Meet your ultimate new comfort food obsession: Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese. Imagine everything you love about creamy, spicy buffalo chicken dip—tucked inside golden, buttery bread, then grilled to gooey perfection. It’s a crave-worthy mashup that’s both wildly indulgent and surprisingly easy, making it a go-to for game day, quick weeknight dinners, or whenever you need a little flavor-packed pick-me-up.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Comfort Food: Think cozy grilled cheese meets spicy buffalo wings—melty, tangy, and totally comforting in every bite.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in about 20 minutes, making it an absolute lifesaver for busy nights or last-minute cravings.
- Customizable and Crowd-Pleasing: You can tweak the spice, use different cheeses, or sneak in veggies—perfect for pleasing picky eaters or feeding a hungry crowd.
- Irresistibly Gooey and Crispy: The combination of buttered bread, creamy cheese, and saucy chicken delivers that unbeatable combo of crispy outside and melty inside.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk ingredients! Each component pulls its weight—adding flavor, texture, or that signature buffalo kick. Gathering these simple staples is all you need to transform a handful of basics into a drool-worthy Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese.
- Sandwich Bread: Go classic with a sturdy white or wheat—just make sure it’s thick enough to hold in all that cheesy chicken goodness without falling apart.
- Cooked Chicken Breasts: Rotisserie chicken makes life extra easy, but any cooked, shredded chicken works perfectly.
- Minced Garlic: A small but mighty flavor booster for the chicken filling.
- Cayenne Pepper (Optional): Adds a spicy punch if you like it hot—totally adjustable to your taste.
- Ground Black Pepper & Paprika: Lend bold warmth and just a hint of smoky flavor.
- Franks Hot Sauce: The classic buffalo vibe! Feel free to adjust the amount if you want it milder or extra spicy.
- Homemade Ranch Dressing: Creamy, tangy, and balances the heat—store-bought works great too.
- Cream Cheese: Makes the filling lusciously creamy and helps everything melt together.
- Butter: For that golden, crispy, restaurant-worthy crust.
- Muenster Cheese: Melt-in-your-mouth and mild—substitute your favorite melty cheese if you’d like.
- Crumbled Blue Cheese: Adds unmistakable buffalo wing flavor and extra creaminess (just leave it out or use less if you’re not a fan).
Variations
The base Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese is seriously delicious, but don’t be afraid to put your own twist on it! This recipe is invitingly flexible—just a few swaps or additions can make it fit your tastes, what’s in your fridge, or any dietary needs.
- Veggie Boost: Fold in diced tomatoes, chopped celery, or sliced avocado to make your sandwich extra fresh and flavorful.
- Cheese Switch: Not a blue cheese fan? Swap it for mozzarella, Monterey Jack, white cheddar, or Colby Jack for a mild, melty result.
- Make It Spicier or Milder: Double the hot sauce and cayenne for serious heat, or tame things with extra ranch and a less fiery buffalo sauce.
- Gluten-Free Friendly: Simply use your favorite gluten-free sandwich bread, and you’re all set!
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese
Step 1: Make the Cheese Spread
In a small bowl, combine your softened cream cheese with crumbled blue cheese, paprika, black pepper, and (if you dare) a dash of cayenne. Use a fork to mash and stir everything until smooth and well blended. This dreamy spread will give your Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese that luscious texture and signature tang.
Step 2: Toss the Chicken with Buffalo Flavors
Mix your cooked shredded chicken in a separate bowl with hot sauce, ranch dressing, and minced garlic, tossing until every shred is coated. Don’t skimp on this step— you want every bite to burst with that spicy, creamy, classic Buffalo flavor!
Step 3: Assemble the Sandwiches
Butter one side of each bread slice, then flip them over. On four pieces, spread a thick layer of your cream cheese blend. Top each with a generous scoop of the buffalo chicken mixture. Place a slice (or two!) of muenster cheese on the other four slices, then cap your sandwiches, buttered-side out, like the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich stack.
Step 4: Grill to Gooey Perfection
Heat a large skillet over low heat and give it a light spray of cooking spray. Place the assembled sandwiches onto the skillet—work in batches if you need to so each one has room. Cook for about five minutes on the first side, until the bread is deeply golden and crunchy, then flip and repeat on the other side. The cheese should be irresistibly melty, and the filling piping hot!
Step 5: Serve and Savor
Remove your Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese sandwiches from the skillet and let them cool just a minute—if you can wait! Slice and serve with extra buffalo sauce, ranch, or a sprinkle of blue cheese. Pure cheesy bliss!
Pro Tips for Making Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese
- Low and Slow Grilling: Keep the heat on low to ensure your cheese melts fully before the bread browns—patience pays off with the perfect gooey/crispy balance.
- Pile High, But Don’t Overstuff: Be generous with the filling, but don’t get carried away—overstuffed sandwiches are more likely to fall apart during grilling.
- Mix & Match Cheeses: For the ultimate stretch factor, combine a couple of different cheeses—Muenster plus a bit of mozzarella or cheddar is a dreamy combo.
- Use Day-Old Bread: Slightly stale or day-old bread toasts up beautifully and stands up better to the rich, saucy filling.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese
Garnishes
Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese sandwiches shine with a bit of flair: try a sprinkle of extra blue cheese crumbles, a drizzle of ranch or buffalo sauce, a scatter of chopped chives, or even a handful of sliced green onions for a fresh pop. It turns every bite into something truly special!
Side Dishes
Pair your sandwiches with crisp celery and carrot sticks—just like classic buffalo wings—or serve with a cool, creamy coleslaw to balance the spice. French fries, a simple garden salad, or even a bowl of tomato soup make for fun, comfort food combos that never feel fussy.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese into strips for dunking (kids love this!), slice diagonally for classic diner vibes, or stack halves for a show-stopping party platter. You can even serve bite-size slider versions on mini bread for a great game-day snack spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), just let the Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese cool, wrap the sandwiches in foil, and store them in the fridge for up to two days. This helps lock in moisture while keeping the crust crisp.
Freezing
While these sandwiches are at their crispy best fresh, you can freeze cooked Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil and freeze for up to one month. Let thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating for best results.
Reheating
For melty cheese and a crisp exterior, reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (still wrapped in foil) for 10–15 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that delightful crunch; but if you’re in a rush, 30 seconds in the microwave does the job (expect softer bread).
FAQs
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Can I make Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the buffalo chicken and cheese spread up to two days in advance, store them separately in airtight containers, and assemble the sandwiches just before grilling so everything tastes fresh and crisp.
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What’s the best cheese for Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese?
Muenster is my favorite for its perfect melt and mild flavor, but feel free to use mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even a sharp white cheddar. You can mix and match to find your ideal gooey blend.
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Can I make this recipe spicier (or less spicy)?
Definitely! To amp up the heat, add more Franks hot sauce and an extra sprinkle of cayenne. For a milder sandwich, scale back the hot sauce and add extra ranch or even a little honey for sweetness.
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What can I do if I don’t like blue cheese?
No problem at all—just omit the blue cheese or swap it for extra cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, or a mild cheddar. The Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese will still be packed with flavor and just as delicious!
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese hits every note: spicy, creamy, melty, and just a little bit nostalgic. If you’re ready for a new sandwich craving, give it a try—you might never go back to regular grilled cheese again! Can’t wait to hear how you put your own spin on it—snuggle up, dig in, and enjoy every delicious bite.
PrintBuffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese recipe. Savory shredded chicken coated in a spicy buffalo sauce, layered between creamy cheeses, all grilled to perfection between slices of buttery bread.
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken Mix:
- 2 cups Cooked Chicken Breasts, shredded
- 2 teaspoon Minced Garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (Optional)
- 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
- 1/2 cup Franks Hot Sauce
- 1/2 cup Homemade Ranch Dressing Or your favorite store-bought brand
- 4 oz Cream Cheese
- 4 tablespoon Butter
Grilled Cheese:
- 8 Slices Sandwich Bread
- 4-8 Slices Muenster Cheese
- 4 tablespoon Crumbled Blue Cheese
Instructions
- Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, crumbled blue cheese, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne. Set aside.
- Chicken Mix: In another bowl, mix shredded chicken, hot sauce, ranch dressing, and garlic until coated.
- Assemble: Butter one side of bread slices. Spread cheese mix on four slices, top with chicken mix, then cheese slices. Close sandwiches.
- Cook: Grill sandwiches in a skillet on low heat until golden and crispy on both sides.
- Serve: Enjoy with extra buffalo sauce, ranch, or blue cheese dressing.
Notes
- Leftover Storage: Wrap grilled cheese in foil and refrigerate for up to two days. Reheat in the oven for crispy texture.
- Cheese Options: Customize with Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, White Cheddar, or Mozzarella. Omit or reduce blue cheese if desired.
- Veggie Options: Enhance with avocado, tomatoes, or celery in the chicken mix or as toppings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Sandwich
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
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