Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Blue Cheese and Green Onion Recipe
If you’re anything like me and love a good spicy kick combined with rich, creamy comfort food, then you’re going to adore this Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Blue Cheese and Green Onion Recipe. It’s that beautiful marriage of bold buffalo flavors mellowed out by creamy blue cheese and bright green onion, layered perfectly between tender lasagna noodles. Honestly, it’s a game-changer for family dinners or casual get-togethers when you want something familiar but with a fun twist.
What really makes this Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Blue Cheese and Green Onion Recipe stand out is its balance—spicy, creamy, cheesy, and just the right amount of tangy. It’s a dish that’s as satisfying as it is exciting to eat. Plus, you can prep so much of it ahead of time, making it a great option when you want to impress without stress.
Why This Recipe Works
- Bold Flavor Fusion: The spicy buffalo chicken pairs beautifully with creamy blue cheese and fresh green onion for a layered taste experience.
- Creamy Béchamel Sauce: This classic white sauce, loaded with cheddar and blue cheese, adds luscious richness and ties everything together.
- Simple Assembly: Using store-bought frozen chicken strips saves time and keeps the prep straightforward, so you get big flavor without a complicated prep.
- Flexible Portions: It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or prepping leftovers that taste just as good the next day.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Blue Cheese and Green Onion Recipe plays a special role, and choosing the right ones really elevates the dish. For instance, using frozen breaded chicken strips keeps things easy while still delivering that crispy texture, while the blend of cheeses creates a creamy, tangy backbone that you can’t beat.
- Frozen breaded chicken strips: Convenient and crispy once baked, these are a game-changer for speedy prep without sacrificing texture.
- Buffalo sauce: This is your spicy kick—go for a quality sauce with good heat and flavor balance.
- Lasagna noodles: The classic layering base; cooking them al dente prevents mushiness after baking.
- Mozzarella cheese: Adds melty, gooey goodness on top and inside the layers.
- Green onion: Fresh, sharp, and slightly sweet—it brightens each bite beautifully when sprinkled on top.
- Ricotta cheese: Creates that rich, creamy texture in the filling that balances the buffalo heat.
- Cream cheese: Softens the filling mixture with silky smoothness.
- Whole milk: The base for your béchamel sauce, giving it that creamy consistency.
- Flour & butter: For the roux, the thickening base that makes your béchamel sauce velvety and smooth.
- Sharp cheddar cheese: Brings a punch of flavor and melts beautifully into the béchamel.
- Blue cheese: The star that adds tangy depth, balancing the spiciness perfectly.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love to personalize this Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Blue Cheese and Green Onion Recipe depending on my mood or who I’m cooking for. Sometimes I add a little extra ranch dressing into the filling for creamier richness, or I swap out the blue cheese for crumbled feta when I want a slightly milder tang. The beauty is you can make it your own.
- Variation: When hosting friends who prefer less heat, I reduce the buffalo sauce by half and add more cream cheese to tone down the spice without losing flavor.
- Dietary modifications: For a gluten-free option, swap the noodles for gluten-free pasta sheets or even thinly sliced zucchini for a low-carb twist.
- Seasonal changes: Toss in some roasted red peppers or even a handful of baby spinach for added color and nutrition.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Blue Cheese and Green Onion Recipe
Step 1: Bake the Chicken Strips
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and arrange the frozen breaded chicken strips on a sheet pan. Bake them right away so they crisp up while you’re prepping everything else. This makes the process feel efficient, and having those crispy strips ready is key — plus, you want to avoid soggy chicken in your lasagna.
Step 2: Cook the Lasagna Noodles
Meanwhile, boil a large pot of salted water and cook your lasagna noodles until just al dente. It’s important not to overcook here because they’ll soak up sauce and continue cooking in the oven. Once done, drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and keep them from sticking together.
Step 3: Make the Buffalo Cream Cheese Filling
In a bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and half of your sliced green onions. Taste it here—you’ll want a balanced blend of spicy and creamy before layering. Adjust buffalo sauce if you feel like adding more kick.
Step 4: Prepare the Cheesy Béchamel Sauce
Melt the butter in a pot over medium-high heat, then stir in the flour to make a roux; toast it while stirring for about 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in the whole milk, making sure there are no lumps. Bring the sauce to a light boil—it’s ready when it thickly coats the back of a spoon. Turn down the heat and add sharp cheddar and blue cheese, stirring until silky smooth. If the sauce feels grainy, an immersion blender can smooth it out perfectly.
Step 5: Assemble Your Lasagna
Chop the crispy chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss with half a cup of buffalo sauce to coat. In your lasagna pan, start with a drizzle of buffalo sauce on the bottom, then layer noodles, half the creamy filling, half the chicken, and a few spoonfuls of béchamel. Repeat once more, then finish with noodles topped generously with béchamel sauce and mozzarella cheese. This layering gives you that perfect bite every time.
Step 6: Bake and Rest
Bake your lasagna at 375°F for about 40 minutes until the cheese browns nicely on top and the sauce is bubbly. Then, and this is important, let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing to allow everything to set up and make cutting clean slices easier.
Pro Tips for Making Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Blue Cheese and Green Onion Recipe
- Use Quality Buffalo Sauce: I’ve found that a good buffalo sauce with balanced heat and vinegar bite really makes this dish shine.
- Don’t Skip the Resting: Letting the lasagna rest after baking stops it from falling apart when you cut and enhances the flavors melding together.
- Smooth Béchatmel is Key: Take your time whisking the roux and sauce to prevent lumps; an immersion blender is your best friend here if it feels grainy.
- Chicken Crispness Matters: Baking the frozen chicken tenders until crispy prevents sogginess and adds great texture contrast inside the lasagna.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Blue Cheese and Green Onion Recipe
Garnishes
I always top the lasagna with a fresh handful of sliced green onions right before serving—it adds that vibrant color and a peppery crunch that wakes up the dish. Sometimes I drizzle just a little extra buffalo sauce on top if we want more heat. A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or celery leaves also adds a lovely fresh note.
Side Dishes
To keep things balanced, I like pairing this lasagna with crisp, refreshing sides like a simple mixed green salad or crunchy celery sticks with ranch or blue cheese dressing. Roasted or grilled veggies also work nicely to round out the meal without overpowering the bold flavors of the lasagna.
Creative Ways to Present
When I’m serving this for game day or a casual party, I sometimes assemble individual portions in small oven-safe ramekins—perfect for plating and extra cute for guests. It’s also fun to let everyone add their own toppings like extra green onion, crumbled blue cheese, or a dash of hot sauce. Presentation can turn it into a real conversation starter!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator; they usually keep well for about 3 to 4 days. I find that the flavors actually deepen overnight, so leftovers can be just as delicious, if not better, the next day.
Freezing
This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Blue Cheese and Green Onion Recipe freezes beautifully. I freeze it before baking in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with foil and plastic wrap. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual—sometimes adding a little extra cheese on top for that just-baked look and taste.
Reheating
To reheat, I recommend warming individual slices in the oven at 350°F, covered loosely with foil to prevent drying out, for about 15–20 minutes. You can also microwave it, but I find the oven keeps the texture closer to fresh-baked perfection.
FAQs
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Can I make this Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Blue Cheese and Green Onion Recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can substitute the chicken with hearty grilled vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant, and use extra cheese or a plant-based cheese alternative to keep it creamy and flavorful. Just throw in extra buffalo sauce for that signature spicy kick.
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What type of blue cheese should I use for this recipe?
I recommend a sharp, crumbly blue cheese like Roquefort or Gorgonzola for their bold flavor, but if you prefer something milder, opt for Danish blue cheese. Whichever you choose, make sure it’s good quality for that perfect balance with the buffalo heat.
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Can I prepare this lasagna entirely ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the entire lasagna a day before and keep it covered in the fridge. Just bake it fresh when you’re ready to serve, adding an extra 5–10 minutes to ensure it’s heated all the way through.
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What if I don’t have frozen breaded chicken strips?
No worries! You can use cooked shredded rotisserie chicken tossed with buffalo sauce or even freshly bread and bake your own chicken tenders. The key is having well-seasoned, spicy chicken to layer into the lasagna.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Blue Cheese and Green Onion Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a hug on a plate — spicy, creamy, and full of bold flavors that keep you coming back for more. I love making it when friends come over or whenever I want a dinner that’s hearty but with a fun twist. Give it a try—you might just find it becomes a new favorite in your rotation, like it did in mine.
PrintBuffalo Chicken Lasagna with Blue Cheese and Green Onion Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna combines spicy buffalo chicken, creamy ricotta filling, and a rich cheddar and blue cheese béchamel sauce layered between tender lasagna noodles for a bold, flavorful twist on classic lasagna perfect for game day or family dinners.
Ingredients
Lasagna Layers
- 20 oz. frozen breaded chicken strips
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce, plus extra for pan
- 1 lb. lasagna noodles
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup green onion, thinly sliced
Filling
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup green onion, sliced
Béchamel Sauce
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup blue cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 10×14 lasagna pan or a 9×13 casserole dish with a drizzle of buffalo sauce for extra flavor.
- Bake Chicken Strips: Arrange frozen breaded chicken strips on a sheet tray and bake in the preheated oven until crispy while preparing other components, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven once crispy.
- Cook Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and immediately transfer to a bowl of cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
- Make Filling: In a mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together ricotta cheese, buffalo sauce, and softened cream cheese. Taste and set aside for assembling.
- Prepare Béchamel Sauce: In a pot over medium-high heat, melt butter. Stir in flour and toast the roux for about 30 seconds, stirring continuously to prevent burning. Slowly whisk in the whole milk to avoid lumps and bring the sauce to a boil until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Reduce heat to low and stir in sharp cheddar and blue cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper, and use an immersion blender if needed for a creamy texture.
- Chop and Sauce Chicken: Chop baked chicken strips into bite-sized pieces and toss with 1/2 cup buffalo sauce to coat evenly.
- Assemble Lasagna: Drizzle buffalo sauce on the bottom of the prepared pan. Layer lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta mixture evenly over noodles, sprinkle half of the chopped buffalo chicken, and drizzle some béchamel sauce over this layer. Repeat these layers once more ending with noodles on top.
- Top and Bake: Spread the remaining béchamel sauce over the top noodles and sprinkle with grated mozzarella cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown on top.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove lasagna from the oven and let it rest for at least 10 minutes to set. Garnish the top with thinly sliced green onions before slicing and serving.
- Serve: Slice the lasagna into portions and enjoy this spicy, cheesy comfort dish!
Notes
- Using frozen breaded chicken strips saves time, but fresh grilled chicken can be substituted for a different texture.
- Make sure to toss noodles in cold water immediately after boiling to prevent sticking and overcooking.
- An immersion blender helps achieve a smooth béchamel sauce if lumps form.
- If blue cheese is too strong, reduce quantity or use a milder variety for the béchamel.
- Leftover lasagna stores well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or can be frozen for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg