Buffalo Chicken Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food mash-up that you didn’t know you needed but will absolutely fall in love with from the first bite. Combining the spicy, tangy flair of buffalo chicken with the cheesy, layered goodness of lasagna, this dish is perfect for gatherings, game days, or whenever you’re craving something special!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold Flavor: The perfect blend of spicy buffalo sauce and creamy ranch will tantalize your taste buds.
- Cheesy Delight: You’ll love the gooey mozzarella and tangy blue cheese that blend beautifully with the chicken.
- Crowd Pleaser: This dish is hearty, filling, and tends to disappear fast at parties and family dinners.
- Easy to Make: Despite its impressive appearance and flavor layers, it’s surprisingly simple to prepare.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna recipe is all about using straightforward, accessible ingredients that pack a punch of flavor. Each component is crucial to creating layers of deliciousness that will have your family coming back for seconds.
- Lasagna Noodles: Opt for oven-ready to skip the boiling step, saving you time and effort.
- Ricotta Cheese: Adds creaminess to balance the spicy buffalo sauce.
- Blue Cheese: Brings a salty, sharp flavor that cuttingly compliments the heat.
- Cooked Chicken: Shredded for tender bites that soak up all that spicy goodness.
- Buffalo Wing Sauce: The star of the show, choose a sauce that suits your spice tolerance.
- Ranch Dressing: Adds a smooth, herby contrast to the tangy buffalo sauce.
- Tomatoes: These juicy gems add freshness and depth to the lasagna.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating a cheesy crust that’s irresistible.
Variations
Feel free to experiment with this Buffalo Chicken Lasagna recipe to suit your personal taste buds or dietary requirements. It’s wonderfully adaptable, making it easy to create a version everyone will enjoy.
- Vegetarian Twist: Substitute the chicken with roasted veggies like bell peppers and zucchini to go meatless.
- Heat Control: Tone down the spice by mixing the buffalo sauce with more ranch, or dial it up with a hotter sauce.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Lasagna
Step 1: Prep and Mix
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready when you are. Grab a couple of mixing bowls—one for your cheese mixture and another for the chicken blend. This organized approach makes the assembly process swift and seamless.
Step 2: Assemble the Layers
In a 9×13 inch baking dish, start the lasagna layering with a quarter of the chicken mixture as the base. Follow with lasagna noodles, then a portion of the cheese mixture and mozzarella. Repeat this delicious pattern twice, ensuring a beautiful and even distribution of ingredients.
Pro Tips for Making Buffalo Chicken Lasagna
- Perfect Consistency: Ensure the chicken mixture is saucy but not overly wet to prevent a soggy lasagna.
- Quick Prep: Use rotisserie chicken for a speedy and flavorful shredded chicken option.
- Cheese Choice: Mix mozzarella with provolone for an extra melty, rich top layer.
- Mind the Baking: Cover the dish while baking to start, then uncover for a perfectly browned cheesy top.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Lasagna
Garnishes
Finish your Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or extra blue cheese crumbles for added color and flavor that complement the dish’s bold tastes.
Side Dishes
This lasagna pairs well with a crisp green salad drizzled with ranch dressing or a side of buttery garlic bread to mop up that irresistible sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving individual portions in ramekins for a sophisticated touch, or add a playful twist by using buffalo checkered plates for those themed gatherings!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover Buffalo Chicken Lasagna in an airtight container. Stored in the fridge, it will stay fresh for up to 3-5 days, letting you enjoy it all over again.
Freezing
If you’re planning to freeze, make sure your lasagna cools completely. Store it in a freezer-safe container where it can last for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
When ready to reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and warm the lasagna for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. Add more mozzarella on top if you’re feeling cheesy!
FAQs
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Can I use other types of cheese instead of blue cheese?
Absolutely! If blue cheese isn’t your thing, feta or gouda can also add a nice touch of flavor and creaminess.
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What’s the best way to shred chicken for this recipe?
A simple method is to use two forks to pull apart the cooked chicken. You can also use a stand mixer on low to break it down quickly.
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How can I make the lasagna less spicy?
Mix additional ranch dressing into the buffalo sauce or choose a milder sauce to control the heat level.
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Is there a way to make this dish in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the lasagna a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Simply bake it when you’re ready to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna is a fusion that’s bound to become a favorite, offering both a kick and a sense of comfort in every bite. It’s an invitation to indulge, share, and above all, enjoy. I hope you’ll give it a try and let it warm your kitchen with its aroma and your heart with its flavors.
Print
Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Buffalo Chicken Lasagna is a spicy and flavorful twist on the classic Italian dish, combining tender shredded chicken, spicy buffalo wing sauce, creamy cheeses, and lasagna noodles to create a hearty, cheesy, and savory casserole perfect for satisfying comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
Lasagna Noodles
- 12 sheets oven ready lasagna noodles
Creamy Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 8 ounce blue cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
- 3/4 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 3/4 cup ranch dressing
- 15 ounce diced tomatoes (1 can)
Cheese for Layering
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, blue cheese, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper until well combined. In another bowl, combine shredded chicken, buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, and diced tomatoes.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Spread ¼ of the chicken mixture on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer 4 lasagna noodles on top, then spread another ¼ of the chicken mixture, followed by one-third of the cheese mixture, and sprinkle with about one-third of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers (noodles, chicken, cheese mixture, mozzarella), ending with a final layer of mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, or until bubbly and the noodles are cooked through.
Notes
- Allow the lasagna to cool slightly before slicing to ensure clean servings.
- Properly cooling and storing leftovers extends freshness and taste.
- To freeze, cool completely, then wrap tightly and store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/16 of the dish)
- Calories: 332 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 949 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 71 mg
