Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese | Deliciously Simple Grilled Cheese

Nothing screams comfort food like a great grilled cheese. This Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe is perfectly crispy, loaded with melty cheese, and has just the right amount of kick from zesty hot sauce. This is the perfect 30 minute meal that can be made with minimal ingredients.

What Makes This Grilled Cheese Extra Special?

Everyone loves a grilled cheese, but they’re nothing magical about the traditional version. Here are a few things that take this pan-fried sandwich to the next level:

• It’s higher-protein. With the addition of chicken breast, this sandwich is transformed from a snack or side dish to a main course.
• You can customize it. Use a combination of your favorite cheeses, proteins, and sauces to create a melty sandwich that satisfies everyone at your dinner table.
• A quick meal. This Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese is another example of a quick weeknight dinner that doesn’t have to be boring.

Which Cheese Is The Best To Use For Grilled Cheese?

For any grilled cheese, the most important thing to consider when choosing the right cheese is how easily it can be melted. Cheeses such as Monterey Jack, Colby jack, cheddar, pepper jack, Swiss, and havarti are a great choice.

If using shredded cheese, it is best to shred your own at home before assembling your sandwich. Pre-shredded cheeses have a thin layer of starch on them to prevent them from sticking together when packaged. Unfortunately this starch also prevents the cheese from melting completely.

Should You Use Butter Or Mayo For A Crispy Grilled Cheese?

The choice in using butter or mayo to spread on your sandwich before grilling it is completely up to you! Both ingredients provide the essential fats necessary to help create a beautiful golden brown crunch.

While the flavor profile is changed ever-so-slightly, using mayo to make a Buffalo Grilled Cheese Sandwich will add a subtle tang to each bite.

Ingredients To Grab

Want to know what you need to grab before getting started? Double check your kitchen for these ingredients before you fire up the stove:

• Sourdough Bread- Sourdough bread isn’t just delicious, it’s also hearty enough to hold up to the abundant filling in this Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
• Shredded Cheese- Use your favorite variety of cheeses. I opted for a combination of mild cheddar and Monterey Jack. The only thing to keep in mind is that it shouldn’t be a prepackaged shredded variety. They do not melt as well.
• Butter- This provides the necessary fat to create a golden brown crispy layer on your bread.
• Oil- Just a tiny amount of oil in your pan will not only prevent sticking, but it will also prevent your butter from over-browning and causing your sandwich to taste burnt.
• Chicken Breast- The protein component in the grilled cheese sandwich.
• Cream Cheese- Provides an additional creamy element that make this sandwich irresistible.
• Hot Sauce- Adjust the amount and variety of hot sauce you use for your perfectly spicy bite.
• Salt and Pepper- Used to complement the flavors of all of the other filling ingredients.

How To Make Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese

Cook the chicken. Start out by bringing a pot of water to a boil. Cut the chicken breast into 1” chunks and allow them to boil for 10-12 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165F. Remove the cooked chicken chunks from the water and let them rest in a bowl.

Shred and combine. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper. Add in softened cream cheese, salt, pepper, hot sauce, and one cup of shredded cheese. Mix until well-combined.

Toast and assemble. Warm a skillet over low heat with a small amount of oil. Spread a thin layer of softened butter over one side of each piece of bread. Place the bread butter-side down into the skillet. Sprinkle a small amount of cheese over each slice of bread. Top one slice of bread with the chicken and cheese filling.

Finish frying. Once the cheese begins to melt, place the slice of bread that has only melted cheese on it, on top of the other piece of bread, forming a sandwich. Allow to cook for an additional minute. Flip the sandwich and cook for another minute. Repeat this process, one minute at a time between the flips until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown and toasty.

Serve and enjoy! Remove the sandwich from the pan, slice diagonally, and serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy!

Tips And Tricks

Looking for ways to make a simple recipe even easier? Follow these tips and tricks to measure your next grilled cheese turns out perfect!

• Use rotisserie chicken. If you’re running short on time, using precooked and shredded rotisserie chicken in this recipe is a great time-saving alternative to shredding your own chicken.
• Bring ingredients to room temperature. Room temperature butter and cream cheese are much easier to spread on bread and mix into the chicken filling than ingredients straight out of the refrigerator.
• Use low heat. I use a substantial amount of filling in this Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese recipe. To ensure that the filling is warmed through and the cheese is deliciously melted, toast your sandwich over low heat. This will guarantee your bread doesn’t burn.
• Adjust hot sauce. Use hot sauce liberally, but remember that you can always dip your sandwich in more sauce at the end, but it’s impossible to remove it once it’s mixed into the filling.

Variations

Want to switch a few things up for a tasty twist on my creation? Try a few of these variations next time you’re in the kitchen:

• Swap out the protein. Use any variety of cooked protein in this high protein grilled cheese. Ground beef, rotisserie chicken, tofu, or lunch meat make great alternatives to shredded chicken.
• Use a variety of cheeses. Why stop at cheddar or American cheese? Use your favorite melty cheeses to add another layer of delicious flavor.
• Add veggies. Want to make this chicken grilled cheese even more nutritious? Add an assortment of veggies to your sandwich. Spinach, caramelized onions, roasted green peppers, or sun dried tomatoes are fantastic on a grilled cheese!

What To Serve With Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese

If you’re not sure what to pair with this tasty spicy chicken sandwich, try some of the tasty serving suggestions mentioned below:

• French fries- French fries or potato chips are the perfect classic crunchy side dish for any sandwich.
• Salad- Though delicious, Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are extremely rich. For a light and refreshing side dish, reach for a garden salad.
• Macaroni and cheese- Keep the cheese flavors going on your plate with rich and creamy Mac and cheese to tame the spiciness from the hot sauce in the sandwich.

Storage And Reheating

Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are always best enjoyed straight out of the skillet. That being said, you can make them ahead and enjoy them later.

If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

When you’re ready to reheat your sandwich, place it back in a skillet over low heat. Flip the sandwich every minute to ensure it doesn’t burn, until heated through. If you’re in a rush, you can always microwave your leftovers for 60-90 seconds. Reheating in the microwave can cause the bread to become chewy if it is not monitored closely.

More Chicken Recipes

• Springfield Style Cashew Chicken
• Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
• Baked Chicken Tacos
• BBQ Chicken Nachos
• Chicken Enchilada Casserole

If you love this Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on social media so they can try it too! Don’t forget to bookmark this recipe so you can make it again the next time you are craving an easy meal.