Save The first time I made buffalo chicken grilled cheese, it was supposed to be a quick Friday night dinner using leftover rotisserie chicken. My roommate walked into the kitchen, sniffing the air, and asked if I was making wings. The look on her face when she saw golden buttery bread hitting the skillet instead of a baking sheet was pure disappointment—until she took that first bite and the blue cheese hit her tongue. Now it is the sandwich that clears out our fridge whenever we have leftover chicken.
I made these for a Super Bowl party a few years ago because I was tired of the same old wings drying out on a platter. People kept drifting into the kitchen asking what smelled so good, and within 20 minutes, the entire stack of sandwiches had vanished. My friend's husband still texts me every February asking if I am bringing the buffalo sandwiches, and honestly, that kind of recipe loyalty is hard to come by.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded: Rotisserie chicken works perfectly here, or you can poach or roast your own—just make sure it is not too wet or the bread will get soggy
- 1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce: Frank's RedHot is the classic choice for that authentic wing flavor, but any hot sauce will give you that signature tangy heat
- 1 cup crumbled blue cheese: The creamy sharpness of blue cheese is what makes this taste like actual wings in sandwich form—do not skip it
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese: This provides the melt factor that holds everything together, balancing the intense flavors of the buffalo and blue cheese
- 8 slices sourdough or hearty sandwich bread: Sourdough gives you that sturdy structure and slight tang that stands up to the bold filling, though any thick-cut bread works
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened: Softened butter spreads evenly for that golden crispy exterior that makes grilled cheese irresistible
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions: These add a fresh bite that cuts through the rich cheese and spicy chicken
- 1/4 cup celery, finely diced: Optional, but if you love that classic crunch in your wings, this brings the same texture to the sandwich
Instructions
- Prepare the buffalo chicken filling:
- In a medium bowl, toss the shredded chicken with buffalo wing sauce until every strand is evenly coated. The chicken should look orange and smell like your favorite wing night.
- Mix the cheeses:
- Combine the crumbled blue cheese and shredded mozzarella in another bowl. The mozzarella will provide that classic cheese pull while the blue cheese punches up the flavor.
- Butter the bread:
- Spread softened butter on one side of each bread slice. This buttered side will face out when you cook the sandwiches, creating that golden crispy crust we are all here for.
- Assemble the sandwiches:
- Place four bread slices butter side down on your work surface. Layer with buffalo chicken, the cheese mixture, and any optional add-ins like green onions or celery.
- Top and press:
- Place the remaining bread slices on top, buttered side facing up. Press down gently to help everything settle into place before cooking.
- Grill to perfection:
- Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook sandwiches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with your spatula, until the bread is deeply golden and the cheese has melted completely.
- Serve hot:
- Transfer sandwiches to a cutting board and let them rest for just 30 seconds before slicing. Serve immediately with extra buffalo sauce on the side if you like things extra spicy.
Save My daughter requested these for her birthday dinner instead of cake, which says everything about how good they are. We made them together on a rainy Tuesday evening, and she kept stealing pieces of chicken straight from the bowl while I assembled the sandwiches. Now whenever she sees a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store, she asks if we are having buffalo grilled cheese for dinner.
Choosing the Right Bread
The bread you choose can make or break this sandwich. Thin sandwich bread will turn soggy under all that cheesy filling, so go for something hearty with structure. Sourdough is ideal because its slight tang complements the bold flavors, but Texas toast, ciabatta, or even a sturdy rye work beautifully. The key is thickness—you want bread that can stand up to the weight of the filling without collapsing.
Cheese Variations
Blue cheese purists might argue that anything else is sacrilege, but I have made excellent versions using sharp cheddar, pepper jack for extra heat, or even crumbled goat cheese for a milder tang. The key is mixing something meltable with something flavorful. Mozzarella provides the structure while your second cheese brings the personality. Sometimes I use provolone as the base cheese and it creates the most gorgeous cheese pull.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can toss the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce up to two days ahead and store it in the refrigerator—the flavors actually get better as they sit. I sometimes mix the cheeses in advance too. Just do not assemble the sandwiches until you are ready to cook, or the bread will get soggy. If you are serving a crowd, set up an assembly line with all your components ready and cook them in batches while people eat.
- Keep cooked sandwiches warm in a 200F oven on a wire rack so they stay crispy
- Cut sandwiches on a diagonal for easier handling and better presentation
- Pair with simple sides like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or a crisp green salad
Save There is something deeply satisfying about turning wing night into sandwich form, and this recipe proves that comfort food does not need to be complicated to be incredible.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of chicken works best?
Shredded cooked chicken breast is ideal for absorbing buffalo sauce and layering evenly.
- → Can I use different cheeses?
Yes, swapping blue cheese for ranch or cheddar offers a milder or sharper flavor profile.
- → How do I get the bread crispy?
Butter the bread slices and cook on medium heat pressing lightly until golden on both sides.
- → Are celery and green onions necessary?
They’re optional but add a refreshing crunch that complements the spicy and creamy filling.
- → What drink pairs well with this dish?
Crisp lagers or IPAs balance the bold flavors and heat of the sandwich perfectly.