Description
This Cheesy Hot Beef Sandwich recipe transforms tender chicken with a smoky, spicy buffalo sauce baked onto crispy chicken and zucchini, topped with creamy blue cheese or ranch dressing and fresh avocado, basil, and green onions. Perfect served over rice or alongside fries, this dish is a comforting and flavorful meal that balances heat and creaminess beautifully.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs, cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 zucchini or yellow summer squash, sliced
Buffalo Sauce
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 4–6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1–2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup honey
- Kosher salt, to taste
To Serve
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing
- Avocado, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves
- Sliced green onions
Creamy Cilantro-Basil Ranch (optional)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped chives
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Pinch of kosher salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 450°F and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly rubbing it with oil to prevent sticking.
- Season and arrange chicken and vegetables: On the baking sheet, toss chicken pieces with smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add flour and toss to coat evenly. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and toss again. Arrange the chicken on one side of the sheet. On the other side, place the sliced zucchini, tossing it with the remaining olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Bake chicken and zucchini: Place the sheet in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the zucchini is tender.
- Prepare the buffalo sauce: While the chicken bakes, melt the butter over medium heat in a saucepan. Add hot sauce, chopped garlic, chipotle chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir continuously until fully melted and combined. Remove from heat, then mix in honey and season with salt to taste.
- Toss chicken with buffalo sauce: Pour the hot buffalo sauce over the cooked chicken pieces on the baking sheet. Toss gently to coat the chicken evenly in the sauce.
- Bake chicken with sauce: Return the chicken to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the hot honey sauce to bake onto the chicken for a glossy, flavorful finish.
- Serve: Plate the buffalo chicken alongside the roasted zucchini. Garnish with sliced avocado, fresh basil leaves, and sliced green onions. Serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing on the side. This dish pairs wonderfully with rice or French fries.
- Optional – Make creamy cilantro-basil ranch dressing: In a blender, combine Greek yogurt or sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, chopped chives, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, kosher salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy for an herby, cooling dressing to serve alongside.
Notes
- The ranch dressing recipe provided is an optional creamy addition that pairs beautifully with the spicy buffalo chicken for added flavor and cooling contrast.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or breasts for a leaner option.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to control the heat level of the buffalo sauce according to your preference.
- Serve this dish over steamed rice, in a sandwich with melted cheese, or with crispy French fries for a classic comfort meal.
- For gluten-free preparation, use gluten-free flour as indicated.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: buffalo chicken, hot honey chicken, cheesy hot beef sandwich, spicy chicken, baked chicken recipe, buffalo sauce, summer squash, easy dinner
