Buffalo Chicken for Dinner
Have you ever been at a party, stationed next to the bowl of buffalo chicken dip and thought to yourself “Wow. I could make an entire meal out of this?”. Thankfully, this spicy buffalo chicken grilled cheese recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a socially acceptable way to enjoy the cheesy, chickeny, spicy deliciousness of a buffalo chicken dip, just by adding a couple pieces of toasted bread.
Buffalo chicken has started to become my thing. Back in my office days, my buffalo chicken dip is what I became known for. I’ll make it for just about any get together. That said, sometimes you want to change it up a little. Keep the people on their toes. And let me tell you, making a buffalo chicken grilled cheese is exactly the remedy I needed. These sandwiches are jam-packed with a creamy, buffalo spread, a perfectly thick layer of shredded chicken, and melted cheddar cheese to bring it all together. They’re the perfect sandwich to eat while watching your favorite game on tv or for an easy midweek meal.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
To make these spicy buffalo chicken grilled cheese sandwiches, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Cream cheese
- Hot sauce (I prefer Frank’s Red Hot Original)
- Ranch dressing
- Green onion or scallion
- Cooked chicken breast or thigh (Rotisserie chicken is perfect)
- Cheddar cheese
- Olive oil
For the exact ingredient amounts, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Equipment
In order to make a buffalo chicken grilled cheese, you’ll need the following pieces of equipment:
- Frying pan (cast iron or nonstick are my preferences)
- Large spatula
- Mixing bowl and spoon
- Silicone spatula
- Cheese grater
- Cutting board and knife
Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Recipe Tips
When you make these sandwiches, here are a few ideas to help make them even more delicious:
- I am rotisserie chicken’s number one fan and this recipe is a perfect use for one. The chicken is so flavorful and juicy and doesn’t require any mess on your part. Buy the chicken, use what you need for the sandwich, and then save the rest for another meal that week. It’s great to add into salads, soups, or other sandwiches. Plus you can get really ambitious and use the carcass to make your own chicken stock.
- Did you know pre-shredded cheese has an anti-caking agent on it? That’s how the shreds stay perfectly shredded in the package. To help your cheese melt seamlessly into your grilled cheese, I recommend either shredded some cheddar cheese fresh or you can give pre-shredded cheese a quick rinse in the sink. Measure the cheese you need, add it to a colander, and give it a quick rinse in cool water. That will take all of the anti-caking off and let your cheese do the job it was meant to do!
- In the wide world of bread choices, it’s easy to have analysis paralysis in knowing which one to choose. Luckily for you, I’ve tested the recipe with a couple different breads and can confirm that sourdough is the way to go. It’s soft in the middle, got a perfect crust, and contributes the perfect balance of flavor.
- Be sure to watch your sandwich while it toasting on the stove. If your pan is a little bit hotter, it will brown the bread before the cheese begins to melt. Lower the heat if necessary to let it toast slowly.
Recipe Details
Make the Creamy Buffalo Sauce
Before assembling this sandwich, the first step is to prepare a cream cheese and hot sauce mixture to spread on the inside of the sandwich. Soften a couple ounces of cream cheese in the microwave. Mix the cream cheese with some hot sauce, a bit of your favorite ranch dressing, and chopped green onions until the ingredients have melded together. Set the cream cheese mix aside and prep the rest of your ingredients. Shred the cheese, slice the chicken, and preheat the frying pan.
Assemble the Sandwich and Fry
On the bottom slice of bread of each sandwich, divide and spread the hot sauce and cream cheese mixture from crust to crust. Arrange the cooked chicken on top of the slice of bread and then sprinkle the cheddar cheese over it all. Place the top slice of bread on the sandwich, smashing it down slightly to keep the sandwich components in place.
Drizzle the olive oil into the preheated frying pan and let it heat for a few seconds. Place the sandwiches in the frying pan and let fry until the bottoms of golden brown and the cheese is melty. Carefully flip the sandwiches and grill on the opposite side until golden. Slice the sandwiches in half and serve with a side of extra ranch to dip in.
Are you a big fan of buffalo chicken too? Be sure to check out some of my other favorite buffalo recipes:
- Classic Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Buffalo Ranch Snack Mix
- Crispy Oven Baked Buffalo Cauliflower
- White Bean Buffalo Dip
If you make these spicy buffalo chicken grilled cheese sandwiches, be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating – I can’t wait to hear how it goes. As always, tag me on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook in your photos. It makes me feel like we’re getting to cook together!
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Spicy Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese
Description
Grilled cheese sandwiches with a creamy, buffalo sauce spread, shredded chicken, and a melty layer of cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Place the 2 ounces of cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl and soften in the microwave, for about 15-25 seconds. Pour 2 tablespoons of ranch dressing, 3 tablespoons of hot sauce, and the chopped green onion into the bowl. Stir to combine everything together with a silicone spatula. Set aside.
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Thinly slice or tear the chicken into bite sized pieces and grate the cheddar cheese. Set both aside.
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On two slices of bread, spread the cream cheese mixture from end to end, evenly dividing the mixture between the two slices. Arrange the shredded chicken on top of the cream cheese layer and then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Place the remaining slices of bread on top of each sandwich
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Preheat a cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium low heat. Once warm, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan and swirl to coat. Place each sandwich in the pan (if using a smaller pan, just fry one sandwich at a time). Let the sandwich cook on the first side for 5-7 minutes, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese begins to look melty. Flip the sandwich and fry on the other side for 5 minutes.
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Remove the sandwiches from the pan. Slice in half and serve warm with a side of ranch dressing for dipping.
