Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Recipe
If you love the bold, zesty flavors of buffalo chicken and the comforting, cheesy appeal of lasagna, then Buffalo Chicken Lasagna is your new must-try dinner. This irresistible casserole layers tender chicken tossed in spicy buffalo wing sauce with creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and a punch of blue cheese for that classic wing experience—all nestled between delicate noodles. Whether you’re looking for a show-stopping game day meal or a family weeknight favorite, Buffalo Chicken Lasagna delivers incredible taste and a playful twist on the beloved Italian classic, uniting spice, comfort, and creamy goodness in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Buffalo Chicken Lasagna comes together with a handful of everyday ingredients, each playing a special role in both flavor and texture. From the fiery buffalo sauce to the creamy cheeses, each element brings something necessary to the table, ensuring a crave-worthy result!
- Lasagna noodles: These classic pasta sheets create the sturdy, crowd-pleasing layers; use traditional or gluten-free depending on your preference.
- Shredded chicken: Rotisserie or leftover chicken works perfectly, soaking up that tangy buffalo flavor for juicy, flavorful bites.
- Buffalo wing sauce: The star of the show—it delivers that signature spicy kick and brilliant orange hue; dial up or down to suit your heat tolerance.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully for that stretchy, cheesy layer you absolutely crave in lasagna.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds a sharp, robust punch to balance the creamy cheeses and spicy sauce.
- Ricotta cheese: Brings a luscious, creamy texture to each bite, offering a cool contrast to the buffalo zing.
- Sour cream: Infuses extra creaminess and a slight tang into the ricotta filling, making every forkful rich but balanced.
- Chopped green onions: Fresh, crisp, and mildly oniony—they brighten up the filling and add a pop of color.
- Garlic powder: An easy way to infuse a gentle garlicky background note; no chopping required.
- Salt: Just a dash brings all the flavors into perfect harmony.
- Black pepper: A subtle kick of heat to round out the spices.
- Crumbled blue cheese (optional): Brings that iconic tangy bite that buffalo chicken fans adore—skip if blue isn’t your thing.
- Chopped fresh parsley: A fresh, herby finish that makes your Buffalo Chicken Lasagna look as inviting as it tastes.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Lasagna
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Noodles
Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. While it comes up to temperature, cook your lasagna noodles according to package directions until just al dente, then drain and set them aside. This step ensures your noodles have the right texture and won’t turn mushy after baking.
Step 2: Make the Spicy Buffalo Chicken Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine your cooked shredded chicken with buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until the chicken is fully coated and every bite will get that punchy, mouthwatering buffalo flavor.
Step 3: Whip Up the Creamy Ricotta Layer
In a separate bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese and sour cream until smooth and creamy. This blend will add a soft, mellow layer to balance out the spicy chicken, giving your Buffalo Chicken Lasagna a unique twist.
Step 4: Layer Up the Goodness
Spread a thin layer of the buffalo chicken mixture on the bottom of your 9×13-inch baking dish—this keeps the noodles from sticking and infuses them with flavor. Lay down 3 lasagna noodles, then top with half of your ricotta-sour cream mixture. Sprinkle over 1 cup of mozzarella and half a cup of cheddar cheese for that irresistible cheesy layer. Next, add half of the remaining buffalo chicken. Repeat these layers once more, then finish with a final layer of noodles and the rest of your mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
Step 5: The Ultimate Cheesy Finish
If you’re a blue cheese lover, now’s the time to sprinkle the crumbles all over the top. This gives your Buffalo Chicken Lasagna its distinct, tangy personality—it’s optional, but highly recommended for true buffalo enthusiasts.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes so the flavors can meld together and your cheeses start to melt. Remove the foil and bake an extra 10 minutes, allowing the top to bubble up and turn gorgeously golden. Let it cool for about 10 minutes once out of the oven; this helps it set and makes slicing so much easier.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Lasagna
Garnishes
Treat your Buffalo Chicken Lasagna like a celebration! Scatter freshly chopped parsley and extra green onions over the top for a pop of vibrant color and flavor contrast. If you left room for even more blue cheese, a few extra crumbles right before serving are pure decadence.
Side Dishes
This lasagna is bold and creamy, so simple sides work best—think a crisp green salad with ranch or blue cheese dressing, or a bowl of crunchy celery and carrot sticks to mirror your favorite buffalo chicken platter. Garlic bread or even a cool cucumber salad would also be stellar companions for soaking up all the saucy goodness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, cut your Buffalo Chicken Lasagna into smaller squares and serve as hearty finger food for parties or game nights. Or, try layering it in individual ramekins for single-serving wow-factor at dinner parties. Leftovers also make terrific “lasagna roll-ups”—just slice, roll, and secure with a toothpick for lunchtime treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrapped up tightly, leftover Buffalo Chicken Lasagna keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to four days. Just make sure the dish is cool before you store it, and use an airtight container to lock in freshness and prevent your fridge from smelling like a wing joint.
Freezing
One of the best things about Buffalo Chicken Lasagna is how well it freezes! Cover tightly in foil or use a freezer-safe dish, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to preserve the creamy textures.
Reheating
For best results, reheat slices in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through and bubbly—about 20 minutes, covered loosely with foil. The microwave works too for lightning-fast lunches, just be sure to heat in short bursts so the cheese melts evenly without drying out your slice.
FAQs
Can I make Buffalo Chicken Lasagna less spicy?
Absolutely! Simply reduce the amount of buffalo wing sauce, or swap in a milder hot sauce or ranch dressing for half of the buffalo sauce to tone down the heat while keeping that signature tangy flavor.
What’s the best chicken to use?
Leftover rotisserie chicken is incredibly convenient and flavorful, but any cooked, shredded chicken breast or thigh will work. The key is that it’s already cooked and tender, so it soaks up all the sauce.
How can I make Buffalo Chicken Lasagna gluten-free?
Just substitute regular lasagna noodles with your favorite gluten-free pasta variety—they bake up just as well and let everyone enjoy this spicy, cheesy comfort food.
Is blue cheese necessary for this recipe?
Blue cheese adds traditional buffalo wing flair, but if you’re not a fan, simply leave it out. The lasagna will still be rich, cheesy, and absolutely delicious without it.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Definitely! You can assemble Buffalo Chicken Lasagna up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated. Just allow a few extra minutes of bake time if you’re cooking it straight from the fridge.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to shake up your comfort food routine, Buffalo Chicken Lasagna is pure cheesy, spicy bliss in casserole form. It’s the dish you’ll crave when you want something hearty with a hint of playful heat—so gather your favorite people and serve it up. I promise: once you try it, this mash-up becomes a regular in your kitchen!
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Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Buffalo Chicken Lasagna. Layers of spicy buffalo chicken, creamy cheeses, and lasagna noodles come together for a delicious twist on a classic dish.
Ingredients
Lasagna:
- 9 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
Buffalo Chicken Mixture:
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Layers:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat to 375°F.
- Prepare Chicken Mixture: Mix shredded chicken with buffalo sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: Combine ricotta cheese with sour cream.
- Layer Ingredients: Spread chicken mixture on the bottom, layer with noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, cheddar, and buffalo chicken mixture. Repeat layers.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, bake for another 10 minutes until bubbly.
- Cool and Garnish: Let cool, then garnish with green onions and parsley.
Notes
- For milder flavor, reduce buffalo sauce or use ranch dressing.
- Add cooked celery or carrots for extra crunch.
- Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
