Jalapeño Buffalo Chicken Casserole: Whole30, Keto, Paleo, GF – A Low Carb Delight!
Introduction
Turn up the heat on your weeknight dinner routine with this Jalapeño Buffalo Chicken Casserole—a crave-worthy blend of spicy, tangy, and creamy flavors with a just-right jalapeño kick. This casserole delights with tender chicken, a robust buffalo sauce, and crispy-topped freshness, making it a crowd-pleaser in any household. Plus, it ticks every dietary box: Whole30, keto, paleo, and gluten-free! This recipe is an effortless way to enjoy spicy comfort food that fits your lifestyle goals.
Why You’ll Love This Jalapeño Buffalo Chicken Casserole
If you love bold flavors but want something easy, satisfying, and healthy, this dish is for you. The combination of juicy shredded chicken, a creamy dairy-free buffalo sauce, and crunchy jalapeño slices offers hearty comfort while remaining naturally low-carb. Quick prep and one-pan convenience make it perfect for busy nights, meal planning, or feeding a hungry crowd without compromising flavor or nutrition.
The Secret to Bold, Creamy Buffalo Sauce
Classic buffalo flavor is all about that tangy, slightly spicy sauce. For a Whole30, keto, and paleo-friendly take, use compliant ranch or mayo as the creamy base. Whisk together with your favorite hot sauce (look for sugar-free, clean labels), add a splash of apple cider vinegar, and season with paprika and garlic powder for extra depth. Fresh jalapeños are the game-changer—choose your heat level by seeding or leaving them whole.
Assembling a Show-Stopping Casserole
Once you’ve prepared your sauce and shredded your chicken, the rest comes together in minutes. Layer the chicken into a casserole dish, drizzle generously with buffalo sauce, and top with sliced jalapeños. For a touch of crunch, garnish with thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of almond flour or crushed pork rinds (totally optional but totally delicious).
Serving Suggestions for a Spicy, Low-Carb Casserole
Serve your casserole hot, with a side of fresh greens, cauliflower rice, or roasted veggies for a balanced meal. Top with extra buffalo sauce or dairy-free ranch for drizzling. If you’re not avoiding dairy, a sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese makes a delectable addition. This dish stays delicious for days—making lunch meal prep a breeze!
Nutritional Information & Serving Size
This recipe serves 4 and each hearty serving contains approximately 390 calories, 4g net carbs, 22g fat, and 36g protein—fantastic macros for keto, Whole30, paleo, and gluten-free diets alike. Adjust jalapeños to your spice level for family-friendly customization.
Spice Up Your Meal Plan with This Casserole (Recap)
This Jalapeño Buffalo Chicken Casserole delivers creamy, spicy, and satisfying flavors with none of the guilt. It’s an easy, nutritious, and flavor-packed dish sure to convert even non-spicy food fans. Feel free to prepare ahead for easy weeknight dinners or meal prep lunches.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate a sorted shopping list with all your ingredients organized by store section—making grocery trips smarter and meal planning stress-free.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the Whole30 mayo or ranch, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the shredded chicken evenly in the casserole dish. Pour the buffalo sauce mixture over the chicken and toss to coat.
- Layer sliced jalapeños evenly over the top. Sprinkle with almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a crunchy topping, if using.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, until bubbly and slightly crisp on top.
- Garnish with fresh green onions. Let cool for 5 minutes, then slice and serve with dairy-free ranch or blue cheese if desired.
Weekly Meal Planning
Meal prepping or planning ahead? This casserole is ideal for busy weeks because it reheats perfectly and can be made in advance. Save and schedule this recipe to automatically add it to your meal plan. You’ll get a combined and organized ingredient list for all meals—no more forgotten groceries or duplicate purchases.
Planning Benefits:
- Automatically calculates total ingredients needed for all planned recipes
- Breaks down your shopping list by grocery aisle to save time
- Combines overlapping ingredients to minimize waste
- Keeps your weekly meal prep smooth, efficient, and organized
Pro tip: Schedule your weekly recipes to make the most of common ingredients like chicken, eggs, or sauces—CookifyAI will total up what you need, so nothing goes to waste.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Enjoy heat-packed, creamy Jalapeño Buffalo Chicken Casserole that fits your Whole30, keto, paleo, and gluten-free meal planning—all with one simple, flavorful bake!
