Buffalo Chicken with Ranch Twist

Featured in Family Dinner Ideas.

This Buffalo chicken lasagna brings a bold and spicy twist to the classic pasta dish. It features layers of tender shredded chicken tossed in Buffalo sauce, combined with a flavorful cheese mixture including ricotta, mozzarella, ranch dressing, and a hint of blue cheese. Each layer is packed with comforting flavors and topped with golden, bubbly cheese for the perfect finish. Quick to prepare and bursting with rich, tangy, and savory notes, this delicious take is ideal for weeknight dinners or gatherings. Pair it with a crisp salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Fatiha
Updated on Sun, 06 Jul 2025 19:58:19 GMT
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A plate of food with a fork on it. | zestplate.com

This buffalo chicken lasagna transforms your favorite wing flavors into a comforting pasta bake that satisfies those spicy cravings while delivering the creamy goodness of classic lasagna. The combination of tangy buffalo sauce and cool ranch creates an irresistible flavor profile that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

I first created this recipe for a football Sunday gathering when I wanted something more substantial than traditional wings. The dish disappeared before halftime and has become our mandatory game day tradition ever since.

  • Lasagna noodles: provide the perfect sturdy base for holding all those bold flavors
  • Shredded chicken: works best when pulled into small pieces for even distribution of flavor
  • Buffalo sauce: brings that signature tangy heat look for one with a good balance of spice
  • Ricotta cheese: adds creaminess and helps mellow the heat
  • Ranch dressing: creates that classic buffalo wing pairing right in the lasagna
  • Mozzarella cheese: provides that essential stretchy cheese pull we all love
  • Blue cheese: offers authentic buffalo wing flavor with bold punchy notes
  • Garlic powder and onion powder: enhance the overall flavor without requiring fresh aromatics
  • Salt and pepper: balance and enhance all the other flavors

How To Make Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with a Ranch Twist

Prepare Chicken Mixture:
Combine your shredded chicken with buffalo sauce in a large bowl ensuring every piece is coated. The chicken should be warm enough to absorb the sauce but not hot. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes so the flavors can meld together properly.
Create Cheese Blend:
Mix the ricotta cheese with ranch dressing until completely smooth. Add the garlic powder onion powder salt and pepper stirring thoroughly. This creamy mixture provides the cooling counterpoint to the spicy buffalo chicken layer.
Start Layering Process:
Begin with a thin layer of buffalo chicken mixture spread evenly across the bottom of your baking dish. This creates a flavorful base and prevents noodles from sticking. Press it down gently with a spatula for an even surface.
Build Your Layers:
Place lasagna noodles in a single layer overlapping slightly if needed. Spread a generous portion of the ranch ricotta mixture over the noodles reaching all the way to the edges. Add a layer of buffalo chicken followed by a sprinkle of both mozzarella and blue cheese. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used finishing with a generous layer of cheese on top.
Bake To Perfection:
Cover tightly with foil to trap moisture and heat allowing the flavors to meld without burning the cheese. After 30 minutes remove the foil and continue baking until the top turns golden and bubbly with crisp edges about 10 to 15 minutes more.
Allow To Rest:
Let the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes before cutting. This crucial step allows the layers to set making it easier to serve clean portions while preventing the filling from oozing out too much.
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A plate of food with cheese and bacon. | zestplate.com

The blue cheese in this recipe truly makes it special. I discovered its importance after making it once without it when my grocery store was out. While still delicious something was missing that signature tang that balances the heat of the buffalo sauce and reminds you of authentic wings. My husband immediately noticed the difference requesting I never skip it again.

Spice Level Customization

This recipe can easily be adjusted to suit different heat preferences. For a milder version reduce the buffalo sauce to 1/2 cup and increase the ranch to 3/4 cup. The dairy elements naturally help tame the heat while maintaining flavor. For those who enjoy more heat look for a buffalo sauce with higher Scoville units or add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture. I keep a bottle of extra buffalo sauce on the table so heat lovers can add more to their individual portions.

Make Ahead And Storage Tips

This lasagna actually improves with time making it ideal for meal prep. Assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours before baking cover tightly with plastic wrap followed by foil and refrigerate. When ready to bake remove the plastic wrap replace the foil and add about 15 minutes to the covered baking time. Leftovers store beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze allow the cooked lasagna to cool completely then portion into individual servings or freeze the entire pan wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating at 350°F until hot throughout.

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A plate of food with a fork on it. | zestplate.com

Serving Suggestions

This buffalo chicken lasagna pairs wonderfully with a crisp side salad dressed simply with lemon and olive oil to balance the richness. Garlic bread makes an excellent accompaniment though some might find the meal complete on its own given its hearty nature. For a fun twist serve with celery and carrot sticks just like traditional buffalo wings providing a fresh crunchy contrast to the creamy cheesy dish. When serving for a party consider setting out small ramekins of extra ranch dressing and buffalo sauce allowing guests to customize their plates.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different type of pasta?

While lasagna noodles are traditional, you can substitute them with no-boil noodles or even layered pasta sheets for convenience.

→ Is there a substitute for Buffalo sauce?

If you prefer less heat, you can use mild wing sauce or mix BBQ sauce with a bit of hot sauce for a gentler flavor.

→ Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?

Yes, prepare the lasagna up to the baking step, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready to serve.

→ What can I use instead of blue cheese?

If you're not a fan of blue cheese, you can omit it or replace it with grated Parmesan or extra mozzarella.

→ Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes, cut the lasagna into portions, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to three months. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

→ How do I make this dish gluten-free?

Use gluten-free lasagna noodles and ensure all other ingredients, like sauces and seasonings, are certified gluten-free.

→ What side dishes pair well with this lasagna?

A crisp green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables make excellent accompaniments for this dish.

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Twist

A bold Buffalo chicken lasagna with cheesy layers and a ranch-infused twist.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
65 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: One 9x13-inch lasagna

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 12 cooked lasagna noodles
02 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
03 1 cup Buffalo sauce
04 1 cup ricotta cheese
05 1/2 cup ranch dressing
06 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
07 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
08 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 1 teaspoon onion powder
10 Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it.

Step 02

In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken with the Buffalo sauce and mix well.

Step 03

In another bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, ranch dressing, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Step 04

Spread a layer of the chicken and Buffalo sauce mixture on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add a layer of cooked lasagna noodles. Spread a layer of the cheese mixture, then sprinkle with mozzarella and blue cheese. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a top layer of cheese.

Step 05

Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 06

Let the lasagna sit for a few minutes before slicing and serving warm.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Aluminum foil

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy products
  • Contains gluten

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 425
  • Total Fat: 23.5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 38.2 g
  • Protein: 21.6 g