BUFFALO RANCH STUFFED CHICKEN EASY

Crave that spicy, tangy, creamy kick of buffalo wings but want a complete meal? Look no further than this Buffalo Ranch Stuffed Chicken! Imagine biting into a juicy chicken breast oozing with a creamy, flavorful filling of buffalo sauce and ranch dressing – it’s the comfort food you’ve been dreaming of, and I promise it’s easier to make than you think!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Buffalo Ranch Filling:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce (adjust to your spice preference!)
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (optional)

Optional Toppings:

• Crumbled blue cheese
• Extra ranch dressing
• Extra buffalo sauce
• Chopped green onions

Gather Your Gear

Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s make sure you have everything you need at your fingertips. It’s like prepping your workbench before starting a project – makes everything smoother!

• A sharp knife for butterflying the chicken.
• A cutting board.
• A mixing bowl for the creamy filling.
• A baking dish (9×13 inch is perfect).
• Measuring cups and spoons.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Get Started: Prep the Chicken

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps them get a nice sear later.
3. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice horizontally through each chicken breast, almost all the way through, to create a pocket. Think of it like butterflying a book. Be careful not to cut all the way through!
4. Season the inside and outside of each chicken breast with salt and pepper.

Mix Up the Magic: Make the Buffalo Ranch Filling

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, and buffalo wing sauce.
2. Stir until smooth and well combined.
3. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and green onions (if using).

Stuff It: Fill the Chicken Breasts

1. Spoon the buffalo ranch filling evenly into the pocket of each chicken breast. Don’t overstuff them, or the filling might ooze out during baking (although, honestly, even if it does, it’s still delicious!).

Sear and Bake: Cook to Perfection

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Carefully sear the stuffed chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side, until lightly browned. This adds a lot of flavor!
3. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven (if your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer the chicken to the baking dish).
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to be sure!

Serve It Up: Time to Enjoy!

1. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken.
2. Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as crumbled blue cheese, extra ranch dressing, extra buffalo sauce, or chopped green onions.

Tips and Tricks for Stuffed Chicken Success

Want to make sure your Buffalo Ranch Stuffed Chicken is a home run? Here are a few extra tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way.

Spice It Up (or Tone It Down)

The beauty of this recipe is that you can easily customize the spice level. If you like things extra hot, use a hotter buffalo wing sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling. If you prefer a milder flavor, use a milder buffalo sauce or reduce the amount.

Preventing Filling Leakage

Nobody likes a leaky chicken! While a little filling escaping isn’t the end of the world, here are a couple of ways to minimize it:

• Don’t overstuff the chicken breasts.
• Use toothpicks to secure the opening of the chicken breast. Just remember to remove them before serving!
• Sear the chicken well on both sides before baking. This helps to seal in the filling.

Make-Ahead Magic

Short on time? You can assemble the stuffed chicken breasts ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Serving Suggestions: Complete the Meal!

Buffalo Ranch Stuffed Chicken is delicious on its own, but it’s even better when paired with some tasty side dishes. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Roasted vegetables (broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts)
• Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes
• A simple salad
• Rice or quinoa

Variations: Remix Your Chicken!

Feeling adventurous? Here are a few ideas to put a spin on this Buffalo Ranch Stuffed Chicken recipe.

• Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Chicken: Mix diced jalapeños and crispy bacon into the cream cheese filling for a spicy and cheesy kick.
• Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Chicken: Add chopped spinach and artichoke hearts to the filling for a healthier and more flavorful twist.
• Pizza Stuffed Chicken: Combine marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni in the filling for a pizza-inspired dish.

Other Delicious Chicken Creations

If you’re loving chicken recipes, you absolutely HAVE to check out some of my other favorites. For a comforting and creamy pasta dish, the Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Or, for something warm and hearty on a chilly evening, try my White Chicken Chili – it’s packed with flavor! If you are looking for a great weeknight meal, my Chicken Casserole is a comforting and easy option. And if you’re a mushroom lover, you can’t miss my Garlic Butter Mushroom Chicken recipe. Finally, if you’re craving something rich and flavorful, my Butter Chicken is an absolute must-try. I also have a great Broccoli Cheddar Chicken recipe you may like!

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe isn’t just delicious, it’s also incredibly practical for a few key reasons:

• Simple Ingredients: You likely already have many of these ingredients in your pantry and fridge, making it easy to whip up on a whim.
• Quick to Prepare: From start to finish, this recipe takes about an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
• Customizable: As mentioned earlier, you can easily adjust the spice level and add your favorite ingredients to create a dish that’s perfectly tailored to your taste.
• Impressive Presentation: Stuffed chicken breasts look elegant and impressive, making them a great option for entertaining guests.

Time to Get Cooking!

So there you have it – everything you need to create mouthwatering Buffalo Ranch Stuffed Chicken. Don’t be intimidated by the “stuffed” part; it’s really quite simple! Gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and get ready to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal. You’ve got this!

Buffalo Ranch Stuffed Chicken Easy

Enjoy the spicy and creamy flavors of buffalo wings in a satisfying and complete meal with this Buffalo Ranch Stuffed Chicken. Juicy chicken breasts are filled with a flavorful mixture of buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and cheese, creating a comforting and easy-to-make dish perfect for any night of the week.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions optional
• Crumbled blue cheese optional
• Extra ranch dressing optional
• Extra buffalo sauce optional

Equipment

• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Mixing bowl
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Large Skillet (oven-safe preferred)
• Meat thermometer
• Paper towels

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
3. Slice horizontally through each chicken breast, almost all the way through, to create a pocket.
4. Season the inside and outside of each chicken breast with salt and pepper.
5. In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, and buffalo wing sauce.
6. Stir until smooth and well combined.
7. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and green onions (if using).
8. Spoon the buffalo ranch filling evenly into the pocket of each chicken breast.
9. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
10. Carefully sear the stuffed chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side, until lightly browned.
11. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven (if your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer the chicken to the baking dish).
12. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to be sure!
13. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
14. Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as crumbled blue cheese, extra ranch dressing, extra buffalo sauce, or chopped green onions.

Notes

Customize the spice level by using a hotter or milder buffalo wing sauce or adding a pinch of cayenne pepper. To prevent filling leakage, don’t overstuff the chicken, use toothpicks to secure the opening, and sear the chicken well on both sides. Assemble the stuffed chicken breasts ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. Serve with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, salad, rice, or quinoa.