Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Chickpea Bake
Try this Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Chickpea Bake recipe, or contribute your own.
Try this Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Chickpea Bake recipe, or contribute your own.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 2 cups skim milk
- 3/4 teaspoon salt divided
- 4 tablespoons light butter sliced (i use land o’lakes)
- 4 oz 50% reduced fat sharp cheddar shredded (i use cabot 50%)
- 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese shredded (i used cabot seriously sharp – pick one with lots of flavor!)
- 1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce (i used frank’s red hot buffalo
- 4 (15 oz) cans chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans drained and rinsed
- 12 oz cooked boneless skinless chicken breast, chopped or shredded (i like to make mine in the slow cooker)
- 1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
- Carbohydrate 13.4781102781744 g
- Cholesterol 23.5284996275 mg
- Fat 9.16218556100097 g
- Fiber 0.443764582856177 g
- Protein 7.11936708427138 g
- Saturated Fat 5.57649341445927 g
- Serving Size 1 1 (about 1 1/2 cup) serving (152g)
- Sodium 219.876935891926 mg
- Sugar 13.0343456953183 g
- Trans Fat 0.540100493915508 g
- Calories 165 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Lightly mist a 9x13 casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Place the butter in a medium saucepan and bring over medium-low heat until the butter is melted.
- Add the flour, ½ teaspoon of the salt and the black pepper to the butter and stir to combine.
- Add the milk a little at a time and whisk the flour mixture into the milk each time until smooth.
- Turn the heat up to medium and add the shredded cheeses. Whisk together and then whisk on and off for about 5 minutes until smooth and thickened.
- Stir in the Buffalo wing sauce.
- Combine the drained, rinsed chickpeas and the chicken in the prepared casserole dish and pour the cheese sauce from step 2 over the top.
- Stir it all together until well combined and settled into an even layer in the casserole dish.
- Spread the bread crumbs in a dry medium skillet and bring over medium heat.
- Keep an eye on the bread crumbs for a few minutes, pushing them around with a spatula every few minutes until they start to turn golden.
- When the crumbs are golden, remove them from the heat and combine them with the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt, the parsley and the garlic powder.
- Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the top of the contents of the casserole dish and place the dish in the heated oven.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until baked through and bubbly.
A Weeknight Delight: Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Chickpea Bake
As a busy working mom, finding quick and healthy meals is always a priority. This Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Chickpea Bake has become a staple in our household. It's a delicious and surprisingly easy recipe that's packed with protein and flavor, perfect for a weeknight dinner when time is short. The combination of creamy cheese sauce, spicy buffalo wings flavor, and tender chicken is irresistible, and the chickpeas add a healthy boost of fiber and protein. My kids, even my picky eater, love this dish! It’s incredibly versatile, too; you can easily adjust the spice level to your liking, and it's great for meal prepping – leftovers are just as tasty the next day!
I usually make a double batch on Sundays and store it in individual containers in the refrigerator. It's a fantastic lunch option for the work week and makes packed lunches a breeze. The flavors meld together beautifully overnight, making it even more delicious the following day. I’ve even taken this to potlucks and office parties. It’s always a crowd-pleaser and a conversation starter, and it’s much healthier than the typical casserole dishes you find at those sorts of events. The recipe is adaptable – you can swap out the chicken for leftover turkey or even tofu for a vegetarian twist. Get creative and experiment with different cheeses and spices to find your perfect combination!
Why this recipe works:
- Quick and Easy: Minimal prep time and simple steps make this recipe perfect for busy weeknights.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with protein from chicken and chickpeas, making it a satisfying and healthy meal.
- Flavorful and Delicious: The creamy cheese sauce and spicy buffalo wing sauce create a flavor explosion that's hard to resist.
- Versatile: Easily adaptable to your taste preferences and dietary needs. Add vegetables, change up the spices, or use different types of cheese.
- Great for Meal Prepping: Makes delicious leftovers perfect for lunch or future dinners.
Beyond being just a quick and easy weeknight dinner, this dish brings people together. It’s a great recipe to share with friends and family – the warm, comforting flavors are guaranteed to create a happy atmosphere at the dinner table. It's also a fantastic way to use up leftover cooked chicken, reducing food waste and saving you time and money. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a cheesy, gooey casserole? This recipe really delivers on that craving, while also providing a healthy and balanced meal. Try it out and let me know what you think!
This recipe is a testament to the fact that healthy eating doesn't have to be boring or time-consuming. It's proof that you can enjoy a delicious, satisfying meal that is also good for you, all within the constraints of a busy schedule. Give this Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Chickpea Bake a try – you won't be disappointed!
