Why You’ll Love This Savory Buffalo Chicken & Bleu Cheese Grits
Who doesn’t love a good comfort food upgrade that hits all those spicy, creamy, and savory notes? This Buffalo chicken and bleu cheese grits recipe takes two comfort classics and transforms them into something magical.
I’m obsessed with how the creamy, cheesy grits balance perfectly against the spicy kick of buffalo chicken. Trust me, it’s like a flavor explosion in your mouth. The tangy bleu cheese melts into those velvety grits while the cayenne-seasoned chicken brings just enough heat to make things interesting.
Perfect for brunch, dinner, or honestly, anytime you’re craving something soul-satisfying that’ll impress everyone at your table.
What Ingredients are in Savory Buffalo Chicken & Bleu Cheese Grits?
Creating this irresistible comfort food fusion requires a beautiful balance of creamy, spicy, and savory ingredients. The recipe combines velvety grits enriched with two kinds of cheese against perfectly seasoned buffalo chicken for a dish that’s both sophisticated and deeply satisfying.
Think of it as your favorite sports bar appetizer meeting classic Southern comfort food in the best possible way.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup fat-free half-and-half
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon salt (for grits)
- ¾ cup regular grits
- 1 tablespoon butter (for grits)
- ½ cup shredded Italian cheese blend
- ½ cup blue cheese crumbles (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 3 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (for chicken)
- ¼ cup flour
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1 tablespoon butter (for sauce)
When shopping for these ingredients, quality matters—especially with the cheeses. A good blue cheese will make a huge difference in the final flavor profile.
And about that cayenne pepper sauce? You can certainly adjust the amount based on your heat preference. The recipe calls for a tablespoon, but spice lovers might want to add more, while those with milder palates could scale back slightly.
The beauty of this dish is how easily it adapts to your personal taste.
How to Make This Savory Buffalo Chicken & Bleu Cheese Grits
Start by preparing the creamy grits base, which forms the foundation of this comforting dish. In a medium saucepan, bring 1½ cups chicken broth, ¾ cup fat-free half-and-half, ¾ cup water, and ¼ teaspoon salt to a rolling boil. Once bubbling, whisk in ¾ cup regular grits, then reduce the heat, cover, and let cook for about 15 minutes. Remember to stir occasionally—nobody wants lumpy grits, right?
When they’ve reached that perfect creamy consistency, stir in 1 tablespoon butter along with ½ cup Italian cheese blend and ½ cup blue cheese crumbles until everything is beautifully melted together. Set this aside but keep warm while you tackle the buffalo chicken component.
For the star of the show—the buffalo chicken—start by creating a seasoned flour mixture. Combine ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ cup flour in a bowl. Toss your 1 pound of bite-sized chicken pieces in 1 teaspoon olive oil to lightly coat them, then dredge in the seasoned flour mixture.
In a skillet, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil and cook the coated chicken until golden and cooked through. Push the chicken to one side of the pan and add your 4 thinly sliced green onions and 3 minced garlic cloves, cooking until fragrant. Pour in ½ cup chicken stock, 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper sauce (more if you’re feeling adventurous), and 1 tablespoon butter, letting everything simmer together until the sauce thickens slightly.
To serve this crowd-pleaser, spoon the warm, cheesy grits into bowls and top with generous portions of the buffalo chicken mixture. The contrast between the spicy, tangy chicken and the creamy, cheese-laden grits is what makes this dish so irresistible.
For the finishing touch, sprinkle additional blue cheese crumbles on top and drizzle with extra cayenne pepper sauce if desired. The heat from the sauce, the coolness of the blue cheese, and the comfort of the grits create a harmony of flavors that’s simply divine.
And there you have it—a Southern classic with a buffalo twist that’s sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation.
Savory Buffalo Chicken & Bleu Cheese Grits Substitutions and Variations
While this recipe is delicious as written, there’s plenty of room for customization to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs.
Not a fan of blue cheese? Try substituting gorgonzola for a milder flavor, or go with all cheddar if blue cheese isn’t your thing.
You can swap the chicken for shrimp or even crispy tofu for a vegetarian option.
I’ve made this with instant grits when I’m short on time—not quite as creamy, but still tasty.
For less heat, reduce the cayenne or hot sauce.
Want it spicier? Add diced jalapeños or a few extra dashes of hot sauce.
What to Serve with Savory Buffalo Chicken & Bleu Cheese Grits
What pairs perfectly with these creamy, spicy Buffalo chicken grits? I love serving mine with a crisp side salad dressed with ranch or blue cheese dressing to cool down the heat.
A simple mixture of romaine, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes does the trick.
For a heartier meal, try some buttery garlic bread or toasted baguette slices. They’re perfect for sopping up that last bit of sauce, and who doesn’t love that?
Roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts provide a nice textural contrast to the creamy grits.
Trust me, the combination is divine.
Final Thoughts
After discovering this Buffalo Chicken & Bleu Grits recipe, I’m convinced it deserves a permanent spot in your weeknight dinner rotation. It strikes that perfect balance of comfort food with a spicy kick that never disappoints.
I’ve made this dish countless times, tweaking the heat level to suit my mood. Sometimes I add extra cayenne for those nights when I need something bold, other times I dial it back.
The creamy grits with that tangy bleu cheese hit? Heaven on a plate.
Trust me, your family will request this regularly. Who knew grits could be this exciting?
Savory Buffalo Chicken & Bleu Cheese Grits
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth, fat-free half-and-half, water, and ¼ teaspoon salt to a rolling boil.
- Whisk in the grits, reduce heat, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- When grits are creamy, stir in 1 tablespoon butter, Italian cheese blend, and blue cheese crumbles until melted. Set aside and keep warm.
- Combine cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, and flour in a bowl.
- Toss chicken pieces in 1 teaspoon olive oil, then dredge in the seasoned flour mixture.
- Heat remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil in a skillet and cook the coated chicken until golden and cooked through.
- Push chicken to one side of the pan. Add green onions and garlic, cooking until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken stock, cayenne pepper sauce, and butter. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly.
- Serve by spooning warm grits into bowls and topping with buffalo chicken mixture.
- Garnish with additional blue cheese crumbles and cayenne pepper sauce if desired.
