BUFFALO CHICKEN LASAGNA

BUFFALO CHICKEN LASAGNA

Barilla ready to bake lasagna noodles
1 tablespoon avocado oil
3/4 pound ground chicken
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small carrot, grated
1 small stalk celery, diced
1 can ROTEL original tomatoes, drained VERY WELL
2 tablespoons chicken broth
3/4 cup Frank’s original Hot Sauce
8 ounces ricotta cheese
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
3/4 cup bleu cheese crumbles
3/4 cup grated jack cheese
1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
1 small egg, beaten

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray a 9×9 deep baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • In a large skillet heat avocado oil over medium high heat.
  • Add chicken, onion, carrot and celery, stirring until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are soft.
  • Add garlic and cook a minute more until fragrant.
  • Stir in tomatoes, hot sauce, chicken broth, salt and pepper.
  • Reduce heat to low simmer, cover and cook 45 minutes.

 

  • In a mixing bowl stir together the ricotta cheese and egg until smooth and well blended.
  • Add parsley and bleu cheese mixing until well blended.

 

  • Toss together the jack, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.

ASSEMBLY

  • Add 1/3 of chicken mixture to baking dish.
  • Top with a layer of lasagna noodles.
  • Add a thin layer of chicken mixture.
  • Top with a layer of the ricotta mixture.
  • Top with a layer of the cheeses.
  • Repeat layers 2 more times.
  • Cover and bake 20 minutes.
  • Uncover, bake another 20-25 minutes until bubbly and cheese is golden.
  • Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

BUFFALO CHICKEN MEATLOAF

I saw this on Damaris Phillip’s show, Southern at Heart and fell in love almost immediately! I made just a few alterations to fit with what I had on hand, but we love it and have had it several times, several ways since.

BUFFALO CHICKEN MEATLOAF

TOTAL TIME: 1 hr 25 min          COOK TIME: 1 hour          PREP TIME: 25 min

SAUCE
1/3 cup ketchup**
1 tablespoon hot sauce

  • Whisk together the ketchup and hot sauce in a small bowl and set aside.

MEATLOAF
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup diced celery (2-3 stalks) + leaves reserved for garnish
1 cup small diced onion or shallot
3 tablespoons Frank’s original hot sauce
1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
1 cup blue cheese crumbles (GORGONZOLA works well too as does sharp cheddar)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons FRESH coarse ground black pepper
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan

  • Preheat the oven to 350°.
  • Grease a 9 X 5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat and saute the celery and onion until softened, 3- 5 minutes.
  • Transfer the mixture, plus the drippings, to a large bowl.
  • Add the hot sauce to the bowl and stir to combine.
  • Add the chicken, blue cheese, salt, pepper, eggs and 1 1/2 cups of the panko and mix until well combined.
  • Press the mixture into the prepared loaf pan, pressing more in the center of the loaf to create a divot. This will allow the meatloaf to bake evenly and not create a mound after it is baked.
  • Spread half of the sauce over the top of the meatloaf.
  • Mix the Parmesan with the Panko and sprinkle the mixture on top of the sauce.
  • Bake until the center is set and the top is golden brown, 45 minutes to an hour.
  • Let rest 10-15 minutes before cutting to serve.
  • Garnish the meatloaf slices with remaining heated sauce and chopped celery leaves.

**NOTE: Use jalapeno ketchup if you want a bit more spice.