This Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash is a high-protein, nutrient-rich recipe that’s loaded with those buffalo flavors you crave. Tender, juicy chicken combines with fresh veggies and tangy buffalo sauce in this healthful weeknight dinner that puts a new spin on buffalo chicken.
Recipe Highlights: Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash
- It’s a healthful and flavorful dinner made from a short list of nutritious ingredients
- Naturally gluten-, grain-, and nut-free, this stuffed spaghetti squash recipe can be easily modified to be dairy-free, Paleo, and Whole30, too
- Have this dinner on the table in 1 hour with just 15 minutes of prep time
- Leftovers keep well, meaning you can make extra and enjoy it throughout the week
Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Is So Good & Good For You
This stuffed spaghetti squash recipe was inspired by our wildly popular Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken, which has been loved by thousands of you. Featuring the same bold buffalo flavor, this buffalo chicken spaghetti squash has a unique balance of tastes and textures we know you’re going to love. Full of protein from healthful chicken and full of flavor from the spicy buffalo sauce.
It’s crisp and crunchy thanks to the veggies, cool and creamy with a drizzle of Ranch Dressing and a sprinkle of blue cheese, and warm and tender when served in a spaghetti squash boat. Plus, it’s jam-packed with fiber, protein, and nutrients to keep you satisfied for hours. Truly, dinner doesn’t get better than this! This buffalo chicken spaghetti squash is one recipe you’ll find yourself making again and again.
Ingredients To Make Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with Buffalo Sauce
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this flavor-loaded spaghetti squash recipe.
- Chicken breast – you’ll need already cooked chicken that is shredded or chopped. You could use chicken thighs or roasted turkey, too. To cook the chicken, we recommend our no-fail stovetop recipe for perfect chicken breasts or Instant Pot Shredded Chicken. Or, save time and use meat from a rotisserie chicken
- Spaghetti squash – grab a medium-sized (about 2- 2 ½-pounds) spaghetti squash. For a step-by-step tutorial on how to cut spaghetti squash, see this post
- Celery – you can also use chopped shallots, leeks, or carrots in place of the celery
- Green onions – you’ll use both the white and green parts of the green onions
- Red bell pepper – feel free to substitute an orange or yellow bell pepper
- Buffalo sauce – use your favorite buffalo sauce (we love Primal Kitchen No-Dairy Buffalo Sauce), or make your own using our easy Homemade Buffalo Sauce recipe
- Ranch dressing – use any brand of your favorite ranch dressing or make our Homemade Paleo Ranch Dressing.
- Crumbled blue cheese – blue cheese is the perfect, creamy topping for this dish. Omit for dairy-free or Whole30 diets
Find the ingredient list with exact measurements in the recipe card below.
Ingredient Spotlight: Spaghetti Squash
With recipes like this Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash, Pizza-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash, and our Dairy-Free Spaghetti Squash Chicken Alfredo, it’s pretty obvious that we’re big fans of this fruit. (Yes, it’s a fruit!) Not only is it delicious, but it’s also:
- a good source of pantothenic acid (a type of B vitamin), necessary for synthesizing cholesterol
- high in vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese, and niacin, nutrients important for heart health
- naturally gluten- and grain-free, and a low-carb alternative to pasta
- versatile and a delicious way to get more fiber
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
- Cook the spaghetti squash: Slice both ends off your squash, and roast it in the oven until it is fork tender. Check out this post for our best tips and tricks to make the process a breeze.
- Prepare the chicken: While the spaghetti squash is cooking, prepare your chicken using either our Instant Pot method or in a skillet on the stovetop. Let it cool slightly. Then, use two forks to shred it into pieces.
- Assemble the stuffed spaghetti squash boats: Combine the squash shreds, chicken, veggies, and buffalo sauce in a bowl. Then, spoon the mixture back into the squash shells, and place them in the oven until they are heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Top your buffalo chicken spaghetti squash with extra Ranch and a sprinkle of Blue cheese, and serve warm!
For the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below. All of our recipes include the nutrition analysis, listing calories, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, sodium, and more per serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
When transferred to an airtight container, the leftover spaghetti squash filling will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Yes, allow the filling to cool completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container or sealable bag, and store it in the freezer (without the spaghetti squash bowls) for up to 3 months.
The spaghetti squash mixture can be reheated in a glass microwave-safe dish or in a pan on the stovetop. Leftovers are delicious as is and also taste great over salad greens or in a sandwich wrap.
Yes, with 10 grams of carbs in every 1 cup serving, spaghetti squash is considered a low-carb food.
Love Buffalo Sauce? Then try these recipes
We love that buffalo flavor here at The Real Food Dietitians. Here are some other fan-favorite recipes that employ the spicy-savory sauce in delicious ways.
When to Make This Spaghetti Squash Recipe
We’re particularly fond of this buffalo chicken stuffed spaghetti squash as a meal prep recipe. Prepare it over the weekend, portion the squash filling into containers, and you’ll have easy meal-prepped meals you can reheat in minutes throughout the week. Enjoy leftovers on their own. Or, serve them over a bed of salad greens or in a sandwich wrap for meals you’ll definitely look forward to eating.
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Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
The most delicious way to enjoy spaghetti squash, our Buffalo Chicken-Stuffed Squash is easy to make and always hits the spot. A filling, tasty, and nutritious dish that will soon become a family favorite in your home.
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
To roast the squash:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Slice both ends from squash and discard. Stand squash up on one of its cut ends and use a large knife to cut the squash in half lengthwise. Scoop seeds and stringy insides out using a large spoon. Place squash cut-side down on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until squash is tender. Baking time will depend on the size of your squash (larger squash requiring a longer cook time). When squash is tender, allow to it cool slightly before using a fork to gently scrape the squash flesh into a large bowl. Reserve the squash shells.
- While squash is roasting, cook the chicken.
To cook the chicken:
- Directions for Instant Pot: Insert the rack into the inner pot. Add 1 cup water or broth. Lay the chicken on the rack. Secure lid and select ‘Poultry’ setting and increase time to 17 minutes (19 minutes if the breasts are really thick). At the end of the cooking time, allow pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes then flip the vent valve and release any remaining pressure. Move chicken to a cutting board to cool slightly before shredding with two forks.
- Directions for Stovetop: Place a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon avocado oil, olive oil, or coconut oil and swirl the pan to coat with the oil. Add chicken and ½ cup water. Once the water begins to simmer, reduce heat and cover. Cook chicken for 15-18 minutes or until cooked through. Move chicken to a cutting board to cool slightly before shredding with two forks.
To assemble the stuffed squash:
- In a large bowl, place squash shreds, shredded chicken, celery, green onions, bell pepper, and buffalo sauce. Toss until well mixed and coated. Spoon the squash-chicken mixture into the reserved squash shells. Place the stuffed shells on the baking sheet and bake in 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Serve drizzled with ranch dressing and top with crumbled blue cheese, if desired.
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Nutrition Information
- Serving Size: 1/4th of the recipe
- Calories: 308
- Fat: 14 g
- (Sat Fat: 3 g)
- Sodium: 582 mg
- Carbohydrate: 13 g
- (Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 6 g)
- Protein: 36 g
Dietary
Photo Credit: The photos in this blog post were taken by Jess of Plays Well with Butter.
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Amanda says
Have made this many times, at home for family and friends as well as at my fire station for crew mates; it’s always a hit.
Stacie Hassing says
Awesome Amanda!
Sarah says
Very yummy and healthy!
Stacie Hassing says
We appreciate the feedback and 5-star review Sarah!