Dinner

Jalapeño Buffalo Chicken Casserole Recipe

ByElla Hart December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

Introduction

If you love spicy, creamy comfort food, this Jalapeño Buffalo Chicken Casserole is a perfect choice. It combines shredded chicken, vegetables, and a tangy buffalo sauce for a flavorful, satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and bakes to perfection.

A white bowl filled with a creamy pasta dish stacked in about three layers: a base of short pasta pieces mixed with small bits of red and green vegetables, topped with shredded chicken that has a light orange sauce, and garnished with thin slices of green chili and fresh green herbs sprinkled on top. The textures include soft pasta, tender chicken, and a smooth, slightly cheesy sauce with a hint of oil. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, and a woman's hand is gently touching the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 pounds chicken breast, cooked and shredded
20 ounces frozen cauliflower rice
2 small jalapeños, finely diced, plus more for topping if desired
1 small white or yellow onion, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1/2 cup shredded or finely diced carrots
1/2 cup canned coconut cream (the thick part at the top of the can)
1/2 cup buffalo sauce
1/4 cup ranch
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Optional: green onion, extra jalapeños to garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 2: In a large casserole dish, combine the frozen cauliflower rice, diced jalapeños, onion, red pepper, carrots, and shredded chicken.
Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, coconut cream, buffalo sauce, ranch, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Step 4: Pour the sauce over the ingredients in the casserole dish. Use two forks or tongs to mix everything until well combined and evenly coated.
Step 5: Spread the mixture into an even layer in the casserole dish and place it in the oven.
Step 6: Bake for 45 minutes, or longer if you prefer a crispier top.
Step 7: Remove from the oven and garnish with a drizzle of buffalo or ranch sauce, and additional green onions or jalapeños if desired.

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, add more finely diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
Try substituting chicken thighs for a richer flavor and more moist texture.
If you don’t have cauliflower rice, finely chopped fresh cauliflower works well too.
Use Greek yogurt in place of ranch to reduce calories and add creaminess.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until warmed through. This casserole can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

The dish shows one bowl filled with a mix of shredded chicken, melted orange cheese, and chopped red and green vegetables, including slices of jalapeño on top. The cheese looks creamy and gooey, covering the chicken and vegetables in soft, uneven layers. The bowl is white, contrasting with the warm orange and green colors of the food. The background surface is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe without cauliflower rice?

Yes, you can replace frozen cauliflower rice with finely chopped fresh cauliflower or even cooked rice for a different texture, though this may change the nutritional profile.

Is this dish very spicy?

The jalapeños add a moderate amount of heat, but you can adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer jalapeños, or choosing milder peppers if preferred.