This Buffalo Chicken & Rice Bake is a one-dish wonder that’s loaded with bold flavors and comforting textures. Perfect for weeknights or game-day gatherings, this recipe combines the classic taste of buffalo chicken with creamy, cheesy rice, topped with tangy blue cheese crumbles and a cooling ranch drizzle. Fresh celery and chives add a refreshing crunch that balances the dish’s rich, spicy flavor profile. It’s easy to make and even easier to devour!
Ingredients:
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or leftover chicken works great)
- 1 cup buffalo wing sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream (for extra creaminess)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings:
- 1/4 cup fresh celery, diced
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
Ranch Drizzle:
- 1/3 cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- Additional buffalo sauce (optional, for extra spice)
Preparation
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a thin layer of oil.
Step 2: Prepare the Base Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cooked rice, buffalo wing sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, and softened cream cheese. Stir everything until it’s evenly mixed. The sour cream and cream cheese should blend smoothly, creating a creamy texture.
Step 3: Season the Mixture
Add salt and pepper to taste, keeping in mind that the buffalo sauce and blue cheese will add some saltiness. Taste the mixture to make sure the seasoning is balanced.
Step 4: Transfer to Baking Dish
Pour the chicken and rice mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly with a spatula, pressing down lightly to create an even layer.
Step 5: Add Blue Cheese Crumbles
Sprinkle the blue cheese crumbles evenly over the top of the mixture. These will melt into the bake as it cooks, adding a rich, tangy flavor to complement the buffalo sauce.
Step 6: Bake
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
Step 7: Prepare the Ranch Drizzle
While the bake is cooking, prepare the ranch drizzle. If you want extra spice, mix a bit of buffalo sauce into the ranch dressing. Pour the mixture into a small bowl and set aside.
Step 8: Add Fresh Toppings
Once the bake is finished, remove it from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes. Top with fresh celery and chopped chives for added texture and freshness.
Step 9: Drizzle with Ranch
Using a spoon or small squeeze bottle, drizzle the ranch dressing over the top of the bake, letting it settle between the blue cheese and celery for added creaminess and flavor.
Cooking Notes:
- Buffalo Sauce Level: For a milder flavor, reduce the buffalo sauce to 1/2 cup, or substitute with a milder hot sauce. If you love spice, consider adding a few dashes of hot sauce to the mixture as well.
- Cheese Variety: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses. Mozzarella adds a stretchy melt, while Monterey Jack gives a smooth, creamy finish.
- Rice Options: Both white and brown rice work well, but brown rice adds a nutty flavor and extra fiber.
- Creaminess: Adding sour cream and cream cheese ensures the bake stays moist and creamy, but you can skip one of these if you prefer a lighter texture.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve this Buffalo Chicken & Rice Bake with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal. Garlic bread or dinner rolls pair perfectly, helping to scoop up any extra sauce. For added flavor, sprinkle additional chives and celery just before serving, along with a side of extra buffalo sauce for those who love heat.
Tips:
- Pre-cook Chicken and Rice: To save time, use rotisserie or leftover chicken, and cook your rice in advance. This speeds up prep time significantly.
- Make It Ahead: Assemble the dish and refrigerate it up to a day in advance. When ready to bake, simply follow the baking instructions, adding a few extra minutes if needed.
- Control the Heat: If serving a crowd with different spice preferences, keep extra buffalo sauce and ranch dressing on the side so guests can customize their servings.
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cooking Time:
30 minutes
Total Time:
45 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Protein: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 28g
- Sodium: 950mg
Conclusion
Buffalo Chicken & Rice Bake with Blue Cheese Crumbles and Ranch Drizzle is the ultimate comfort food, packed with all the flavors of a buffalo wing platter but in a deliciously creamy casserole. It’s a versatile dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for sharing with friends and family. With the cool ranch drizzle and a fresh crunch from celery and chives, this dish brings together spicy, creamy, and tangy elements for a truly crowd-pleasing meal.
PrintBuffalo Chicken and Rice Bake with Blue Cheese Crumbles and Ranch Drizzle
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or leftover chicken works great)
- 1 cup buffalo wing sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream (for extra creaminess)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings:
- 1/4 cup fresh celery, diced
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
Ranch Drizzle:
- 1/3 cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- Additional buffalo sauce (optional, for extra spice)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a thin layer of oil.
Step 2: Prepare the Base Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cooked rice, buffalo wing sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, and softened cream cheese. Stir everything until it’s evenly mixed. The sour cream and cream cheese should blend smoothly, creating a creamy texture.
Step 3: Season the Mixture
Add salt and pepper to taste, keeping in mind that the buffalo sauce and blue cheese will add some saltiness. Taste the mixture to make sure the seasoning is balanced.
Step 4: Transfer to Baking Dish
Pour the chicken and rice mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly with a spatula, pressing down lightly to create an even layer.
Step 5: Add Blue Cheese Crumbles
Sprinkle the blue cheese crumbles evenly over the top of the mixture. These will melt into the bake as it cooks, adding a rich, tangy flavor to complement the buffalo sauce.
Step 6: Bake
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
Step 7: Prepare the Ranch Drizzle
While the bake is cooking, prepare the ranch drizzle. If you want extra spice, mix a bit of buffalo sauce into the ranch dressing. Pour the mixture into a small bowl and set aside.
Step 8: Add Fresh Toppings
Once the bake is finished, remove it from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes. Top with fresh celery and chopped chives for added texture and freshness.
Step 9: Drizzle with Ranch
Using a spoon or small squeeze bottle, drizzle the ranch dressing over the top of the bake, letting it settle between the blue cheese and celery for added creaminess and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Sodium: 950mg
- Protein: 20g