If you love bold flavor and cozy comfort food, this buffalo chicken rice casserole is about to become your new go-to dinner. It’s creamy, cheesy, slightly spicy, and incredibly satisfying. Plus, it comes together easily with simple ingredients, which means it’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, game day spreads, or whenever you need something hearty and delicious.
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And honestly? This is one of those dishes that people hover around the second it hits the table. It smells amazing, looks irresistible, and tastes like buffalo chicken dip turned into a full meal. Let’s mix it up!
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Rice Casserole
- Creamy, cheesy texture with bold buffalo flavor
- Easy make-ahead meal option
- Perfect way to use leftover chicken
- Customizable heat level
- Family-friendly comfort food
Ingredients
Casserole Base
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup diced celery
- ¼ cup sliced green onions
Topping
- ½ cup crushed crackers or panko
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- ½ cup shredded cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine rice, chicken, buffalo sauce, dressing, sour cream, cheddar, mozzarella, celery, and green onions. Stir until evenly coated.
- Spread mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix crushed crackers with melted butter. Sprinkle over casserole.
- Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake 25–30 minutes until hot, bubbly, and golden.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Homemade Buffalo Sauce Options
If you’d rather skip store-bought sauce, here are two easy homemade versions.
Classic Buffalo Sauce
- ½ cup hot sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp vinegar
Instructions: Melt butter over low heat. Whisk in hot sauce and remaining ingredients. Simmer 2 minutes until smooth.
Mild Buffalo Sauce
- ½ cup mild hot sauce
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ tsp paprika
Instructions: Melt butter, whisk in hot sauce and seasonings, and simmer gently 2–3 minutes. The extra butter softens the heat while keeping classic buffalo flavor.
Tips for the Best Casserole
- Rotisserie chicken saves tons of prep time
- Freshly shredded cheese melts smoother than bagged
- Let casserole rest before serving so it slices neatly
- Add cream cheese for extra richness
Variations
- Low-carb: substitute cauliflower rice
- Extra spicy: add diced jalapeños or cayenne
- Protein boost: mix in cooked bacon
- Veggie loaded: stir in diced bell peppers
Storage + Reheating
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
- Freeze up to 2 months tightly wrapped
- Reheat covered at 350°F until warmed through
FAQ
Can I use uncooked rice?
No. Cook rice first so texture stays soft and fluffy.
What chicken works best?
Shredded rotisserie, baked chicken breast, or leftover grilled chicken all work great.
Can this be made ahead?
Yes! Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
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Buffalo Chicken Rice Casserole (Creamy, Cheesy & Crowd-Favorite)
Equipment
Ingredients
Casserole
- 2 cups rice cooked
- 2 cups chicken shredded
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese shredded (reserve 1/2 cup for topping)
- ½ cup mozzarella shredded
- ½ cup celery chopped
- ¼ cup green onions sliced
Topping
- ½ cup crackers or panko crushed
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- ½ cup cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Mix casserole filling: In a large bowl combine cooked rice, shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, dressing, sour cream, 1 cup cheddar + ½ cup mozzarella, celery, and green onions. Stir until creamy and evenly coated.
- Spread in dish: Transfer mixture into prepared baking dish and smooth into an even layer.
- Make topping: In a small bowl, stir together crushed crackers and melted butter until coated. Sprinkle evenly over casserole.
- Add final cheese: Sprinkle the reserved ½ cup shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake 25–30 minutes until hot, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Rest: Let sit 5 minutes before serving so casserole sets properly.
Notes
Reserve part of the cheese for topping so the casserole gets that classic bubbly golden finish. Notes
Adjust spice level using mild or hot buffalo sauce. Homemade Buffalo Sauce Recipes above in Blog Post.