This Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole is a spicy, creamy, and crunchy weeknight winner. Shredded chicken meets tangy buffalo sauce, smooth cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and bright jalapeños. The crushed tortilla chip topping adds a salty crunch. It smells spicy and buttery as it bakes, and the texture is creamy inside with a crisp, golden top. This dish works for family dinners, game day, or potlucks.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: 40–45 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
(Approximate per serving)
- Calories per serving: 375 kcal
- Protein: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fat: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
Note: These values are estimates based on the listed ingredients and common product averages. Actual nutrition will vary by brands and exact measurements.
Why Make This Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole
This casserole brings bold flavors with minimal fuss. It combines spicy buffalo sauce and jalapeños with creamy cheeses for comfort with a kick. The crushed tortilla chips give a quick crunchy contrast without complicated prep. It’s fast to assemble, bakes evenly, and travels well for potlucks. If you like buffalo wings but want a hands-off, spoonable option, this casserole delivers.
How to Make Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole
Start with cooked, shredded chicken to save time. Soften the cream cheese for a smooth mix. Chop jalapeños and celery for bright heat and crunch. Mix everything until creamy and even, then bake until bubbly and golden. Let it rest briefly so it firms a little—this makes it easier to serve. The result should be tangy, slightly spicy, creamy, and satisfyingly crunchy on top.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup chopped jalapenos (fresh or pickled)
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips (for topping)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking spray
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray so the casserole won’t stick.
Step 2: Mixing
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped jalapenos, diced celery, and green onions. Mix until well combined and smooth.
Step 3: Cooking
Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it evenly. Top with crushed tortilla chips. Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the top is golden brown.
Step 4: Finishing
Let it cool slightly for 5 minutes before serving so it sets and is easier to scoop. Garnish with extra green onions or a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing if desired. Enjoy!
How to Serve Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole
Serve this casserole with a simple green salad or raw veggie sticks like carrots and celery to balance the heat. It also pairs well with rice, quinoa, or warmed flour tortillas to make wraps. For game day, offer ranch or blue cheese dressing and extra chips on the side. The casserole looks great garnished with chopped cilantro or more sliced green onions.
How to Store Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes or in the microwave until heated through.
- Freezer: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the oven at 350°F until warm in the center (about 20–30 minutes).
- Tip: If you expect leftovers, keep the tortilla chips separate and add fresh chips when reheating to keep the topping crunchy.
Expert Tips for Perfect Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole
- Use cooked rotisserie chicken to save time and add flavor.
- Soften the cream cheese to room temperature to avoid lumps.
- Taste and adjust the buffalo sauce amount. Start with 1 cup, then add more for extra heat.
- If you prefer less heat, remove jalapeño seeds or use milder peppers.
- For extra crisp, broil the top for 1–2 minutes at the end of baking—watch closely to avoid burning.
- Add a tablespoon of melted butter mixed with the crushed chips for a richer, golden topping.
- For a tangy twist, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of ranch or blue cheese dressing before baking.
Delicious Variations
- Cheesy Bacon: Stir in 4 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon for smoky flavor.
- Low-Carb: Replace tortilla chips with crushed pork rinds and use full-fat dairy.
- Lighter Version: Swap cream cheese for reduced-fat or Neufchâtel and use low-fat sour cream; reduce cheddar to 1/2 cup.
- Buffalo Ranch: Mix 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning into the cheese mix for classic flavor.
- Mexican Twist: Replace cheddar with pepper jack and add a can of drained corn and black beans.
- Vegetarian Swap: Replace chicken with shredded cauliflower or jackfruit and use a plant-based cream cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes. Assemble the casserole and keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Add the crushed chips right before baking so they stay crunchy.
Q: How spicy is this casserole?
A: It has a medium heat level from the buffalo sauce and jalapeños. Use less buffalo sauce or remove jalapeño seeds to reduce heat. Pickled jalapeños are milder than fresh.
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: Use cooked, thawed chicken. If you only have frozen raw chicken, cook and shred it fully before using. Ensure any chicken is fully defrosted to mix evenly.
Q: Is this dish kid-friendly?
A: You can make it kid-friendly by reducing the buffalo sauce and jalapeños. Serve with ranch dressing to tone down the heat.
Q: Can I use homemade buffalo sauce?
A: Absolutely. Combine melted butter with hot sauce to taste. Homemade sauce lets you control salt and spice levels.
Q: What cheese works best?
A: Sharp cheddar gives a great flavor. Pepper jack adds heat. A mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack melts nicely.
Q: How can I make it gluten-free?
A: Use gluten-free tortilla chips and ensure your buffalo sauce is GF. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Conclusion
This Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole is a creamy, spicy crowd-pleaser that’s easy to pull together. It bakes to bubbling perfection with a crunchy chip topping and bright jalapeño bite. For an alternate take or dietary adaptations, check out this helpful recipe resource: Jalapeño Buffalo Chicken Casserole: Whole30, Keto, Paleo, GF … Try it tonight—serve it warm, and enjoy the mix of heat, creaminess, and crunch.
Print
Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free Option, Spicy
Description
A spicy, creamy, and crunchy casserole featuring shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, creamy cheeses, and crunchy tortilla chips. Perfect for family dinners, game day, and potlucks.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup chopped jalapenos (fresh or pickled)
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips (for topping)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped jalapenos, diced celery, and green onions. Mix until well combined.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Pour into the prepared casserole dish and spread evenly. Top with crushed tortilla chips.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until heated through and top is golden brown. Let it cool slightly before serving. Garnish with extra green onions if desired.
Notes
For a crunchier topping, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end of baking. You can use rotisserie chicken for quicker preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
