Absolutely! Here’s a long, detailed recipe for Cheesy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Lasagna, a bold, spicy, and creamy twist on classic lasagna. This indulgent dish layers tender shredded chicken, tangy buffalo sauce, rich ranch-infused béchamel, lasagna noodles, and gooey cheese. It’s perfect for gatherings, game day, or when you’re craving serious comfort food.
🧀🔥 Cheesy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Lasagna
Servings: 8–10
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 50–60 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate
Creamy, spicy, cheesy, and unforgettable.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Chicken Mixture:
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie or poached)
- 1 ½ cups buffalo wing sauce (like Frank’s RedHot or your favorite)
- ½ cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
For the Ranch Béchamel Sauce:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk (warm)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (optional, for extra richness)
For Assembly:
- 9–12 lasagna noodles (regular or no-boil)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese (optional, for classic buffalo flavor)
- 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or chives (for garnish)
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
1.
Prepare the Chicken Filling
- In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Mix thoroughly and set aside. Taste and adjust heat level by adding more or less buffalo sauce.
🔥 Tip: For extra heat, add cayenne or a dash of hot sauce.
2.
Make the Ranch Béchamel Sauce
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour to form a roux and cook for 1–2 minutes, until golden and nutty.
- Gradually whisk in warm milk, a little at a time, to avoid lumps.
- Add salt, garlic powder, black pepper, dill, parsley, and onion powder.
- Let the sauce simmer and thicken for 5–7 minutes, whisking often.
- Stir in ranch dressing and optional shredded mozzarella. Stir until smooth.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
🧄 Tip: Use a good-quality ranch dressing or homemade for best flavor.
3.
Boil the Lasagna Noodles (if not using no-boil)
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook lasagna noodles until al dente, about 8–9 minutes.
- Drain and rinse with cold water. Lay flat on parchment or drizzle with oil to prevent sticking.
4.
Mix the Ricotta Layer
- In a small bowl, combine ricotta (or cottage cheese) with 1 beaten egg and grated Parmesan.
- Stir until smooth and creamy.
5.
Assemble the Lasagna
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Layering Order (Bottom to Top):
- Thin layer of béchamel sauce (to prevent sticking)
- 3–4 lasagna noodles
- ½ of the buffalo chicken mixture
- ⅓ of the béchamel sauce
- ½ of the ricotta mixture (dollop and gently spread)
- Sprinkle of mozzarella and cheddar
- Repeat the layers:
- Noodles
- Remaining buffalo chicken
- ⅓ béchamel
- Remaining ricotta
- More mozzarella & cheddar
- Top layer:
- Final noodles
- Remaining béchamel
- Remaining shredded cheese
- Optional: sprinkle with blue cheese for authentic buffalo zing
6.
Bake
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15–20 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
- Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing—this helps the layers hold together.
🧀 Tip: Place a baking sheet under the dish to catch any bubbling cheese spillover.
🌿 Garnish & Serve
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley or chives.
- Drizzle with extra buffalo sauce or ranch before serving.
- Serve with a simple green salad, celery sticks, or garlic bread.
🔁 Variations
- Spicy BBQ Version: Swap buffalo sauce for spicy BBQ sauce + a splash of hot sauce.
- Low-carb: Use sliced grilled zucchini or low-carb lasagna noodles instead of pasta.
- Vegetarian: Substitute chicken with roasted cauliflower or jackfruit.
- Crunchy topping: Add panko mixed with butter and Parmesan for the last 10 minutes of baking.
🥡 Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat: Cover with foil and warm in the oven at 350°F for 20–25 minutes, or microwave individual slices.
🍽️ Bonus: Make-Ahead Instructions
- Fully assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours in advance.
- Cover and refrigerate.
- When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking as directed.
Would you like a printable version, a slow cooker or instant pot adaptation, or homemade buffalo and ranch sauce recipes to pair with this lasagna?