Description
This Easy Buffalo Chicken Salad is a spicy, creamy, and crunchy dish made with shredded chicken tossed in Buffalo sauce, crisp veggies, and a tangy dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch, meal prep, or game-day favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Buffalo Chicken:
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie or poached)
- ¼ cup Buffalo sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (optional, for a richer flavor)
For the Salad:
- 4 cups chopped romaine or mixed greens
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup diced celery
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese (or feta for a milder option)
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
- 1 tablespoon Buffalo sauce (optional for extra spice)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (for brightness)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Buffalo Chicken:
- In a bowl, combine shredded chicken with Buffalo sauce and melted butter (if using). Stir until fully coated.
-
Assemble the Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine romaine, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, celery, and red onion.
-
Make the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together ranch or blue cheese dressing, Buffalo sauce, and lemon juice.
-
Combine and Serve:
- Add the Buffalo chicken to the salad and toss gently.
- Drizzle dressing over the top and mix until evenly coated.
- Sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese and serve immediately.
Notes
- Lower-Calorie Option: Use Greek yogurt mixed with ranch seasoning for a lighter dressing.
- More Protein: Add hard-boiled eggs or chickpeas.
- Wrap It Up: Serve in a tortilla for a Buffalo chicken wrap.
- Crunch Factor: Top with crushed tortilla chips or roasted chickpeas.
- Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free dressing and omit the cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Lunch, Main Course
- Method: no cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Buffalo chicken salad, spicy chicken salad, easy salad recipe, healthy chicken salad, meal prep salad