There's something so satisfying about combining comfort food with a healthy twist, and this Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe does exactly that. You get tender shredded chicken mingling with spicy buffalo sauce inside the naturally noodle-like strands of spaghetti squash—it's a flavor-packed, hearty meal that never disappoints.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this recipe countless times with friends and family and every time, it’s a hit. It’s that perfect mix of spicy and creamy, and the spaghetti squash makes it light enough to enjoy without feeling weighed down.
- Nutrient-Packed: Spaghetti squash provides a low-carb, fiber-rich base that pairs wonderfully with protein-packed chicken.
- Easy to Make: You can prepare this in about an hour with straightforward steps and everyday ingredients.
- Flavor Explosion: The tangy buffalo sauce combined with cool ranch and crumbled blue cheese creates a crowd-pleasing flavor profile.
- Versatility: You can easily customize heat levels and add veggies to make it your own.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe plays a distinct role, whether it’s adding flavor, texture, or nutrition. The key is balancing the spicy buffalo sauce with creamy elements and crisp veggies.
- Chicken breast: Cooking and shredding the chicken yourself lets you control the texture and flavor; leftovers work great too.
- Spaghetti squash: This is your low-carb noodle substitute and a fantastic vessel for all those buffalo flavors.
- Celery: Adds a fresh crunch that contrasts nicely with the softness of the squash and chicken.
- Green onions: Offer a subtle bite without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Red bell pepper: Brings a touch of sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.
- Buffalo sauce: This is the star spice, so pick one that suits your heat tolerance; homemade also works beautifully.
- Ranch dressing: Creamy and cooling, it helps tone down the heat if you like a milder bite.
- Blue cheese: Optional but highly recommended for that authentic tangy kick that complements buffalo flavors perfectly.
Make It Your Way
One thing I love about this Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe is how easy it is to adapt. Whether you want it spicier, creamier, or packed with more veggies—you’ve got tons of room to make it your signature dish.
- Variation: I often swap blue cheese for shredded mozzarella when I’m cooking for kids—they still get the creamy goodness without the sharp bite.
- Low Spice Option: Use half buffalo sauce and half barbecue sauce for a milder, smoky flavor.
- Extra Veggies: Throw in some sautéed mushrooms or spinach to add more color and nutrition.
- Protein Swap: Try shredded rotisserie chicken for a super quick prep.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Spaghetti Squash Until Tender
I start by halving the squash and scooping out the seeds. To get perfectly tender strands, roast it face-down on a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for about 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a fork slides easily through the flesh. This step locks in a lovely roasted flavor and makes shredding a breeze.
Step 2: Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Mixture
While the squash roasts, shred your cooked chicken breast with two forks—I find shredding by hand gives better texture than a food processor here. Then toss the chicken with buffalo sauce, sliced celery, green onions, and diced red bell pepper. If you want that creamy touch, stir in ranch dressing here. Don’t skip tasting as you go; it helps balance the heat and tang just right.
Step 3: Combine and Stuff
Once your squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to fluff the strands and mix them gently into your buffalo chicken. Scoop that filling back into the squash shells—it makes for a beautiful presentation and keeps everything cozy while you finish baking.
Step 4: Bake to Melt and Marry Flavors
Pop the stuffed halves into the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes. This finishes melding the flavors and warms the dish through. If you’re using blue cheese, sprinkle it on top before this bake so it gets delightfully melty and slightly golden.
Top Tip
From my experience, handling the spaghetti squash with care and seasoning the chicken mixture well are game-changers for this recipe. Here are some insights I’ve picked up along the way to help you nail it every time.
- Roasting Tip: Roast the squash face-down; it steams the flesh perfectly for that tender, noodle-like texture.
- Shredding Chicken: Cool the chicken before shredding so it doesn’t get mushy and you maintain a nice texture in the final dish.
- Sauce Balance: Taste the buffalo chicken mixture before stuffing—adding a splash of ranch if it’s too spicy really rounds out the flavors.
- Don’t Overbake: The final bake is just to meld and warm up the filling; keep it short to avoid drying out the chicken.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe
Garnishes
I love adding a sprinkle of extra blue cheese crumbs and chopped fresh parsley on top—that pop of color and flavor really elevates the dish. Sometimes a drizzle of ranch or a few celery sticks on the side completes the buffalo experience just right.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with simple sides like a crisp garden salad, roasted cauliflower, or even some crunchy carrot sticks to keep things light and fresh alongside the bold buffalo flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For special get-togethers, I’ve hollowed out small spaghetti squash halves and baked the filling inside them individually — it looks lovely on a plate and makes serving easy. Adding a side of blue cheese or ranch dipping sauce in mini bowls looks great too and lets guests customize each bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it an excellent next-day lunch or quick dinner.
Freezing
I sometimes freeze this dish by wrapping the stuffed squash halves tightly in foil and then placing them in a freezer-safe container. It freezes well for about 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes or until warmed through. This method keeps the squash tender and prevents the chicken from drying out like microwaving sometimes does.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Using cooked frozen chicken is a great shortcut. Just make sure it’s fully thawed before shredding and mixing with the buffalo sauce.
The spice level depends on the buffalo sauce you use. If you prefer mild, pick a low-heat buffalo sauce or balance it with extra ranch dressing. You can always adjust the spice to suit your taste.
Yes! Simply omit the blue cheese and use a dairy-free ranch dressing or avocado-based dressing to keep things creamy and buffalo-flavored without dairy.
Roasting the spaghetti squash face down on a baking sheet at 400°F until tender is my go-to method—it’s simple and results in perfectly separated strands. You can also microwave it for a quicker option but roasting enhances flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen for its perfect balance of comfort and wholesomeness. It’s straightforward enough for weeknights but impressive enough to serve guests. Give it a try—you’ll find it’s one of those dishes that brings everyone back for seconds, and I guarantee it’ll become a fast favorite in your home too.
Print
Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A flavorful and nutritious Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash recipe that combines tender shredded chicken with spicy buffalo sauce, fresh vegetables, and optional creamy ranch and blue cheese. This dish is a perfect low-carb, protein-packed meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 ¼ lbs chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- 1 medium spaghetti squash, halved (about 2- 2 ½ lbs)
Vegetables and Add-ins
- 2 ribs celery, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, white and green parts thinly sliced
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
Sauces and Toppings
- ½ cup purchased buffalo sauce or use our Homemade Buffalo Sauce
- ¼ cup creamy ranch dressing or use our Homemade Paleo Ranch Dressing (optional)
- ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Spaghetti Squash: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Carefully cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Place the halves cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast for 40-45 minutes, or until the squash strands are tender when scraped with a fork.
- Cook and Shred Chicken: While the squash is roasting, cook the chicken breasts by boiling, baking, or pan-cooking until fully cooked. Once cooled, shred the chicken using two forks.
- Mix Filling Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, celery, green onions, and diced red bell pepper. Stir well to evenly coat the chicken with sauce and distribute the vegetables.
- Scoop Squash and Combine: When the spaghetti squash is done roasting, use a fork to scrape the flesh into strands inside a large bowl or directly into the skillet. Add the chicken mixture to the squash and gently toss to combine everything thoroughly.
- Add Optional Toppings: Stir in the creamy ranch dressing if using, or drizzle it on top after serving. Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over the stuffed squash halves or mix it in as desired.
- Serve: Spoon the buffalo chicken-stuffed spaghetti squash onto plates and serve warm as a satisfying main course.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add extra buffalo sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken to save time.
- This dish can be made dairy-free by omitting the ranch dressing and blue cheese or substituting with dairy-free alternatives.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼th of the recipe
- Calories: 308 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 582 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
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