Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe delivers all the tangy, spicy goodness of buffalo chicken while keeping things lighter and wholesome. The spaghetti squash creates a naturally tender, noodle-like base that soaks up the rich buffalo sauce beautifully.
It’s perfect for meal prep, easy weeknight dinners, or when you’re craving comfort food without feeling weighed down. You can easily adjust the spice level and toppings to make it your own.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
spaghetti squash
cooked shredded chicken
buffalo sauce
cream cheese, softened
Greek yogurt or ranch dressing
garlic powder
onion powder
salt
black pepper
shredded mozzarella cheese
crumbled blue cheese
chopped green onions
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Carefully slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
- Drizzle the cut sides with a little oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Place cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast for 35–45 minutes, until the flesh is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- While the squash is roasting, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, Greek yogurt or ranch dressing, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Once the squash is done, use a fork to scrape the flesh into spaghetti-like strands.
- Stir the buffalo chicken mixture into the squash strands, mixing until evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture back into the squash shells or into a baking dish.
- Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and crumbled blue cheese.
- Return to the oven and bake for 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and serve warm.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves approximately 4 people.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45–60 minutes
Total time: about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes
Variations
Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
Swap blue cheese for extra mozzarella or cheddar if you prefer a milder flavor.
Add diced celery for a classic buffalo wing crunch.
For extra heat, add a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes.
Make it dairy-free by using dairy-free cream cheese and shredded cheese alternatives.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To freeze, transfer to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 2 months. Note that the texture of the squash may soften slightly after thawing.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave individual portions in short intervals, stirring between each.
FAQs
Can I cook the spaghetti squash in the microwave?
Yes, you can microwave it for 10–15 minutes, turning halfway through, until tender.
How do I know when spaghetti squash is done?
It should be easily pierced with a fork and separate into strands without resistance.
Can I use canned chicken?
Yes, drained canned chicken can be used, though freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken offers better flavor and texture.
Is this recipe very spicy?
The spice level depends on the buffalo sauce you use. You can adjust the amount to suit your preference.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the mixture ahead of time and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.
What can I serve with this dish?
A simple green salad or roasted vegetables pair nicely with the bold flavors.
Can I make this low-fat?
Use reduced-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt to lighten it up.
Why is my spaghetti squash watery?
Overcooking or not draining excess moisture after roasting can make it watery. Let it sit for a few minutes and drain before mixing.
Can I use another type of squash?
Spaghetti squash works best because of its noodle-like strands, but you could experiment with zucchini noodles.
How do I prevent the squash from being mushy?
Avoid overbaking and roast just until tender. Slight firmness helps maintain better texture.
Conclusion
Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash is a bold, satisfying dish that combines spicy buffalo flavor with a lighter, veggie-based twist. Easy to customize and perfect for meal prep, this recipe brings comfort food flavor to your table in a wholesome and delicious way.
PrintBuffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash
Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash is a flavorful, lighter twist on classic buffalo chicken dishes. Tender roasted spaghetti squash strands are tossed with shredded chicken and spicy buffalo sauce, then topped with melted cheese for a satisfying low-carb meal packed with bold flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 medium spaghetti squash (about 3 pounds)
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or ranch dressing
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Carefully slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
- Drizzle the cut sides with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Place cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast for 35–45 minutes, until the flesh is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- While the squash is roasting, combine shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, Greek yogurt or ranch dressing, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Once the squash is done, use a fork to scrape the flesh into spaghetti-like strands.
- Stir the buffalo chicken mixture into the squash strands until evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture back into the squash shells or into a baking dish.
- Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and crumbled blue cheese.
- Return to the oven and bake for 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and serve warm.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
- Swap blue cheese for extra mozzarella or cheddar for a milder flavor.
- Add diced celery for extra crunch.
- For more heat, add additional hot sauce or red pepper flakes.
- To prevent watery squash, avoid overbaking and drain excess moisture before mixing.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg