Save to Pinterest I was messily eating buffalo wings one Sunday, watching football and getting sauce everywhere as usual, when it hit me that I could put everything I love about wings into a grilled cheese instead. My roommate looked at me like I was crazy when I started experimenting in the kitchen, but one bite later she was asking me to make another one. Now it's become our go-to comfort food whenever we need something that feels indulgent but only takes about twenty minutes.
Last winter my sister came over after a terrible breakup and I made these for us both. We sat at the counter in our pajamas, eating these sandwiches with extra buffalo sauce and talking until 2 AM. She still texts me sometimes saying she needs a Buffalo Chicken Caesar night, and honestly, so do I.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded: Rotisserie chicken works perfectly here, just pull it apart with your hands for the best texture
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce: Franks RedHot is my go-to but use whatever brand you love, just make sure its got that good vinegary kick
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted: Tossing the hot sauce with a little butter helps it coat the chicken more evenly and mellows the heat slightly
- 8 slices provolone or mozzarella cheese: Provolone gives you that nice mild flavor but mozzarella melts into the most incredible gooey layers
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: This adds a salty, nutty element that plays so well against the spicy chicken
- 1/4 cup Caesar dressing: Homemade is great but storebought works fine too, just dont go too heavy or things get soggy
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, thinly shredded: Adding lettuce inside the sandwich gives you that crunch of a real Caesar without needing a side salad
- 8 slices sturdy country bread or sourdough: You need something substantial here that wont fall apart when you load it up with all these fillings
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened: Spread this generously on the outside of each slice for that golden, restaurantstyle grilled cheese crust
Instructions
- Prepare the buffalo chicken:
- In a mixing bowl, toss your shredded chicken with the buffalo sauce and melted butter until every piece is evenly coated and looking bright orange
- Get your bread ready:
- Lay out all eight bread slices and spread a thin layer of Caesar dressing on one side of each piece
- Build your sandwiches:
- On four of the slices, layer provolone first, then your saucy chicken, followed by the shredded lettuce, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and one more slice of provolone on top
- Close them up:
- Top each sandwich with the remaining bread slices, making sure the Caesar dressing sides are facing inward toward the filling
- Butter the outside:
- Spread softened butter generously on the exterior of each sandwich, getting all the way to the edges for even browning
- Grill to perfection:
- Cook in a hot skillet over medium heat for about 4 minutes per side, pressing down gently with your spatula, until the bread is deep golden and crispy
- Finish and serve:
- Let them rest for just a minute so the cheese sets slightly, then slice diagonally and serve with extra buffalo sauce on the side for drizzling
Save to Pinterest My dad initially turned his nose up at the idea of lettuce in a grilled cheese, but after trying one he admitted he was wrong. Now he requests these whenever he comes over to visit, and he even started experimenting with his own variations.
Making It Your Own
Sometimes I throw in sliced red onion or celery for extra crunch and freshness. You could also swap the provolone for sharp cheddar if you want more bite, or use pepper jack to amp up the heat even more.
What To Serve With It
A simple side salad or some carrot sticks and extra ranch dressing round out the meal nicely. I also love these with a cold beer, especially a crisp lager that cuts through all that rich, spicy goodness.
Storage And Reheating
These are definitely best eaten fresh and hot, but if you have leftovers you can wrap them individually and store in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat in a skillet over mediumlow heat to recrisp the bread.
- Wrap leftovers tightly in foil to prevent the bread from getting soggy in the fridge
- Never reheat in the microwave or you will lose that crispy exterior completely
- If the cheese seems reluctant to melt when reheating, cover the pan with a lid for a minute to create steam
Save to Pinterest Theres something so perfect about a sandwich that combines everything you love about a game day snack into something you can eat with one hand while still carrying your drink in the other.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prepare the buffalo chicken mixture up to 2 days ahead and assemble the sandwiches right before grilling. Pre-assembled sandwiches don't keep well as the bread absorbs moisture.
- → What type of bread works best?
Sturdy country bread or sourdough is ideal because they hold up to grilling and won't fall apart. Avoid soft white bread as it tends to tear and brown too quickly.
- → How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out?
Layer the cheese on the inside edges of the bread and press gently while grilling. Don't overfill the sandwich, and keep medium heat to allow cheese to melt before bread burns.
- → Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely. Shredded rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut that works perfectly. Just make sure to shred it finely and toss it with buffalo sauce for even flavor distribution.
- → What can I serve alongside this sandwich?
Pair with crisp lager, light Caesar salad, or coleslaw. Dill pickle spears, potato chips, or french fries complement the bold buffalo flavors nicely.
- → How do I customize the heat level?
Use mild buffalo sauce for less spice or hot sauce for extra kick. You can also reduce the buffalo sauce amount and add more Caesar dressing for a creamier, milder sandwich.