Description

When you’re craving serious flavor—but need something fast, easy, and meal-prep friendly—this Buffalo Ranch Chicken & Cauliflower shows up like a weeknight superhero. Juicy roasted chicken, caramelized cauliflower, tossed in fiery buffalo sauce and finished with a cool ranch drizzle—it’s spicy, creamy, satisfying, and shockingly simple.

Ingredients

Scale

Main

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt & freshly ground black pepper

Sauce & Finish

½ cup buffalo wing sauce (Frank’s RedHot recommended)
Ranch dressing, for drizzling

Optional Toppings

Chopped green onions
Crumbled blue cheese or feta

Ingredient Notes & Smart Swaps

Chicken thighs stay juicier and reheat better; breasts work great if not overcooked
Use the cauliflower core—peel and chop it to reduce waste
Mild heat option: Choose mild buffalo sauce or stir in 1 tsp melted butter or honey
No ranch? Plain Greek yogurt works in a pinch

Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment or foil.

Cut chicken and cauliflower into uniform, bite-sized pieces. Place them in separate bowls.

2. Season Generously

Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil over the chicken and 1 tbsp over the cauliflower.
Season both generously with salt and pepper. Toss well.

Why separate bowls? Cauliflower needs more seasoning than chicken—this step makes a huge difference.

3. Roast to Golden Perfection

Spread everything out on the baking sheet in a single layer with space between pieces.

Roast for 12 minutes, remove pan, toss everything well, then return to oven for 10–13 minutes, until:

Chicken is fully cooked (165°F / 74°C)
Cauliflower is tender with browned, crispy edges

4. Toss with Buffalo Sauce

Remove pan from oven and immediately pour buffalo sauce over the hot chicken and cauliflower.

Toss gently until evenly coated. The heat helps the sauce cling and slightly caramelize.

5. Serve or Store (Important Ranch Rule!)

Serving now: Plate it up, drizzle with ranch, and add toppings
Meal prep: Let cool slightly, divide into containers without ranch

Notes

Honey Sriracha: ⅓ cup sriracha + 3 tbsp honey
Vegetarian: Swap chicken for drained, dry chickpeas
Extra Cheesy: Toss with blue cheese while hot
Everything Bagel Boost: Add 1 tsp Everything seasoning to cauliflower