The Ultimate Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe for Spicy Flavor Fans

Crafting a mouthwatering buffalo chicken salad brings zesty excitement to your weeknight dinner routine.

Crisp greens form the perfect canvas for spicy, tender meat.

Lean protein meets tangy hot sauce in a delightful dance of flavors.

Crunchy vegetables add vibrant texture to each refreshing bite.

Blue cheese crumbles provide a creamy counterpoint that makes taste buds sing.

Quick and simple, this dish comes together faster than you can say “game day.” You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this crowd-pleasing meal.

What Makes Buffalo Chicken Salad So Addictive

• Spice Up Your Meal: Transform boring chicken into a zesty buffalo-style dish that brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen.
• Quick and Nutritious Preparation: Broil chicken strips in minutes while loading up on fresh vegetables, creating a protein-packed meal that's both healthy and satisfying.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust heat levels by adding more or less hot sauce, making this recipe perfect for different taste preferences and allowing everyone to enjoy their ideal spice level.
• Simple Weeknight Wonder: Requires minimal cooking skills and basic ingredients, turning an ordinary dinner into an exciting culinary experience that impresses family and friends without complex techniques.

What You’ll Need for Buffalo Chicken Salad

• Chicken Breast: A lean and tender protein that serves as the main component of the salad.

• Romaine Lettuce: A crisp and refreshing green that provides a crunchy foundation for the salad.
• Celery: Adds a cool, crunchy texture and fresh flavor to the salad.
• Shredded Carrots: Brings a sweet and vibrant color to the dish.
• Scallions: Offers a mild onion flavor and adds a pop of green to the salad.

• Hot Sauce: Provides a spicy kick and creates the signature buffalo-style flavor.
• Olive Oil: Helps to coat the chicken and enhance its flavor.
• Blue Cheese Dressing: Adds a creamy, tangy element that complements the spicy chicken.

How to Toss Together Buffalo Chicken Salad

Step 1: Prepare Chicken for Broiling

Place chicken between waxed paper and gently pound with a mallet until it reaches an even 3/4-inch thickness.

Step 2: Create Spicy Chicken Coating

Slice chicken into half-inch strips.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together hot sauce and oil. Thoroughly coat chicken strips in the zesty mixture.

Step 3: Broil Chicken to Perfection

Transfer chicken strips to a baking sheet. Broil for 4-6 minutes, flipping midway, ensuring chicken is fully cooked and slightly charred.

Step 4: Assemble Fresh Salad Base

• Romaine lettuce
• Celery
• Shredded carrots
• Scallions

Chop and combine all ingredients in a large bowl.

Step 5: Dress and Serve Salad

Drizzle Blue Cheese Dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat evenly.

Distribute salad onto four plates. Top each serving with the spicy broiled chicken strips.

Optional: Serve with extra hot sauce for heat lovers.

Tricks for Bold Flavor in Buffalo Chicken Salad

• Pound chicken evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked areas.
• Use high-quality hot sauce for intense, authentic buffalo flavor that complements the chicken perfectly.
• Allow chicken to marinate briefly in hot sauce mixture to enhance taste and tenderness before broiling.
• Choose fresh, crisp vegetables like romaine and celery to add crunch and balance the spicy chicken.
• Serve immediately after broiling to maintain chicken's warmth and prevent soggy salad texture.

Bold Twists on Buffalo Chicken Salad

• Spicy Ranch Remix: Replace blue cheese dressing with zesty ranch, add jalapeño slices for extra heat.
• Mediterranean Buffalo Fusion: Swap romaine for mixed greens, incorporate cucumber, feta cheese, and Greek yogurt dressing.
• Crunchy Buffalo Wrap: Roll buffalo chicken, lettuce, and dressing in a large tortilla, serve as a handheld meal.
• Cool Avocado Buffalo Bowl: Top salad with diced avocado, crispy tortilla strips, and drizzle with lime-infused buffalo sauce.

What Matches Buffalo Chicken Salad Best

• Pair Crisp Craft Beer: Select a hoppy pale ale or wheat beer to complement the spicy buffalo chicken, cutting through the heat while refreshing the palate.
• Enhance with Zesty Chardonnay: Choose a lightly oaked Chardonnay with bright acidity that balances the tangy hot sauce and rich blue cheese dressing.
• Cool Down with Creamy Sides: Add blue cheese crumbles or ranch dip to soften the buffalo chicken's intense flavor and provide a creamy counterpoint.
• Match Crunchy Accompaniments: Serve with crisp tortilla chips or toasted baguette slices to add textural contrast and provide a satisfying crunch alongside the salad.

How to Keep Buffalo Chicken Salad Crisp

• Refrigerator Storage: Place leftover Buffalo chicken salad in an airtight container, separating chicken and salad greens to prevent wilting. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 days.
• Chicken Reheating: Warm chicken strips in microwave for 30-45 seconds on medium power, or quickly reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
• Salad Freshness: Store lettuce and vegetables separately from chicken and dressing. Reassemble just before eating to maintain crisp texture and prevent soggy greens.
• Quick Tip: If chicken seems dry when reheating, drizzle a little extra hot sauce to restore moisture and original flavor profile.

Common Questions About Buffalo Chicken Salad

• How spicy is this Buffalo Chicken Salad?

The hot sauce determines the heat level. You can adjust the amount of hot sauce to make it mild or extra spicy according to your taste preference.

• Can I use different types of chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts or chicken tenders. Just ensure the chicken is pounded to an even thickness for consistent cooking.

• Is Blue Cheese Dressing necessary for this salad?

While Blue Cheese Dressing is traditional, you can substitute with ranch dressing or a lighter vinaigrette if you prefer a different flavor profile.

• What makes this salad a Buffalo-style dish?

The key is coating the chicken in hot sauce before cooking, which gives it the signature tangy and spicy Buffalo-style flavor commonly found in Buffalo chicken wings.

Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 21 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Buffalo Chicken Salad delivers a spicy kick that dances across crisp greens and creamy blue cheese. Crunchy chicken tenders drizzled with zesty hot sauce create a bold meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 2 (8 ounces/226 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 2 hearts romaine lettuce, cut into 1-inch strips (about 8 cups)
• 4 celery stalks, thinly sliced
• 2 carrots, coarsely grated
• 2 scallions, green part only, sliced

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper hot sauce
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup lowfat buttermilk
• 1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper

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Instructions

1. Flatten chicken to uniform 3/4-inch thickness using waxed paper and meat mallet.
2. Slice chicken into 1/2-inch strips, then marinate in hot sauce and oil mixture, ensuring thorough coating.
3. Position chicken strips on baking sheet, broil at high heat for 4-6 minutes, flipping midway to guarantee even cooking and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
4. Prepare salad base by combining crisp Romaine lettuce, thinly sliced celery, shredded carrots, and chopped scallions in large mixing bowl.
5. Drizzle Blue Cheese Dressing over vegetable mixture, gently tossing to distribute dressing evenly.
6. Plate salad by creating a bed of dressed greens, then strategically arranging hot, spicy chicken strips on top.
7. Optional: Serve with additional hot sauce on the side for those craving extra heat and flavor intensity.

Notes

• Pound chicken evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked spots.
• Use a meat thermometer to check chicken reaches 165°F for food safety without overcooking.
• Consider marinating chicken in hot sauce mixture for 30 minutes before broiling to intensify flavor and keep meat juicy.
• Swap blue cheese dressing with Greek yogurt or ranch for lighter, dietary alternative without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Broiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg