Name: Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Creamy Béchamel Recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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; 2 cups ricotta cheese; 1 cup buffalo sauce; 1 cup cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup green onion, sliced; 4 cups whole milk; 1/4 cup flour; 1/4 cup butter; 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup blue cheese

If you love a little heat paired with rich, creamy comfort food, then this Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Creamy Béchamel Recipe will quickly become one of your favorites. It’s a spicy, cheesy twist on the classic Italian dish that’s perfect for game day or any weeknight when you want something both familiar and exciting.

A serving of lasagna is being lifted from a white baking dish by a spoon held with a woman's hand, showing multiple layers: a browned and slightly crispy cheese top layer, a thick creamy white sauce layer beneath it, followed by a dense, orange-colored sauce with small chunks mixed through, then another layer of creamy white sauce with pasta sheets visible in between; small pieces of green onion garnish are on top of the cheese layer. The dish rests on a white marbled surface, with a white plate partially visible nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Creamy Béchamel Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Creamy Béchamel Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Creamy Béchamel Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna feels like the ultimate comfort food mashup. I love how the spicy buffalo chicken packs a flavorful punch, while the creamy béchamel sauce softens the heat and makes every bite silky smooth. It’s the kind of dish that has everyone asking for seconds and secretly planning leftovers.

Bold Flavor Combination: The spicy buffalo sauce and tangy blue cheese balance perfectly with creamy ricotta and cheddar, delivering complex flavors in every layer.
Easy Layering: Using pre-breaded chicken strips saves time but still gives great crispy texture once baked.
Crowd-Pleaser: Serving up to 10 means it’s fantastic for family dinners or parties without stress.
Creamy Béchamel Twist: The rich béchamel binds the layers and adds a luscious creaminess you won’t find in your average lasagna.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start, gather your ingredients carefully for the best results. I prefer using frozen breaded chicken strips for convenience and consistent crispiness, but fresh cooked chicken works fine too. Quality cheeses, especially the sharp cheddar and blue cheese for the béchamel, make a big flavor difference here.

Flat lay of frozen breaded chicken strips arranged neatly on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant orange buffalo sauce, several uncooked flat lasagna noodles fanned out on a white ceramic dish, a heap of finely grated mozzarella cheese on a white ceramic plate, thinly sliced bright green onion piled delicately on a white ceramic dish, a mound of creamy ricotta cheese on a white ceramic bowl, a smooth dollop of softened cream cheese on a white ceramic plate, a pat of pale yellow butter resting on a white ceramic dish, a small white ceramic bowl of white all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl filled with whole milk, a generous pile of sharp cheddar cheese shredded finely on a white ceramic plate, several chunks of crumbly blue cheese on a white ceramic plate, two whole uncracked brown eggs placed symmetrically on a white ceramic dish, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Frozen breaded chicken strips: Convenient and crispy after baking, they bring great texture and hold up well layered in the lasagna.
Buffalo sauce: The signature spicy element that ties the whole dish together, with room to adjust heat level to your taste.
Lasagna noodles: I use regular lasagna noodles cooked al dente to ensure they layer perfectly without getting mushy.
Grated mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully on top for that golden, bubbly crust.
Green onion: Adds a fresh bite and color garnish that complements the richness.
Ricotta cheese: The creamy base for the filling, balancing heat with mild richness.
Cream cheese: Softened and blended with ricotta to give the filling extra smoothness.
Whole milk: The foundation for the béchamel sauce, providing richness and body.
Flour: Used to create the roux, thickening the béchamel into a luscious sauce.
Butter: Melts into the roux giving the béchamel its creaminess and depth.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Adds tang and depth to the creamy béchamel, balancing spicy notes.
Blue cheese: A little bite of sharpness that enhances the buffalo flavor beautifully.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Creamy Béchamel Recipe is wonderfully versatile—feel free to tweak it to suit your taste buds or dietary needs. Whether you like it milder, spicier, or want to swap ingredients, there’s plenty of room to customize!

Gluten-Free Variation: For friends or family with gluten sensitivities, swapping regular lasagna noodles with gluten-free ones works beautifully without compromising texture. Just cook according to package directions to keep them al dente.
Less Breaded, More Homemade: If you prefer a less crunchy bite or want to keep it simple from scratch, substitute the frozen breaded chicken strips with plain cooked chicken breast. Toss the chicken with buffalo sauce for that signature kick.
Adjusting the Heat: Not a huge fan of spicy food? Reduce the buffalo sauce amount or swap for a milder wing sauce. On the flip side, add more buffalo sauce or a dash of cayenne to ramp up the heat.
Cheese Options: Love blue cheese’s punch but find it too much sometimes? Try swapping half of it with extra sharp cheddar for a balanced, creamy sauce that still delivers flavor without overwhelming.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Creamy Béchamel Recipe

A square slice of baked casserole sits on a round white plate with ridged edges, showing three main layers: at the bottom is a light orange rice or pasta mix with a soft texture; in the middle is a creamy white sauce with smooth texture; on top is a golden-brown melted cheese layer with some browned spots. Small green onion pieces are scattered on the top golden cheese for color. A silver fork with a bite-sized piece of the casserole rests on the plate, lifting some of the creamy and cheesy layers. The background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Crispy Buffalo Chicken Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Lay out your frozen breaded chicken strips on a sheet tray and bake for about 20 minutes until golden and crispy. This gives the chicken the perfect texture that contrasts beautifully with the creamy layers later. While the chicken crisps up, you can move on to the next steps—making efficient use of time is key!

Step 2: Perfectly Cooked Lasagna Noodles

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your lasagna noodles according to package instructions until they're al dente—firm yet tender to the bite. Once cooked, drain them carefully and transfer to cold water to stop the cooking process. This stops them from sticking and ensures they layer nicely in the pan.

Step 3: Creamy and Spicy Filling Mix

In a mixing bowl, whisk together ricotta cheese, buffalo sauce, and softened cream cheese until you get a smooth, luscious filling. This blend is a perfect balance of creamy richness and spicy tang. Give it a quick taste here and adjust seasoning or buffalo sauce level to your liking. Set this aside—you’ll be layering it shortly.

Step 4: Making the Béchamel Sauce

On medium-high heat, melt ¼ cup butter in a pot. Stir in ¼ cup flour and cook while stirring constantly for about 30 seconds to toast the roux—this develops a subtle nutty flavor. Gradually whisk in 4 cups whole milk, breaking up any lumps, and bring it to a boil. It should thicken enough to coat the back of a spoon. Lower heat, then stir in sharp cheddar and blue cheese until melted and velvety smooth. Season with salt and pepper, and if you notice any lumps, an immersion blender will make it perfectly creamy.

Step 5: Buffalo-Coated Chicken Bites

Once your chicken strips are baked and crispy, chop them into bite-sized pieces. Toss gently with ½ cup buffalo sauce to infuse that spicy kick consistently throughout. This step is where all the bold flavor starts coming together.

Step 6: Layering Your Lasagna

Lightly coat the bottom of a 10x14 inch lasagna pan or a 9x13 casserole dish with extra buffalo sauce—this adds flavor and keeps the noodles from sticking. Lay down the first layer of lasagna noodles in a shingled pattern. Spread half of your ricotta filling evenly over the noodles, followed by half the chopped buffalo chicken. Drizzle a few spoonfuls of béchamel sauce on top to add creaminess. Repeat the layers: noodles, filling, chicken, béchamel, and finish off with a final layer of noodles.

Step 7: Baking to Golden Perfection

Pour the remaining béchamel sauce evenly over the top lasagna layer, then generously sprinkle 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese across the surface. Bake in the oven at 375°F for 40 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to brown beautifully. This 40-minute bake melts everything into lush layers of flavor and texture.

Step 8: Resting and Garnishing

Once your buffalo chicken lasagna comes out of the oven, let it rest for at least 10 minutes. This resting time is crucial—it helps the layers set, making slicing easier and neater. When ready, slice into generous portions and garnish with the remaining sliced green onions for a fresh, crunchy pop of color and flavor. Then, dive in and enjoy your delicious comfort food with a spicy twist!

Top Tip

Mastering the perfect balance of spice, creaminess, and texture is what makes this Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Creamy Béchamel Recipe truly shine. Here are some tried-and-true tips to ensure your lasagna comes out perfectly every time.

Use an Immersion Blender for the Béchamel: I found that blending the béchamel sauce right in the pot smooths out any lumps, creating that silky texture that’s essential to this dish.
Let the Lasagna Rest: Patience pays off! Allowing the lasagna to rest for at least 10 minutes after baking helps it set and makes slicing much cleaner and easier.
Toss Chicken in Buffalo Sauce Thoroughly: Make sure each bite of chicken is fully coated for that perfect spicy kick throughout the layers.
Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Cooking the noodles al dente and rinsing them in cold water stops the cooking process, preventing them from getting mushy during baking.

How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Creamy Béchamel Recipe

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish with the bottom layer made of a smooth, light orange mixture. On top, there are chunks of cooked orange-colored pieces mixed with small green bits, spread evenly across the dish. A creamy, pale white sauce is being poured from a large spoon over the orange pieces, creating wavy lines of sauce across the dish. In the background, there is a clear glass bowl containing the orange mixture with green bits, and a wooden spoon resting inside. The setting is on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For a fresh contrast to the rich, spicy flavors, garnish your lasagna with plenty of thinly sliced green onions. You can also add a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or a few crumbles of blue cheese on top to boost the cheesy tang and make the presentation pop.

Side Dishes

This buffalo chicken lasagna pairs beautifully with cooling sides to balance the heat. Try a simple crisp celery and carrot salad tossed with a light ranch dressing or a classic Caesar salad. For an even heartier meal, roasted garlic bread or a buttery dinner roll are excellent choices to soak up any leftover béchamel sauce.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Creamy Béchamel Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3–4 days, making it perfect for easy meals throughout the week.

Freezing

This lasagna freezes beautifully! To freeze, cover the assembled but unbaked lasagna tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed.

Reheating

Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly. For a quick option, microwave portions covered loosely with a microwave-safe lid or wrap for 2–3 minutes, though the oven method keeps it tasting fresher and crispier.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the buffalo sauce milder?

Absolutely! You can adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to suit your spice preference by using less sauce or mixing it with a bit of melted butter or ranch dressing for a milder flavor.

Can I use fresh chicken instead of frozen breaded strips?

Yes, feel free to substitute plain cooked chicken breast if you prefer less breading or want to prepare everything from scratch. Just bake or sauté the chicken and toss with buffalo sauce before layering.

Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Definitely! Simply swap out the regular lasagna noodles for gluten-free ones, and ensure your buffalo sauce and other ingredients are gluten-free certified.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the entire lasagna and refrigerate it before baking. Just remember to increase the baking time slightly if baking straight from the fridge, and always allow it to rest afterward for best slicing results.

Final Thoughts

This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna with Creamy Béchamel Recipe perfectly marries the bold flavors of buffalo chicken with the comforting creaminess of béchamel and rich cheeses. It’s a dish that brings warmth and a bit of excitement to your dinner table, whether for family gatherings or meal prep. Don’t be afraid to make it your own by adjusting the heat and garnishes—most importantly, enjoy every delicious slice!