If you’re a fan of both spicy and creamy flavors, say hello to your new favorite comfort food: Buffalo Chicken Lasagna! This irresistible dish combines the zesty kick of buffalo wing sauce with the gooey indulgence of classic lasagna, creating a culinary match made in heaven.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor Explosion: Each layer bursts with the bold, tangy heat of buffalo wing sauce, perfectly balanced by creamy cheeses and tender chicken.
- Comfort Food Delight: This dish takes traditional lasagna up a notch with its spicy twist, making it a surefire hit for any occasion.
- Make Ahead Magic: Prepping this lasagna in advance means less stress and more enjoyment when it’s time to eat.
- Customizable Fun: There are countless ways to tweak the ingredients to suit your taste, making it adaptable for any palate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is a breeze, and each one plays a key role in creating this flavorful Buffalo Chicken Lasagna. From the creamy richness of ricotta to spicy buffalo sauce, every component adds to its deliciousness.
- 12 sheets lasagna noodles: Use oven-ready for ease and convenience.
- 1 cup ricotta cheese: Gives that essential creamy texture in the layers.
- 8 ounce blue cheese: Adds a tangy edge to balance the spicy buffalo flavor.
- 1 large egg: Helps bind the cheese mixture for the perfect consistency.
- ¼ cup parsley, chopped: Freshens each bite with a pop of color and flavor.
- Salt and pepper: Season to taste for that perfect seasoning.
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded: Provides a hearty meatiness that carries the buffalo sauce beautifully.
- ¾ cup buffalo wing sauce: The star of the dish, bringing the heat and flavor!
- ¾ cup ranch dressing: Cools the heat while adding a creamy contrast.
- 15 ounce diced tomatoes (1 can): Balances the richness with a sweet and tart punch.
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese: Melts into gooey perfection, finishing off each layer.
Variations
This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna is already packed with flavor, but feel free to customize it. Here are some tasty variations that can accommodate dietary needs or personal preferences with ease.
- Vegetarian Version: Replace chicken with roasted vegetables like zucchini and mushrooms for a meat-free option.
- Spicy Level Adjustments: Control the heat by either increasing or decreasing the buffalo sauce amount to your liking.
- Cheese Swaps: Substitute cheddar or pepper jack for mozzarella if you want a sharper cheese flavor.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Lasagna
Step 1: Prep the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Doing this ensures that your lasagna will bake evenly, with every layer melting and melding perfectly together.
Step 2: Mix the Cheese Filling
Combine ricotta, blue cheese, a large egg, and freshly chopped parsley in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You’ll find this mixture creamy, tangy, and the ideal companion to the spicy chicken filling.
Step 3: Prepare the Chicken Mixture
In a separate bowl, mix shredded chicken with buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, and diced tomatoes. This flavorful concoction brings bold, tangy heat that complements the cheesy layers superbly.
Step 4: Assemble the Layers
Start layering in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Begin with a quarter of the chicken mixture, followed by four lasagna noodles. Add a third of the cheese mixture and then sprinkle a third of the mozzarella. Repeat until you have three layers of noodles.
Step 5: Bake the Lasagna
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 20 minutes, letting the cheese turn deliciously golden and bubbly.
Pro Tips for Making Buffalo Chicken Lasagna
- Cheese Consistency: Let your cheeses sit at room temperature for a bit to blend smoothly, enhancing the creamy texture.
- Perfect Layers: Use a spatula to evenly spread ingredients, ensuring consistent layers throughout the lasagna.
- Resting Time: Allow your lasagna to rest for 10 minutes after baking for easier cutting and serving.
- Ingredient Selection: Opt for a quality buffalo sauce that suits your heat preference for the best results.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Lasagna
Garnishes
Freshly chopped parsley or green onions can add a splash of color and a subtle burst of freshness on top of your Buffalo Chicken Lasagna. Feel free to add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you’re craving extra heat!
Side Dishes
Paired perfectly with a crisp green salad or some garlic bread, Buffalo Chicken Lasagna makes for a well-rounded meal. The fresh crunch of a salad provides a nice balance to the richness of the lasagna.
Creative Ways to Present
For a creative presentation, serve individual portions in small, personal baking dishes. This not only looks charming but also keeps each slice neatly intact, ready for guests to dive in!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After the feast, properly store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for about 3 to 5 days, so you can enjoy a quick, flavorful meal later in the week.
Freezing
If you’re planning to freeze your lasagna, let it cool completely first. Pack it into airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, and it will be good for 2 to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To reheat your Buffalo Chicken Lasagna, pop it in the oven at 350°F covered with foil for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through. This ensures the dish remains moist and flavorful.
FAQs
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Can I use other cheeses instead of blue cheese?
Absolutely! If blue cheese isn’t your favorite, cheddar or Monterey Jack are great alternatives that still provide bold flavor.
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How can I make this lasagna gluten-free?
Simply swap out regular lasagna noodles for gluten-free varieties, available in most grocery stores, to make this dish gluten-free.
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What’s the best way to shred the chicken?
For tender and juicy shreds, poach the chicken breasts and then use two forks to pull the meat apart gently.
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Can I prepare the lasagna a day in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the entire lasagna a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just bake it when you’re ready to eat!
Final Thoughts
If you’re seeking a comforting, flavorful, and slightly spicy dish, Buffalo Chicken Lasagna is your ticket to culinary happiness. Enjoy creating and sharing this delicious lasagna with loved ones—it’s always a crowd-pleaser!
PrintBuffalo 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 flavorful and spicy twist on traditional lasagna, layered with shredded chicken in a buffalo wing sauce, ricotta and blue cheese, and topped with melted mozzarella. It combines the creamy, cheesy goodness of classic lasagna with the bold, fiery flavors of buffalo wings, making it an ideal comfort food for game day or a hearty family dinner.
Ingredients
Lasagna Noodles
- 12 sheets oven-ready lasagna noodles
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 3/4 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 3/4 cup ranch dressing
- 15 ounces diced tomatoes, drained (1 can)
Cheese Topping
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the lasagna.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, blue cheese, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- Prepare Chicken Mixture: In another bowl, mix shredded cooked chicken, buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, and diced tomatoes until evenly coated.
- Assemble Lasagna: Spoon ¼ of the chicken mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer 4 lasagna noodles over the chicken, then add another ¼ of the chicken mixture and one-third of the cheese mixture. Sprinkle with about one-third of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat this layering process two more times, 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 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 store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
- Freeze leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
- You can add more blue cheese or ranch dressing for extra flavor, according to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/16 of the dish)
- Calories: 415 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg