Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Do you cook casseroles prior to freezing?

Yes, I do cook casseroles prior to freezing. This allows for greater flavor and prevents the need for extra salt or spices when reheating the casserole.

It is possible to freeze casserole raw as well. If you choose to cook your casserole before freezing, then you’ll just need to reheat it when you’re ready to eat.

Can you freeze casseroles?

Yes, buffalo chicken casseroles can be frozen for a quick and easy meal after thawing out. When freezing casseroles, it’s important to use freezer-safe containers and wrap the casserole tightly to prevent freezer burn.

What Ingredients are used to make Buffalo Chicken Casserole?

Bacon and boneless chicken breasts (that are cooked and cubed) make up the main ingredients and they are given an injection of cheesiness when you sprinkle cheddar cheese combined with mozzarella cheese. When cooked, the cheese is melted. The cooked chicken is combined with bacon and is flavored by homemade buffalo sauce or store bought buffalo wing sauce and topped off with a cup of crushed cheese crackers (or plain soda crackers, or vegetable crackers). Supporting ingredients are minced garlic, milk, butter and flour.

Buffalo Chicken Casserole Recipe Variations

• Dry Ranch seasoning mix can be added to the casserole for a buffalo ranch chicken recipe variation and a different dimension of flavor.
• For a spicier casserole, you can add a hot sauce of your choice to the buffalo sauce. You could also add some diced jalapeños to the mix.
• Sprinkle some sliced green onion on top. Garnishing with sliced green onions will balance this rich dish with some freshness.
• You could also add some chopped up vegetables to this dish, such as broccoli, bell peppers, or even mushrooms. Just sauté them in a little bit of olive oil before adding them to the casserole dish.
• Monterey Jack cheese or crumbled bleu cheese can be added to the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese mix, or used to replace one of the other two cheeses. Remember though, with blue cheese, a little goes a long way as it is an intense flavor.
• If you want a bit more of a crunch in your casserole, you could add some chopped up celery to the dish.
• If you’d like, you could also top the casserole with some chopped green onions before serving.
• Instead of using crackers, you could use chopped up bread cubes or croutons.
• Topping with some crispy bacon will give saltiness and crunch as an additional dimension.

Can I make Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Casserole ahead of time?

This casserole actually tastes even better when made a day or two in advance and can be reheated when you're ready to eat it. When making in advance, assemble everything as directed, but don’t bake it until you’re ready to serve. Just make sure to cover you casserole tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap so that the cheese doesn’t dry out.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Casserole

When it comes to storing your cheesy buffalo chicken casserole, the best thing to do is wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and then place it in the fridge. This will help to keep all of the moisture in and prevent the casserole from drying out.

If you need to reheat your casserole, leftover casserole can be stored in the fridge for up to four days. When you’re ready to eat it, just reheat it in a 350 degree F oven until it’s warmed through. If the cheese has dried out a bit, you can always add a little shredded cheese on top before reheating.

What should I serve with Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Casserole?

This casserole is a complete meal on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, I recommend serving it with a green salad and some crusty bread.

Other Recipes You'll Enjoy:

• Buffalo Wings