Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Recipe

What combines buffalo sauce, chicken and squash? Recipe developer and registered dietician Kristen Carli gave us the answer: buffalo chicken spaghetti squash. It's like chicken wings without the bone part, and we're hungry for it. Even if you're not from New York, we all appreciate anything buffalo-flavored. We wanted to see how plant-based pasta and protein fuse together, and with just 20 minutes to prep, you can see for yourself! 

Squash is a fantastically versatile food, and it happens to pair wonderfully with both chicken and buffalo flavor. "I love buffalo chicken," Carli says about her inspiration behind the dish. "I typically do not eat a lot of meat and never feel super inspired by chicken, but buffalo chicken has my heart. I love the flavor of the buffalo sauce with ranch dressing." We couldn't agree more! Carli also notes that "spaghetti squash is [her] favorite type of squash because it can act as a pasta," so when you combine that with buffalo chicken, you have one tasty dish. If you're looking for the perfect meal to spice up a weeknight dinner, this buffalo chicken spaghetti squash recipe is here to deliver.

With just five simple ingredients, you can make this delicious dinner in a jiffy. You'll need some cooked, shredded chicken breast, buffalo sauce, and a packet of ranch dressing mix. You'll also need a medium spaghetti squash, which will make the "boats" for the chicken, and some blue cheese crumbles. Lastly, for garnish, have a bit of shredded mozzarella cheese ready, if that floats your boat (pun intended).

Carli notes that you're free to use any meat of preference, but she highly recommends chicken. "You can sub in ground turkey or ground beef if you would like, but I prefer chicken," she informed us. Also, nothing pairs better with buffalo sauce than chicken!

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 F. Wash and cut the spaghetti squash in half, lengthwise. With a metal utensil, scoop out the core of seeds for disposing. Place both halves on an unlined baking sheet. Bake them together for 30 minutes, until they're slightly golden. You may want to increase baking time if your squash is very thick. Quick tip: Be prepared to leave the oven on while you prep, as you'll be using it again later in the recipe.

In a large bowl, add the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing mix, and blue cheese crumbles. With tongs, mix to combine. Once the chicken is fully covered in sauce and seasonings, you're good to go. Our goal was to balance the flavors for you to enjoy. "Buffalo sauce is classically combined with ranch and blue cheese," Carli explains. "They can offer some creaminess and a way to tamp down the spice/ heat of buffalo sauce." 

Once your chicken is prepped and the timer dings, remove the spaghetti squash from your oven. With forks, shred the "meat" of the squash to create spaghetti-like strands. That's right, we're making plant-based pasta, so it's completely gluten- and wheat-free. When the insides have been fully shredded, scoop out the spaghetti strands and add them into the chicken mixture. Toss with tongs to combine, ensuring that the spaghetti is evenly distributed amongst the chicken and buffalo mixture.

You've made it to the final step! Last but not least, pour the spaghetti squash chicken mixture into the spaghetti squash boats. Allow them to bake for 15 minutes. Our recipe developer suggests buffalo chicken spaghetti squash for a stress-free meal. "I love this as an easy weeknight dinner meal," Carli explains. "It is also wonderful to serve at football watching parties." We know you'll savor it's striking flavors and simplicity.

All set! Once you bring the buffalo chicken spaghetti squashes out of the oven, you may garnish it with mozzarella cheese, and then you're ready to serve. This entree is packed with nutrients, and Carli likes to maintain a certain nutrition level by pairing this dish with healthy sides. "I love this served with carrots and celery to make this a very traditional buffalo chicken," she says. And, to store leftovers, follow Carli's instructions: "This stores best in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend scooping contents out of squash boats for storage." Revel in this dinner made easy. We know your friends and family will be pleased with this delicious buffalo chicken spaghetti squash recipe!