Nothing beats the zingy, comforting blend of spicy Buffalo chicken with the naturally sweet, tender strands of spaghetti squash. This Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe is one of those dishes that feels indulgent yet wholesome, perfect for a cozy dinner that packs serious flavor.
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 Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe countless times, and every time it hits that perfect balance between spicy, creamy, and fresh. It’s a dish that feels special but comes together with surprisingly little fuss, making it a keeper in my cookbook.
- Flavor Explosion: The buffalo sauce brings a tangy heat that pairs beautifully with the mild sweetness of spaghetti squash.
- Healthy Comfort Food: You get protein from the chicken and fiber from the squash, so it’s filling without being heavy.
- Simple to Customize: Whether you want it extra cheesy or dairy-free, you can tweak the toppings easily.
- Great Make-Ahead Option: It reheats well and is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here plays a role in building the dish’s layers of flavor and texture—from the protein-packed chicken to crunchy veggies that add freshness and color. When shopping, look for a firm spaghetti squash and quality buffalo sauce that suits your heat preference.
- Chicken breast: Cooking it beforehand and shredding gives you tender, juicy bites throughout the dish.
- Spaghetti squash: The star veggie, its stringy flesh makes a fantastic low-carb pasta alternative.
- Celery: Adds a crisp freshness to cut through the richness.
- Green onions: Provide mild sharpness and a nice color contrast.
- Red bell pepper: Sweetness and extra crunch make the dish vibrant.
- Buffalo sauce: The bold spicy element that ties it all together.
- Ranch dressing (optional): Creamy coolness to balance the heat if you like it milder.
- Blue cheese crumbles (optional): For true buffalo flavor lovers, adds tangy richness.
Make It Your Way
This Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe is super adaptable. I often swap in vegan buffalo sauce and use shredded jackfruit or tofu for a plant-based twist, and it still nails that spicy-savory vibe.
- Variation: For a heartier meal, I sometimes add cooked quinoa or black beans into the filling for extra texture and protein.
- Dairy-free: Skip the ranch and blue cheese or use dairy-free alternatives—avocado crema also works beautifully for a cool finish.
- Mild version: Use less buffalo sauce and more ranch dressing to keep the heat low but maintain flavor.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Spaghetti Squash to Stringy Perfection
I cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise—watch out for that tough skin! Then scoop out the seeds. I like brushing the flesh with a touch of olive oil and sprinkling a pinch of salt before roasting it face down on a baking sheet at 400°F (around 200°C) for about 40 minutes. When it’s done, you can easily scrape the strands out with a fork—it’s like magic how they separate!
Step 2: Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Filling
While the squash roasts, I shred the cooked chicken and toss it with buffalo sauce, celery, green onions, and red bell pepper. If you want creaminess, stir in ranch dressing and some blue cheese crumbles here. Mixing it all while the squash is still warm helps the flavors meld beautifully.
Step 3: Stuff, Bake, and Serve
Scoop most of the squash strands out, leaving a bit clinging to the edges for structure. Then fill each half generously with the buffalo chicken mixture. I pop them back into the oven for about 10 minutes just to warm everything and let the flavors come together even more. The cheese melts slightly, adding a lovely richness.
Step 4: Garnish and Enjoy!
Before digging in, I sprinkle extra green onions or more blue cheese on top. Maybe even a drizzle of ranch if I’m feeling extra creamy. Then it’s ready for the table—flavorful, comforting, and just a little bit spicy.
Top Tip
From my experience making this Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe, a few simple tricks can really elevate the outcome:
- Roast squash face down: This steams the inside gently, making the spaghetti strands tender but not mushy.
- Don’t over-sauce the chicken: It’s tempting to drown it in buffalo sauce, but keeping it balanced avoids sogginess.
- Use fresh chopped veggies: Celery and bell pepper add vital crunch that contrasts nicely with the soft squash and chicken.
- Warm it through fully: Giving the stuffed squash a final 10-minute bake melds flavors and melts cheese perfectly.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping my stuffed squash with a handful of sliced green onions and a few blue cheese crumbles. If I’m feeling extra fancy, a drizzle of ranch dressing adds a creamy touch that balances the heat perfectly.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with a fresh side salad or crunchy roasted Brussels sprouts. Sometimes I serve it alongside celery sticks dipped in ranch for that classic Buffalo flavor combo.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive dinner, I’ve filled mini spaghetti squash halves for individual servings. It makes the meal feel special and looks stunning on the table, especially when garnished with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, so sometimes the next day it tastes even better!
Freezing
Freezing this Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe works if you want to meal prep. I freeze it in single portions and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Just keep in mind the texture of cooked squash changes slightly after freezing but still tastes delicious.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer warming it in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes so it heats evenly and keeps that slight crispness on top. Microwaving works in a pinch but sometimes makes it a bit soggier.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut that saves time without sacrificing flavor.
No worries! You can omit blue cheese or substitute with shredded cheddar or mozzarella for a milder, gooey texture.
The heat level depends on your buffalo sauce choice; mild versions are tasty without overwhelming, while hotter sauces will bring a real kick—adjust to your preference!
Yes! Simply skip the ranch and blue cheese or swap them out with dairy-free versions, and you’ll still have a delicious buffalo flavor profile.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe has become one of those dishes I’m excited to come back to again and again. It’s cozy and zesty, healthy but also indulgent, and so easy to make that it fits perfectly into busy weeknights or casual weekend dinners. I really hope you enjoy making (and eating!) it as much as I do. Honestly, once you try it, it might just become your new favorite way to enjoy Buffalo chicken.
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 Salt
Description
A flavorful and nutritious Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash recipe featuring tender shredded chicken mixed with spicy buffalo sauce, fresh vegetables, and optional creamy ranch and blue cheese, all served inside roasted spaghetti squash halves. This dish offers a healthy twist on classic buffalo chicken flavors and makes a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 ¼ lbs chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- 1 medium spaghetti squash, halved (about 2-2 ½ lbs.)
- 2 ribs celery, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, white and green parts thinly sliced
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- 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 your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Place the halves cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast for 40-45 minutes until tender and easily shredded with a fork.
- Cook and Shred the Chicken: While the squash is roasting, cook the chicken breasts by boiling or baking until fully cooked, then shred the meat finely using two forks. You can use pre-cooked chicken for convenience.
- Mix the Buffalo Chicken Filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce, diced celery, green onions, red bell pepper, and ranch dressing if using. Stir well to blend all ingredients thoroughly.
- Scoop and Fluff Spaghetti Squash: Once the squash is roasted and cool enough to handle, use a fork to scrape the flesh into strands while still inside the rind, creating a spaghetti-like texture. Leave some flesh attached to the skin to hold the shape.
- Assemble the Stuffed Squash: Fold the buffalo chicken mixture into the spaghetti squash strands until fully combined. Spoon the mixture back into the squash shells evenly.
- Add Blue Cheese Optional Topping: Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese on top of each stuffed squash half if desired for an extra tangy flavor.
- Final Heating: Return the stuffed squashes to the oven and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes to warm through and melt the blue cheese slightly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from oven, let cool slightly, and serve warm as a hearty and flavorful main dish perfect for lunch or dinner.
Notes
- This recipe is versatile; you can adjust the buffalo sauce amount to control the heat level to your liking.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the ranch dressing and blue cheese or use vegan alternatives.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time on preparation.
- Roasting the squash cut-side down helps the flesh steam and become tender evenly.
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
Leave a Reply