Save to Pinterest The first time I made buffalo chicken anything, I was living in a tiny apartment with a kitchen that barely fit two people. My roommate walked in mid-experiment, took one whiff of the vinegar-heavy sauce hitting hot pan, and asked if I was starting a fire. We ended up eating burnt wing pieces off paper towels and laughing about how something so messy could taste so right.
Last winter, during that stretch where every weekend brought six inches of snow, my brother showed up unannounced with a rotisserie chicken and a look that said he needed comfort food. We stood around the stove taking turns flipping sandwiches, steam fogging up the windows, until we had a tower of golden grilled cheese and that particular warmth that only comes from cooking for someone who really needs it.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded: Rotisserie chicken works perfectly here, saving you time while adding that seasoned flavor
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce: Franks RedHot is my go-to, but use whatever brand your family swore by growing up
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted: This helps the sauce cling to every shred of chicken instead of pooling at the bottom
- 8 slices provolone or mozzarella cheese: Provolone adds that mild tang, but mozzarella gives you those Instagram-worthy cheese pulls
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle this inside the sandwich for salty bursts throughout
- 1/4 cup Caesar dressing: Homemade is incredible, but a good bottled version keeps this quick enough for weeknights
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, thinly shredded: The crunch balances all that melty cheese perfectly
- 8 slices sturdy country bread or sourdough: Flimsy bread will turn soggy under all these toppings, so grab something with some backbone
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened: Room temperature spreads more evenly than cold butter, giving you that uniform golden crust
Instructions
- Prep the buffalo chicken:
- In a mixing bowl, toss the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and melted butter until every piece is coated and the sauce is evenly distributed
- Get your bread ready:
- Lay out all eight bread slices and spread Caesar dressing on one side of each piece, going all the way to the edges
- Build the first layer:
- On four slices, place a slice of provolone, then pile on the buffalo chicken mixture
- Add the crunch:
- Scatter shredded lettuce over the hot chicken, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese
- Top with more cheese:
- Add a second slice of provolone on each sandwich to help hold everything together as it melts
- Close them up:
- Place the remaining bread slices on top, Caesar dressing side facing inward
- Butter the exterior:
- Spread softened butter on the outside of each sandwich, covering the entire surface
- Grill to perfection:
- Cook in a heated skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with your spatula, until the bread turns deep golden brown
- Rest and serve:
- Let the sandwiches cool for about 2 minutes so the cheese sets slightly, then slice diagonally and serve with extra buffalo sauce on the side
Save to Pinterest My friend Sarah took one bite of these during a game night and immediately asked for the recipe, which is her highest form of compliment. Now whenever I see her post about making them on Instagram, I get this little feeling of having passed along something that will keep making people happy long after I first stirred it together.
Getting That Perfect Crunch
The difference between a good grilled cheese and a great one comes down to patience with your heat setting. I used to crank it up thinking Id get faster results, but somewhere along the way I noticed the middle section of my bread was always pale while the edges were nearly burnt. Dropping the heat to medium and giving it those extra few minutes creates this incredible texture where the outside is shatteringly crisp but the inside stays tender.
Mess Management
Theres no way around it, these sandwiches are going to be a little chaotic to eat. The lettuce combines with the melting cheese to create this wonderful mess that somehow tastes better than anything you could pick up daintily. I keep a stack of extra napkins nearby and embrace the experience rather than fighting it.
Make It Your Own
Sometimes I add thin slices of red onion right on top of the lettuce for that extra bite. Other times, when I want to cool down the heat even more, I swap in blue cheese dressing instead of Caesar.
- Sliced celery adds an authentic buffalo wing crunch
- A sprinkle of Everything Bagel seasoning on the buttered outside takes these to a whole new level
- For extra spice, mix a little hot sauce into your softened butter before spreading it on the bread
Save to Pinterest These sandwiches are best eaten the moment they come off the stove, surrounded by people you like enough to see you with buffalo sauce on your chin.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make this sandwich ahead of time?
You can prepare the buffalo chicken mixture and assemble the sandwiches up to 2 hours in advance. Keep them refrigerated and unwrapped. Grill just before serving to ensure the bread is crispy and cheese is perfectly melted.
- → What cheese works best for this sandwich?
Provolone and mozzarella are ideal for melting evenly and complementing the buffalo flavors. You can also use sharp cheddar for a bolder taste, or a combination of cheeses for added complexity. Avoid soft cheeses that won't hold up to grilling.
- → How do I prevent the bread from getting soggy?
Spread butter on the outside of the bread before grilling to create a protective barrier. Don't over-soak the interior with dressing—use just enough Caesar to coat lightly. Assemble the sandwich closer to cooking time to minimize moisture absorption.
- → Can I use rotisserie chicken instead?
Absolutely. Shredded rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves prep time. Just ensure it's roughly shredded to similar sizes as cooked chicken breast, and adjust seasoning as needed since rotisserie chicken may already be seasoned.
- → What sides pair well with this sandwich?
Serve alongside crispy kettle chips, a fresh Caesar salad, coleslaw, or pickles to balance the richness. A cold lager, pale ale, or iced tea complements the spicy buffalo flavors beautifully.
- → How do I make this vegetarian?
Replace the buffalo chicken with crispy cauliflower tossed in buffalo sauce, or use a plant-based chicken alternative. Increase the vegetable layers with additional lettuce, tomato, and crispy onions for texture and substance.