Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Ranch Drizzle
Combining tender chicken, a zesty buffalo sauce, and lots of cheese, Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Ranch Drizzle is a delectably creamy and spicy take on classic lasagna. The ideal harmony of flavors is achieved by finishing it with a refreshing ranch drizzle. Here is a detailed recipe for this decadent dish:
Components:
Regarding the lasagna:
- Two cups of cooked, shredded chicken (about two large breasts)
- Half a cup of buffalo wing sauce, adjusted to your preferred level of heat
- Ranch dressing, 1/4 cup (plus more for drizzling)
- Depending on the size of your baking dish, 9–12 lasagna noodles
- One and a half cups of ricotta
- Two cups of split, shredded mozzarella cheese
- Half a cup of cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated
- One egg
- One tablespoon of olive oil (to grease)
- To taste, add salt and pepper.
Regarding the ranch drizzle:
- 1/4 cup of ranch dressing
- One tablespoon of milk (if necessary to thin it out)
- One teaspoon of freshly chopped parsley, if desired
Directions:
1. Get the chicken ready:
- If you haven’t previously, you can use two forks to shred the chicken once it’s cooked through by boiling or roasting it. For a speedier alternative, rotisserie chicken is a good choice.
- Put the buffalo sauce and the shredded chicken in a big bowl. Stir until the sauce coats the chicken evenly. Put aside.
2. Prepare the noodles for the lasagna:
- Follow the directions on the package to prepare the lasagna noodles. To avoid sticking, drain and rinse with cold water after finishing. To prevent adhesion, place them on a dish and drizzle with olive oil.
3. Get the cheese mixture ready:
- Put the ricotta cheese, egg, cheddar cheese, Parmesan, half of the shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup), and a dash of salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix thoroughly.
4. Put the lasagna together:
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray olive oil in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- First, cover the bottom of the baking dish with a thin coating of the buffalo chicken mixture.
- On top of the chicken mixture, arrange three to four lasagna noodles, gently overlapping.
- Cover the noodles with half of the ricotta cheese mixture, then add another layer of buffalo chicken mixture.
- Continue layering the noodles, chicken mixture, and ricotta mixture.
- Cover with the remaining buffalo chicken mixture and add a final layer of noodles.
- Evenly distribute the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese shreds on top.
5. Make the lasagna:
- Bake the lasagna for 25 to 30 minutes, or until it is well heated, covered with foil.
- After 30 minutes, take off the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the top is just beginning to turn golden and the cheese is bubbling and melted.
6. Prepare the ranch drizzle:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and ranch dressing while the lasagna bakes. If you want a thinner drizzle, add extra milk to adjust the consistency. For added taste and color, you can also add a teaspoon of minced parsley.
7. Offer:
- Before slicing, allow the lasagna to rest for five to ten minutes.
- Top each lasagna dish with a drizzle of ranch sauce for a cold, creamy contrast to the hot buffalo chicken.
Advice:
- Modify the heat: Before baking, sprinkle the lasagna with red pepper flakes or add extra buffalo sauce to the chicken mixture if you like your food hotter.
- Prepare ahead of time: The lasagna may be put together a day ahead of time, covered securely with foil, and kept in the refrigerator until it’s time to bake. If baking from the refrigerator, simply allow an additional 10 to 15 minutes for baking.
- Add vegetables: The flavor of buffalo chicken might go well with bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms if you’d like to include some vegetables.
A wonderful, robust take on classic lasagna, Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Ranch Drizzle offers the ideal balance of creaminess and spice. The buffalo sauce’s spiciness is expertly counterbalanced by the refreshing, tangy ranch drizzle!