If you love the bold flavors of buffalo chicken wings and the soul-warming cheesy embrace of a classic grilled cheese, get ready to fall head over heels for Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese. This sandwich combines juicy shredded chicken doused in spicy buffalo sauce, two types of gooey melted cheese, and golden, buttery bread to create a culinary experience that’s nothing short of legendary. Every bite is a savory, spicy, cheesy marvel—the kind of meal that instantly brightens your day. Whether you’re serving it up for lunch, dinner, or that ultimate game day treat, Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese takes crowd-pleasing comfort food to new, delicious heights.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese is surprisingly simple to pull together, thanks to a handful of pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in building layers of heat, creaminess, and crunch—so don’t skip the details below!
- Cooked chicken breast: Shredded chicken is the star filling—it soaks up every last drop of spicy sauce and stays perfectly tender.
- Buffalo sauce: This iconic sauce brings signature zing and kicks the flavor up a notch; use your favorite brand or spice level.
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing: Creamy dressing balances out the heat and adds irresistible tang—choose whichever you love more!
- Hearty sandwich bread: Thick-sliced bread holds everything in and toasts to a luxuriously crispy golden brown.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter ensures a gorgeous crunch and rich taste on every grilled slice.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar melts beautifully and delivers bold, cheesy flavor with every bite.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella gives you that dreamy cheese pull and a creamy texture that can’t be beat.
- Crumbled blue cheese (optional): For blue cheese lovers, this adds tremendous tang and classic buffalo character—totally worth it.
- Green onions: Sliced green onions add a flash of freshness, color, and a gentle bite to finish the sandwich beautifully.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese
Step 1: Mix Up the Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken with your favorite buffalo sauce and a couple of spoonfuls of ranch or blue cheese dressing. Stir until the chicken is well coated and every piece is bursting with flavor. This creamy, spicy mix is truly the heart of your Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese, so don’t hold back on that sauce! Adjust spiciness by choosing a best-loved sauce—mild, medium, or bring on the heat.
Step 2: Butter the Bread
Take your hearty sandwich bread and generously butter one side of each slice. This step might seem simple, but it’s essential for that signature crispy, golden crust. Make sure the butter is softened for easy spreading—cold butter just won’t do the trick.
Step 3: Build Your Sandwiches
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place four slices of bread, buttered-side down, directly onto the hot surface. Start layering with a handful of shredded cheddar, a touch of mozzarella, and a sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese if you’re feeling bold. Spoon the buffalo chicken mixture evenly across the cheese, scatter over those vibrant green onions, and top with another sprinkle of cheese for next-level gooeyness. Finish with the remaining bread slices, buttered-side up.
Step 4: Grill to Golden Perfection
Cook your sandwiches for 3–4 minutes per side, gently pressing down with a spatula to encourage that beautiful golden crust. Watch closely—the cheese will melt into oozy perfection, and the bread will toast up just right. Flip carefully and let the anticipation build!
Step 5: Slice and Serve
Once the sandwiches are gloriously brown on both sides and the cheese has fully melted, transfer them to a cutting board and let them rest for a minute. Slice each sandwich in half—from corner to corner for bonus drama—and serve immediately, preferably with extra buffalo sauce or cool ranch for dipping. Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese never tasted so good!
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese
Garnishes
To take your Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese over the top, sprinkle some extra sliced green onions across the top, add a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing, or dust with a pinch of smoked paprika for color. If you’re a blue cheese enthusiast, an extra crumble right before serving is pure magic!
Side Dishes
This is a sandwich that deserves some crave-worthy companions. Offer crisp celery sticks, carrot strips, or crunchy coleslaw for that classic buffalo pairing. A little side salad, potato chips, or a handful of dill pickles never go amiss, balancing out the richness with freshness or crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re entertaining, slice sandwiches into strips or squares for Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese dippers—perfect for parties. Stack halves on a platter with toothpicks, or serve with shot glasses of dipping sauce for extra fun. Try making sliders on mini brioche buns for bite-sized bliss!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese, let the sandwiches cool fully before storing. Wrap tightly in foil or place in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep well for up to 2 days, making them a fabulous lunch option later in the week.
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap each cooled sandwich in parchment paper and foil, then freeze in a zip-top bag. They’ll hold up for up to one month. To keep the bread from getting soggy, consider reheating straight from frozen using your oven or toaster oven.
Reheating
For best results, reheat Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese in a skillet over low heat, pressing gently until warmed through and crispy again. You can also use a toaster oven—simply unwrap and heat until the cheese is gooey and the bread regains its crunch. Avoid microwaving if you can; it may make the bread chewy instead of crispy.
FAQs
Can I prepare the buffalo chicken filling ahead of time?
Absolutely! Mix the buffalo chicken and dressing up to two days ahead. Store it refrigerated in an airtight container, and assemble your Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese when ready to grill. This makes last-minute lunches or dinners a breeze.
What if I don’t like blue cheese?
No problem at all—the blue cheese is completely optional! Simply skip it or swap in a bit more mozzarella or even Monterey Jack for extra melt factor. Ranch dressing also makes a great substitute for extra creaminess.
Is there a vegetarian version of Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese?
Yes! Substitute shredded cooked jackfruit, chickpeas, or a chicken-style meatless option tossed in buffalo sauce. The rest of the recipe remains the same and still delivers all those awesome flavors in a meat-free form.
Can I use a panini press or grill instead of a skillet?
Definitely. A panini press works beautifully, ensuring an even golden crust and gorgeous cheese melt. Just be sure not to overfill the sandwiches, as the filling can ooze out with heavy pressure. A stovetop skillet or griddle works just as well if you prefer to control the browning more closely.
How can I make my Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese spicier?
If you crave that fiery kick, use a hot buffalo sauce or add a dash of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture. Sliced jalapeños tucked inside also take spice levels up a notch for serious heat lovers.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something bold, cheesy, and packed with personality, Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese is the sandwich to make. It’s got all the excitement of classic buffalo wings but is even easier (and less messy) to eat. You’ll love how quickly it comes together and how much flavor each bite delivers. Grab your favorite ingredients and treat yourself—you deserve this kind of delicious comfort!
PrintBuffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Recipe
This Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese is a delicious twist on the classic sandwich, featuring spicy buffalo chicken, gooey cheese, and savory ranch dressing. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Main Course, Sandwich
- Method: Stovetop, Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
Grilled Cheese:
- 8 slices hearty sandwich bread
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare Buffalo Chicken: In a bowl, combine shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing until well coated.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Butter one side of each bread slice. Place 4 slices buttered-side down on a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Layer each with a mix of cheddar, mozzarella, and blue cheese if using. Add buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the cheese, sprinkle with green onions, and top with more cheese. Place the remaining bread slices on top, buttered-side up.
- Grill: Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Serve: Slice in half and serve warm.
Notes
- Adjust the spice level by using mild or hot buffalo sauce.
- This sandwich pairs perfectly with celery sticks and extra ranch for dipping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg