When you’re craving a dish that’s both comforting and kicks with a little heat, the Creamy Buffalo Chicken Casserole: A Spicy Comfort Dish is your go-to solution. This recipe delivers a satisfying, flavorful meal that’s surprisingly simple to prepare, making it perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings. Get ready to spice up your dinner routine with this incredibly delicious and easy casserole.

Key Ingredients for Creamy Buffalo Chicken Casserole

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cooked and shredded
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup milk (2% or whole recommended)
• 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce, mild or medium heat
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted (optional, for topping)
• Chopped fresh chives or green onions, for garnish (optional)

How to Make Creamy Buffalo Chicken Casserole

This Creamy Buffalo Chicken Casserole: A Spicy Comfort Dish is your ticket to an easy, incredibly delicious, and satisfying meal. Its simplicity belies its rich flavor and wonderfully creamy texture, thanks to the perfect blend of buffalo sauce and cheesy goodness. With a quick prep time of about 15 minutes and an oven time of 25-30 minutes, you can have this delightful dish on your table in under an hour.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or a light coating of butter or oil. This prevents sticking and ensures your casserole comes out of the dish cleanly.
2. Prepare the Chicken: If your chicken isn’t already cooked and shredded, you’ll need to do that first. You can boil, bake, or even use a rotisserie chicken for convenience. Once cooked, shred the chicken using two forks, a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, or by hand. Ensure the chicken is in bite-sized pieces.
3. Mix the Creamy Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, milk, buffalo wing sauce, and ranch or blue cheese dressing. Whisk these ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined and smooth. The milk will help thin the soup to a perfect, pourable consistency.
4. Add the Cheese and Chicken: Add the shredded cooked chicken to the creamy sauce mixture. Stir gently until the chicken is evenly coated in the sauce. Then, add the shredded cheddar cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese to the bowl. Stir again to distribute the cheese throughout the chicken and sauce mixture.
5. Assemble the Casserole: Pour the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly with a spatula to create a consistent layer.
6. Add the Toppings (Optional): If you like a little crunch on top, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole. You can also sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top.
7. Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown and slightly crisp.
8. Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven. Let it rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set slightly, making it easier to serve. Garnish with chopped fresh chives or green onions, if desired, for a fresh burst of flavor and color.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Preparing this Creamy Buffalo Chicken Casserole: A Spicy Comfort Dish at home means you get to control the spice level and the creaminess, making it perfectly tailored to your taste, unlike many store-bought or restaurant versions. The star of this dish is its wonderfully rich and tangy buffalo chicken filling, enveloped in a velvety, cheesy sauce that’s pure comfort in every bite. It’s an absolute crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly budget-friendly compared to ordering takeout, allowing you to delight your family without breaking the bank.

Paired with a cooling blue cheese or ranch dressing, and perhaps a sprinkle of fresh chives for a pop of color and brightness, this casserole rivals even the most popular restaurant Buffalo chicken dips but in a hearty, meal-worthy format. It’s simple, satisfying, and bursts with the bold flavors everyone loves. So, gather your ingredients and dive into creating this delicious pasta-free dish that promises to become a new family favorite.

Storing and Reheating Tips

This Creamy Buffalo Chicken Casserole: A Spicy Comfort Dish is excellent for leftovers and can be stored and reheated with ease.

• Refrigeration: Once the casserole has cooled completely, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also transfer individual portions to airtight containers. The casserole will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: For the best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave or gently reheat the entire casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You may want to add a splash of milk or water if the casserole seems a little dry after refrigeration.
• Freezing: To freeze, prepare the casserole as directed but do not bake it. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. Alternatively, you can bake the casserole, let it cool completely, then freeze it in airtight containers. Reheat from frozen by covering with foil and baking at 350°F (175°C) for about 45-60 minutes, or until heated through.

Final Thoughts

The Creamy Buffalo Chicken Casserole: A Spicy Comfort Dish is a fantastic way to bring a little heat and a lot of comfort to your table. Its ease of preparation and incredible flavor make it a win-win for any meal. Give it a try; you won’t be disappointed!

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Casserole

When you’re craving a dish that’s both comforting and kicks with a little heat, the Creamy Buffalo Chicken Casserole: A Spicy Comfort Dish is your go-to solution. This recipe delivers a satisfying, flavorful meal that’s surprisingly simple to prepare, making it perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings. Get ready to spice up your dinner routine with this incredibly delicious and easy casserole.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Resting Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Casserole, Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Chicken

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cooked and shredded

Sauce Ingredients

• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup milk (2% or whole recommended)
• 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce, mild or medium heat
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing

Cheese

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese use half in the mixture, half for topping

Optional Toppings

• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• chopped fresh chives or green onions for garnish

Equipment

• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Large mixing bowl
• Small bowl (optional)

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. If your chicken isn’t already cooked and shredded, prepare it now. Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
   1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cooked and shredded
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, milk, buffalo wing sauce, and ranch or blue cheese dressing. Whisk until smooth.
   1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup milk (2% or whole recommended), 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce, mild or medium heat, 1/4 cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
4. Add the shredded cooked chicken to the creamy sauce mixture and stir to coat. Then, add the shredded cheddar cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and stir again.
   1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cooked and shredded, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
5. Pour the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
6. Optional: In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the casserole. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top as well.
   1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons butter, melted, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
8. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh chives or green onions, if desired.
   chopped fresh chives or green onions

Notes

This casserole is great for leftovers and can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven. It can also be frozen before or after baking.