Introduction
This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna combines the fiery flavors of buffalo wings with the creamy, cheesy layers of traditional lasagna. Perfect for game day, potlucks, or feeding a crowd, it’s a crowd-pleaser that balances heat, tang, and richness in every bite!
Ingredients
- For the Buffalo Chicken Layer:
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or boiled)
- 1 ½ cups buffalo sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 cup ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing)
- 1 cup diced celery (optional, for crunch)
- ½ cup diced red onion
- For the Cheese Layers:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Additional:
- 12 lasagna noodles (oven-ready or boiled)
- ½ cup blue cheese crumbles (optional, for garnish)
- Fresh parsley or chives (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep the Buffalo Chicken Mixture:
- In a bowl, mix shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, celery, and red onion. Set aside.
- Make the Ricotta Layer:
- In another bowl, combine ricotta, egg, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and ½ cup mozzarella cheese.
- Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer 1: Spread ½ cup buffalo chicken mixture on the bottom.
- Layer 2: Place 4 noodles over the sauce.
- Layer 3: Spread half the ricotta mixture over noodles.
- Layer 4: Top with 1 cup buffalo chicken mixture and ½ cup mozzarella.
- Repeat layers (noodles, ricotta, buffalo chicken, cheese).
- Final Layer: Noodles, remaining buffalo chicken, and all remaining cheeses (mozzarella, cheddar, Parmesan).
- Bake:
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15-20 minutes more until bubbly and golden.
- Rest and Garnish:
- Let cool 10 minutes. Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles and fresh herbs before serving.
Tips for Success
- Shortcut: Use store-bought rotisserie chicken and oven-ready noodles.
- Adjust Heat: Reduce buffalo sauce to 1 cup for milder flavor, or add a dash of cayenne for extra spice.
- Make Ahead: Assemble unbaked lasagna, refrigerate overnight, and bake the next day.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute gluten-free lasagna noodles.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with extra ranch or blue cheese dressing for drizzling.
- Pair with celery sticks, carrot sticks, or garlic bread to balance the heat.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate)
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 30g
- Protein: 28g
- Sodium: 1200mg
Conclusion
Buffalo Chicken Lasagna is a bold, flavorful mashup that’s guaranteed to impress. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with zesty buffalo spice, it’s the ultimate comfort food for anyone who loves a little heat!