Easy Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe
Jazz up your traditional lunch options and go with Buffalo Chicken Salad instead! With its buffalo sauce, ranch, and blue cheese, this recipe not only packs a punch in the taste department but also offers a satisfying crunch with its fresh celery and green onions. Whether you’re craving a hearty sandwich filling or a tasty dip for your next gathering, this buffalo chicken salad hits the spot.
Why you will love making Buffalo Chicken Salad
Here’s why you’ll find it irresistible:
- Quick and Easy: From start to finish, you can have this dish ready in 5 minutes, making it perfect for a quick lunch or a stress-free dinner.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy it stuffed in a croissant, spread over a crunchy cracker, or scooped onto lettuce wraps—it fits a variety of eating occasions.
- Packed with Flavor: The combination of spicy buffalo sauce, tangy blue cheese, and cool ranch dressing creates a balanced and mouthwatering flavor.
- Great for Leftovers: This salad keeps well in the fridge, so you can enjoy fabulous flavors even the next day.
- Customizable: Easy to tweak to your liking, whether you want it spicier or prefer it more creamy, you can make this salad your own every time you prepare it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to make Buffalo Chicken Salad with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Creating this delicious Buffalo Chicken Salad is straightforward and enjoyable. Here’s how to whip up this crowd-pleaser:
Mix the Base
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, sour cream, and ranch dressing. Stir these together until well mixed.
Add Crunch and Flavor
Next, fold in the chopped celery and green onions, then the blue cheese crumbles and garlic powder. These add a nice crunch and a burst of flavor that complements the tangy buffalo sauce.
Serve It Up
Your Buffalo Chicken Salad is now ready to serve. Scoop it onto a soft croissant for a luxurious sandwich, or present it as a dip alongside crackers or French bread slices. Sprinkle some extra blue cheese crumbles and chopped green onions on top for added flavor and presentation.
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
To help you make the best Buffalo Chicken Salad possible, here are some expert tips and useful notes:
- Adjust the Heat: Tailor the spiciness of your buffalo chicken salad by adding more or less buffalo wing sauce. Remember, it’s easier to add more heat than to take it away!
- Chicken: For the best texture and flavor, use freshly cooked chicken breast or thighs. If you’re in a rush, a high-quality rotisserie chicken is an excellent time-saver.
- Creaminess: If you prefer a creamier texture, consider adding a bit more sour cream, mayo, or a dollop of Greek yogurt. This also adds a bit of tang and extra protein.
- Cheese: While blue cheese is traditional with buffalo flavors, don’t hesitate to experiment with different types of cheese like feta or shredded cheddar if blue cheese isn’t your thing.
- Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh dill or chives can brighten up the flavors and add a pop of color.
- Serve Chilled: For the best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Make Ahead: Making it a few hours before serving allows the flavors to come together nicely. Just keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.
How to Store Leftover Buffalo Chicken Salad
Storing your Buffalo Chicken Salad properly ensures you can enjoy its delicious flavor even a few days later. Here’s how to keep it fresh:
- Refrigerate Promptly: To maintain its best quality, store the salad in an airtight container and refrigerate it within two hours of preparation.
- Consume Within 3-4 Days: For the best taste and texture, eat the leftover salad within three to four days.
- Do Not Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for this type of salad, as it can cause the ingredients to become soft and lose their appealing texture when thawed.
Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Keeping your budget in check while whipping up delicious dishes like Buffalo Chicken Salad can be easy with these money-saving tips:
- Make Your Own Buffalo Sauce: Instead of buying pre-made buffalo sauce, mix hot sauce with a little melted butter or margarine for a cost-effective alternative.
- Use Store-Brand Dairy Products: Opt for store-brand sour cream, ranch dressing, and cheese unless name brands are on sale.
- Bulk Buy and Freeze: Ingredients like cheese and bread can be bought in bulk and frozen until you need them.
What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Salad
Deciding what to serve with Buffalo Chicken Salad can turn it from a simple dish into a complete meal. Here are some pairing ideas that complement its flavors beautifully:
Sandwich and Wrap Options
Transform this salad into a hearty sandwich or wrap. Spoon it into a crusty baguette or wrap it in a tortilla with some lettuce for a delicious lunch. For a low-carb option, stuff it into hollowed-out cucumber boats or large tomato halves.
Veggie Sides
Serve your buffalo chicken salad with a side of carrot sticks, celery sticks, and cucumber slices. These veggies add a nice crunch and help balance the spiciness of the salad. Dipping them in a little extra ranch or blue cheese dressing can also be delish.
Low Carb Ideas
For a low-carb option, try serving the salad in romaine lettuce wraps or hollowed-out bell peppers. These alternatives provide a crunchy texture that complements the creamy salad. You can also serve it over a bed of cauliflower rice for a tasty buffalo chicken bowl.
Additional Toppings
For those who enjoy a bit more texture and flavor, consider adding toppings like avocado slices, chopped nuts, an extra drizzle of ranch, or even a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits.
More Easy Recipes You Will Love
- Taco Salad Cups Recipe
- Red Cabbage Coleslaw
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Chipotle Grilled Chicken
- Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
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Buffalo Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken chilled
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup celery chopped
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
- ¼ cup green onions chopped
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Place the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, sour cream, and ranch dressing in a medium mixing bowl and stir well.3 cups cooked and shredded chicken, ½ cup buffalo sauce, ½ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
- Add the celery, green onion, blue cheese crumbles, and garlic powder to the bowl and fold them into the chicken mixture until they’re evenly distributed.½ cup celery, ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles, ¼ cup green onions, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Serve on a croissant with extra blue cheese crumbles and chopped green onion sprinkled on the top, if desired, or it’s great as a dip with crackers, French bread slices, etc. Enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the Heat: Tailor the spiciness of your buffalo chicken salad by adding more or less buffalo wing sauce. Remember, it’s easier to add more heat than to take it away!
- Chicken: For the best texture and flavor, use freshly cooked chicken breast or thighs. If you’re in a rush, a high-quality rotisserie chicken is an excellent time-saver.
- Creaminess: If you prefer a creamier texture, consider adding a bit more sour cream, mayo, or a dollop of Greek yogurt. This also adds a bit of tang and extra protein.
- Cheese: While blue cheese is traditional with buffalo flavors, don’t hesitate to experiment with different types of cheese like feta or shredded cheddar if blue cheese isn’t your thing.
- Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh dill or chives can brighten up the flavors and add a pop of color.
- Serve Chilled: For the best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Make Ahead: Making it a few hours before serving allows the flavors to come together nicely. Just keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate Promptly: To maintain its best quality, store the salad in an airtight container and refrigerate it within two hours of preparation.
- Consume Within 3-4 Days: For the best taste and texture, eat the leftover salad within three to four days.
- Do Not Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for this type of salad, as it can cause the ingredients to become soft and lose their appealing texture when thawed.
