Food and Recipes Dish Casserole Buffalo Chicken Casserole 5.0 (6) 5 Reviews Bring the flavors of buffalo chicken dip to a wonderfully comforting casserole. By Southern Living Test Kitchen Southern Living Test Kitchen The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on March 13, 2024 Rate PRINT Share Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Active Time: 20 mins Total Time: 45 mins Servings: 6 The Southern Living Test Kitchen has a gift for turning some of our favorite foods into casseroles. Case in point: This recipe turns hot and spicy chicken wings into a warm and comforting buffalo chicken casserole that serves six hungry guests or family members. Simply combine buffalo chicken, loads of cheese (we like the flavorful combination of shredded Cheddar and crumbled blue), sour cream, and hearty pasta (penne is our pick). Then comes the heat with buffalo-style hot sauce. We added in chopped carrots and sliced celery for crunch and topped it off with a buttery panko breadcrumb seasoning. It's a versatile dish that is perfect for a game day appetizer, weekend lunch, or weeknight supper. Besides being delicious, this casserole can also be made ahead of time and reheated before serving. Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Casserole With the bold taste of buffalo chicken, and comforting elements of a casserole, this dish is a crowd-pleasing, one-dish meal. To make buffalo chicken casserole, you'll need: Cooking spray: To prevent the casserole from sticking to the pan.Uncooked penne: To bulk up and give the casserole a hearty base.Unsalted butter: Cooked with flour to create a roux to thicken the casserole filling.All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the casserole filling.Half-and-half: For a creamy, rich sauce.Sharp white Cheddar cheese: For a sharp, cheesy flavor.Buffalo-style hot sauce: A spicy kick and distinctive buffalo chicken flavor.Sour cream: Adds a creamy tanginess.Worcestershire sauce: Adds depth and umami flavor to the casserole.Kosher salt: Enhances the flavor of the casserole.Shredded cooked chicken: For a classic buffalo chicken casserole. Can substitute with diced cooked chicken breast, or any leftover chicken.Carrots: Adds sweetness, color, and crunch.Celery and celery leaves: Adds a crunchy texture and fresh flavor reminiscent of buffalo chicken.Panko: For a crunchy topping.Blue cheese: A bold flavor classic for buffalo chicken. How To Make Buffalo Chicken Casserole With just 20 minutes of active time needed to bring this dish together, it's a weeknight meal you'll be happy to serve. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started: Step 1. Prepare oven and baking dish: Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray to coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish.Step 2. Cook pasta: Cook pasta in a large stockpot until al dente. Drain and return to pot.Step 3. Make cheese sauce: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook until golden brown. Gradually whisk in half-and-half, and cook until thickened. Reduce heat and gradually stir in 2 cups Cheddar 1/2 cup at a time. Remove from heat; whisk in hot sauce, sour cream, Worcestershire, and salt.Step 4. Combine cheese sauce and pasta: Pour sauce over pasta; toss in chicken, carrots, and celery to combine. Spoon into baking dish.Step 5. Make casserole topping: Melt remaining butter and stir to combine with panko. Sprinkle over casserole with remaining Cheddar cheese.Step 6. Bake casserole: Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle with blue cheese, and garnish with celery leaves. Serve hot. Tips for Buffalo Chicken Casserole For the best buffalo chicken casserole, keep these tips in mind: Add cheese slowly: For the creamiest sauce, stir in the Cheddar a little at a time.Adjust heat: Depending on who you're serving, feel free to amp up or tone down the heat of the dish accordingly.Use leftover chicken: This is a great way to make use of leftover cooked chicken. Don't have any on hand? Grab a rotisserie chicken and you'll be ready to assemble.Serve hot: For the creamiest filling and crispiest topping, serve this casserole straight out of the oven.Toppings: If you're serving a crowd, consider placing the blue cheese and celery leaves on the side for everyone to add their own. Add a side of ranch dressing, celery and carrot sticks, bell peppers, or other veggies to balance the richness of the dish.Get ahead: With the ability to make this dish in advance, you can have it on the table in no time. Can I Make Buffalo Chicken Casserole Ahead? Make this casserole ahead for a quick way to have a hot, homemade meal on the table even on the busiest of days. Assemble, wrap, and refrigerate the casserole up to 1 day before baking. You can also assemble and freeze for up to 2 months. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator while the oven is preheating, and bake as directed. How To Store and Reheat Leftover Buffalo Chicken Casserole Refrigerate leftovers of this casserole for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheat in a preheated 350°F oven until hot throughout with an internal temperature of 165°F. You can also reheat small portions quickly in the microwave. What To Serve with Buffalo Chicken Casserole While this casserole is a great one-dish meal, pair with extra carrots and celery sticks, a side of ranch dressing, grilled vegetables, cornbread, garlic bread, a light salad, or coleslaw to fill the table. Why This Recipe Gets Rave Reviews You just can't argue with the ease and flavor of this delicious casserole: One Southern Living community member commented, "My son and husband ask for this pasta over and over. It’s a family favorite!!" Another said, "So easy and so delicious! This recipe will definitely be a go to staple in our house on busy nights." More Comforting Chicken Casserole Recipes You'll Love If comforting casseroles are just what you need to get through the week, these recipes are sure to become a part of your weekly rotation: Mushroom and Thyme Chicken-Broccoli Casserole Crispy Onions and Parmesan Chicken-Broccoli Casserole Buffalo Ranch Chicken-Broccoli Casserole Chicken-and-Broccoli Pasta Bake Classic Chicken Tetrazzini Chicken-Bacon Ranch Casserole Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole Baked Ziti with Chicken Chicken Spaghetti Casserole King Ranch Chicken Casserole Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse. Ingredients Cooking spray 12 oz. uncooked penne 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 2 cups half-and-half 12 oz. sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 3 cups), divided 2/3 cup buffalo-style hot sauce (such as Frank's RedHot) 1/2 cup sour cream 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 3/4 tsp. kosher salt 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 1 lb.) 1/2 cup finely chopped carrots (from 2 medium carrots) 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery (from 2 stalks), plus celery leaves for garnish 3/4 cup panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs) 1 oz. blue cheese, crumbled (about 1/4 cup) Directions Prepare oven and baking dish: Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Cook pasta: Prepare pasta in a large stockpot according to package directions for al dente. Drain pasta; return to stockpot, and set aside. Make cheese sauce: While pasta cooks, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large saucepan over medium. Add flour; cook, whisking constantly, until golden brown, about 1 minute. Gradually add half-and-half, whisking constantly; cook, whisking often, until mixture is thickened and coats back of a spoon, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low; gradually add 2 cups of the Cheddar 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until melted and smooth after each addition. Remove from heat; whisk in hot sauce, sour cream, Worcestershire, and salt. Combine cheese sauce and pasta: Pour sauce over drained pasta in stockpot; add chicken, carrots, and celery, and toss gently to evenly combine. Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish. Make casserole topping: Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over low. Stir together melted butter and panko in a small bowl. Sprinkle casserole evenly with remaining 1 cup Cheddar and panko mixture. Bake casserole: Bake in preheated oven until casserole is golden brown and bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle evenly with blue cheese, and garnish with celery leaves. Serve hot. Frequently Asked Questions Can I make buffalo chicken casserole less spicy? Decrease the quantity of the buffalo sauce or use a mild version for a less spicy flavor. Can I use other types of pasta for buffalo chicken casserole? Feel free to use any type of pasta you have on hand, including rotini, elbow macaroni, and more. Can I make buffalo chicken casserole without pasta? Rice, cauliflower rice, tater tots, shredded potatoes, or pasta alternatives like chickpea or lentil-based versions can all be used in the place of traditional pasta. Note the cooking times may vary. Rate It Print