Description
Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake is a creamy, spicy, and cheesy dish featuring tender shredded chicken mixed with tangy buffalo sauce and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for game day or weeknight dinners, it offers bold flavors, quick preparation, and family-friendly comfort food with versatile adaptations to suit various dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or homemade)
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
Garnishes & Add-ins
- 2 green onions or chives, chopped
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped celery or carrots, for crunch and mellowing spice
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Start by shredding cooked chicken, which can be leftover, rotisserie, or quickly poached, to get perfectly tender pieces ready for mixing.
- Mix the Sauce and Cheese: In a bowl, combine buffalo sauce, cream cheese, and ranch or blue cheese dressing until smooth and creamy, forming the flavorful base of your bake.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Fold the shredded chicken into the sauce mixture, ensuring every piece is well coated with that spicy and creamy goodness.
- Layer the Bake: Place the chicken mixture in a baking dish, then top with shredded cheddar cheese for that irresistible melted crown.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions or fresh herbs over the hot bake before serving, adding freshness and a splash of color.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time and add flavor.
- Don’t skip the cream cheese; it balances the spicy buffalo sauce for a creamy texture.
- Allow the bake to cool for a few minutes so it sets perfectly before serving.
- Adjust heat levels by tasting the buffalo sauce beforehand and adding jalapenos for extra spice if desired.
- Use a glass baking dish for even cooking and easy cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Buffalo Chicken, Cheese Bake, Spicy Chicken Bake, Game Day Recipe, Comfort Food, Gluten Free Appetizer