Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese

My friend Marcus showed up one Sunday afternoon with a container of buffalo chicken he'd made for meal prep, and we were staring at my near-empty fridge wondering what to do with it. I grabbed some blue cheese that was sitting in the back, a few slices of sourdough, and butter, and we decided to throw everything between bread and onto the griddle. That first bite—the spicy-tangy sauce hitting that cool, creamy blue cheese, all melting into golden-brown bread—changed how I thought about grilled cheese entirely.

I made these for my book club one night when the dinner plan fell through, and everyone spent more time talking about the sandwich than the actual book. There's something about a really good grilled cheese that just works—it's comfort food with an edge, fancy enough to feel intentional but familiar enough that it doesn't intimidate anyone at the table.

Ingredients

• Cooked chicken breast, shredded (2 cups): Use rotisserie chicken if you're short on time, or poach and shred your own—the texture matters more than how you get there.
• Buffalo wing sauce (1/3 cup, plus extra): The sauce is your backbone here; don't skip the extra for drizzling at the end if you like heat.
• Crumbled blue cheese (1 cup): This is non-negotiable for flavor, but use whatever strength you prefer—milder blue still works if you're nervous about the funk.
• Shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup): Mozzarella melts smoothly and keeps everything together; skip the pre-shredded stuff if you can, as it melts less evenly.
• Sourdough or hearty sandwich bread (8 slices): Thin bread will fall apart under the press of the spatula, so grab something sturdy.
• Unsalted butter, softened (4 tbsp): Soft butter spreads without tearing the bread, and unsalted lets the other flavors shine.
• Green onions, thinly sliced (1/4 cup, optional): This adds a sharp, fresh bite that cuts through all the richness.
• Celery, finely diced (1/4 cup, optional): You're getting that classic buffalo chicken wing experience here, plus a little crunch.

Instructions

Toss the chicken with heat:

In a medium bowl, combine your shredded chicken with the buffalo sauce and stir until every piece is coated and glossy. This isn't the time to be timid with the sauce.

Make your cheese blend:

In a separate bowl, mix the blue cheese and mozzarella together so they distribute evenly when you spread them. This step prevents you from getting a mouthful of just one cheese.

Butter your bread:

Spread soft butter on one side of each bread slice—thick enough to taste it, but not so much that it's sliding around. You want a thin, even coat that'll toast golden.

Layer your sandwich:

Place four bread slices, buttered side down, on your work surface, then divide the buffalo chicken among them. Sprinkle the cheese mixture on top of the chicken, add green onions or celery if you're using them, then crown each with a buttered bread slice, buttered side up.

Heat and press:

Get your skillet or griddle to medium heat—high heat will burn the outside before the cheese melts inside. Once hot, lay the sandwiches down and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, pressing gently with your spatula every minute or so to encourage even browning and cheese fusion.

Flip and finish:

When the first side is golden and crispy, flip each sandwich carefully and cook the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes until the bread matches the first side and the cheese is noticeably soft when you press it.

Rest and serve:

Let the sandwiches sit for just 30 seconds off heat so the cheese sets a little, then slice diagonally and serve hot, with extra buffalo sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling.

Save

My partner came home to the smell of toasted bread and buffalo sauce and immediately asked me to make four more sandwiches. That's when I realized this wasn't just a quick lunch hack—it was something we'd be making whenever we wanted to feel a little bit indulged without actually cooking a real dinner.

The Magic of Blue Cheese in a Hot Sandwich

Blue cheese is one of those polarizing flavors, but its sharpness and creamy texture are exactly what a buffalo chicken grilled cheese needs. As it melts, it loses that aggressive edge and becomes silky and almost sweet, balancing the spicy heat of the sauce perfectly. If you've never tried blue cheese warm before, this sandwich is the place to start—it's transformative in a way that cold blue cheese dressing just isn't.

Building Layers for Maximum Flavor

The order of what goes between your bread matters more than most people think. The chicken sits closest to one piece of bread so the sauce can soak in just slightly, then the cheese goes on top of that to melt down and coat everything. If you're adding vegetables, they go on the cheese so they stay crisp rather than getting waterlogged by sauce. It sounds fussy, but it means every bite has balance instead of one element drowning out the others.

Variations and Swaps to Try

There's so much room to play with this sandwich without losing what makes it work. Swap the blue cheese for sharp cheddar or a tangy ranch-flavored spread if you want to tone down the funk, or add a thin layer of cream cheese underneath everything for extra richness. Some people use chicken tenders instead of shredded chicken, and while it changes the texture, it's still delicious. You could even add crispy bacon or a thin slice of tomato without breaking the whole thing.

• Try mixing a little ranch into your mozzarella for a milder, creamier cheese layer.
• Keep celery and green onions on hand if you want that classic buffalo wing deli experience.
• A drizzle of hot sauce between the layers gives you heat without relying only on the buffalo coating.

Save

This sandwich proves that the best meals don't need to be complicated or time-consuming—they just need to be made with the right ingredients and a little attention. Serve it with extra buffalo sauce on the side and watch people's faces light up.

Kitchen Questions

→ What type of chicken is best for this sandwich?

Cooked, shredded chicken breast works best as it absorbs the buffalo sauce well and provides tender texture.

→ Can I substitute the blue cheese?

Yes, ranch or cheddar cheese can be used as milder alternatives that still complement the buffalo sauce.

→ How do I achieve crispy, golden bread?

Butter the bread slices evenly and cook over medium heat pressing lightly until both sides are toasted and golden brown.

→ Are there optional ingredients to add texture?

Thinly sliced celery and green onions add a fresh crunch that balances the richness of the sandwich.

→ What tools are needed to prepare this dish?

A skillet or griddle, spatula, mixing bowls, and basic cutting tools are sufficient for cooking and assembly.