegetables, half of the cheddar cheese, and half of the mozzarella. Mix well to combine evenly.
05 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
06 - Bake, uncovered, for 25–30 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden on top.
07 - Remove from oven. Scatter blue cheese crumbles and sliced green onions over the top if desired. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cream cheese and sour cream create a velvety base that cools the Buffalo heat just enough to keep you going back for more.
- It comes together with minimal effort and uses everyday ingredients you probably already have in your fridge.
02 -
- Do not skip softening the cream cheese because cold cream cheese will leave stubborn lumps no matter how hard you stir.
- Undercooking the vegetables before baking results in crunchy celery pieces that feel out of place in an otherwise creamy casserole.
03 -
- Taste your Buffalo sauce before adding it because some brands are vinegar forward while others are blisteringly hot, and that determines how much you actually want to use.
- Shredding your own cheese from a block melts far better than pre shredded bagged cheese, which contains anti caking agents that leave a grainy texture.