Buffalo Chicken Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Buffalo Chicken Casserole combines tender chicken, spicy hot sauce, and creamy cheeses into a comforting one-pan meal. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner that warms you up from the inside out.

A white bowl is filled with a creamy, cheesy orange pasta mixed with chunks of white chicken and small pieces of green celery or pepper. The pasta looks soft and rich, covered in a thick, smooth cheddar sauce. On top, there are small crumbles of white cheese and thin slices of green onion scattered evenly, adding a fresh touch. A metal fork rests inside the bowl, partially buried in the pasta. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a few green onion pieces scattered nearby, with another bowl of the same dish blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup chopped onions
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 1/2 cups long grain rice
  • 1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot Sauce
  • 2 1/2 cups water or chicken broth
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-size pieces. Chop the onions, celery, and green onions.
  2. Step 2: Melt the butter in a large skillet or sauté pan with a lid over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and celery and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until they soften.
  3. Step 3: Add the chicken pieces, rice, hot sauce, broth (or water), and 1/4 teaspoon salt to the skillet. Stir to combine, then cover with the lid. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the broth is absorbed and you see air vent holes in the rice.
  4. Step 4: Fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled blue cheese, and chopped green onions. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • Use chicken broth instead of water for a richer flavor.
  • For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or extra hot sauce.
  • Substitute turkey breast if preferred for a leaner option.
  • Top with crushed tortilla chips or breadcrumbs before serving for added crunch.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to restore moisture.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a creamy yellowish-orange rice dish in a white pot, showing mixed-in small green vegetable pieces. The top layer has shredded orange cheese, sprinkled white crumbled cheese with blue veins, and chopped bright green scallions scattered across. The rice texture looks soft and moist with visible grains, and the pot handles are visible on the sides. The surface beneath the pot has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant rice for this recipe?

Instant rice cooks differently and absorbs liquid much faster, so it is not recommended. Stick to long grain rice to ensure proper cooking and texture.

What can I use instead of blue cheese?

If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, you can substitute with feta or omit it altogether. Cheddar alone still provides great flavor here.

Print

Buffalo Chicken Casserole Recipe

This Buffalo Chicken Casserole is a flavorful, comforting one-skillet meal featuring tender chicken, spicy hot sauce, and a blend of cheeses mixed with rice and vegetables. Perfect for a hearty dinner with a spicy kick, this casserole combines sautéing and simmering to create a creamy, cheesy dish that’s easy to prepare and sure to satisfy fans of buffalo flavors.

  • Author: Anna
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 46 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Vegetables

  • 1 1/2 pound boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 cup chopped onions
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions

Other Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 1/2 cups long grain rice
  • 1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot Sauce
  • 2 1/2 cups water (or chicken broth)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep the chicken and vegetables: Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch bite-size pieces. Chop the onions, celery, and green onions and set them aside.
  2. Sauté the vegetables: Heat butter in a large skillet or sauté pan with a lid over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and celery, then sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened.
  3. Combine ingredients and simmer: Add the chicken pieces, rice, Frank’s RedHot Sauce, broth (or water), and 1/4 teaspoon salt to the skillet. Stir everything to combine, then cover with the lid. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice absorbs the liquid and you see air vent holes on the rice surface.
  4. Finish with cheeses and season: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled blue cheese, and chopped green onions until well combined. Taste the casserole and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm.

Notes

  • You can substitute chicken broth for water to enhance flavor.
  • Adjust the amount of Frank’s RedHot Sauce according to your preferred spice level.
  • Use sharp cheddar for a bolder cheese taste.
  • This casserole can be made ahead and reheated; just stir in cheeses fresh before serving.
  • For a creamier texture, add a splash of cream or milk when stirring in the cheeses.

Keywords: Buffalo chicken casserole, buffalo chicken recipe, cheesy chicken casserole, spicy chicken casserole, easy chicken dinner

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