Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese

This buffalo chicken grilled cheese transforms ordinary sandwich bread into an extraordinary meal that combines the tangy heat of buffalo sauce with creamy cheeses and tender chicken. It's the sandwich I turn to when I need comfort food with a kick.

I first made this recipe during a football playoff game, and it has since become our Sunday tradition. My kids initially requested it as "that spicy cheese sandwich," but now they specifically ask for buffalo chicken grilled cheese whenever friends come over.

Ingredients

• 8 slices sandwich bread: the foundation of this recipe, use quality bread that can hold up to grilling without getting soggy
• 2 cups cooked chicken breasts, shredded: rotisserie chicken saves time and adds extra flavor, but any leftover chicken works beautifully
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic: adds depth to the buffalo sauce, fresh minced garlic offers the best flavor profile
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper: adds extra heat, completely optional if making for spice-sensitive eaters
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper: provides a subtle warmth that complements the buffalo sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika: adds smokiness and a gorgeous color to the cheese mixture
• 1/2 cup hot sauce: Frank's Hot Sauce is traditional for buffalo flavor, but any favorite hot sauce works well
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing: balances the heat with cooling creaminess, homemade offers better flavor than store-bought
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened: creates a creamy base that prevents the sandwich from becoming soggy
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened: creates that perfect golden crust, must be softened for easy spreading
• 4–8 slices muenster cheese: melts beautifully with a mild flavor that complements the spicy chicken
• 4 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese: authentic buffalo wing flavor, use quality cheese for the best tangy punch

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the cheese spread:

In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, crumbled blue cheese, paprika, ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mash or stir until evenly mixed. This creates a flavorful barrier that prevents the bread from getting soggy while adding rich flavor. The softened cream cheese should be completely room temperature for easy mixing.

Mix the buffalo chicken:

In a separate bowl, combine cooked shredded chicken, hot sauce, ranch dressing, and minced garlic. Mix thoroughly until every piece of chicken is evenly coated. The ranch dressing balances the heat while the garlic adds depth. Make sure your chicken is finely shredded for the best texture in each bite.

Assemble the sandwiches:

Spread a layer of butter on one side of each slice of bread. Flip the bread over and spread the cream cheese mixture on four slices. Evenly distribute the chicken mixture approximately 1/2 cup per sandwich over the cream cheese layer. Place one to two slices of muenster cheese on the remaining slices of bread and close the sandwiches. The butter should be on the outside of each sandwich.

Grill to perfection:

Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, until the bread turns golden and crispy. Flip the sandwiches and cook for an additional 5 minutes on the other side. Low and slow cooking ensures the cheese melts completely while giving the bread time to become perfectly crisp without burning.

Serve immediately:

Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and let rest for 1 minute before serving. This allows the molten cheese to set slightly for easier eating. Serve with additional buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, or blue cheese dressing for dipping if desired.

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The blue cheese in this recipe completely transformed my relationship with buffalo chicken. I used to avoid it thinking it was too pungent, but when melted into the cream cheese, it creates this incredible tangy depth that perfectly balances the spicy buffalo sauce. Now I keep crumbled blue cheese in my refrigerator specifically for this sandwich.

Make Ahead Options

This sandwich works beautifully for meal prep. Prepare the buffalo chicken filling and cheese spread up to three days in advance and store separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, simply assemble and grill for fresh sandwiches in minutes. The chicken mixture actually improves in flavor after a day as the ingredients meld together.

Perfect Pairings

Serve these sandwiches with something cooling to balance the heat. I find that a simple side salad with cucumber and ranch dressing works beautifully. For a more substantial meal, crispy oven fries or sweet potato wedges complement the spicy sandwich perfectly. If serving for lunch, a cup of tomato soup provides a classic grilled cheese pairing that cuts through the richness.

Storage and Reheating

You can store cooked sandwiches wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for up to two days. To reheat, place in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes for the best results. This method restores the crispy exterior better than microwaving, which can make the bread soggy. For best results, store the uncooked assembled sandwiches and grill just before serving.

Creative Variations

Try different bread options like sourdough or Texas toast for unique flavor profiles. For a carb-conscious version, use lettuce wraps instead of bread. The chicken mixture also works wonderfully as a dip with celery sticks and carrot sticks, or as a topping for baked potatoes. For an extra indulgent version, add cooked bacon strips to the sandwich before grilling.

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Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use different cheese in this buffalo chicken sandwich?

Absolutely! While the recipe calls for muenster and blue cheese, you can substitute with Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, white cheddar, or mozzarella based on your preference. Each cheese will provide a slightly different flavor profile and melting quality.

→ How do I store and reheat leftover buffalo chicken sandwiches?

You can store cooked sandwiches wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for up to two days. For best results when reheating, place them in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for 10-15 minutes. This method helps maintain the crispy exterior better than microwave reheating.

→ Can I make this buffalo chicken filling ahead of time?

Yes! The buffalo chicken mixture can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cream cheese mixture can also be made ahead. This makes assembly quick and easy when you're ready to cook the sandwiches.

→ What can I add to customize these sandwiches?

For added flavor and texture, consider including mashed avocado, diced tomatoes, or chopped celery in either the sandwich filling or the cream cheese mixture. These additions provide freshness and crunch that complement the spicy buffalo chicken.

→ What's the best bread to use for these buffalo chicken sandwiches?

The recipe calls for sandwich bread, but you can use sourdough, brioche, or Texas toast for different flavor profiles and textures. Choose a sturdy bread that will hold up to the filling and crisp nicely when grilled. Thicker slices generally work better for containing the filling.

→ Can I make this sandwich less spicy?

Yes, you can adjust the heat level by reducing the amount of hot sauce and omitting the cayenne pepper. You could also mix the hot sauce with butter to maintain the buffalo flavor while reducing the spiciness, or opt for a milder hot sauce variety.