Buffalo chicken salad has all the comfort you crave, with a spicy kick that’ll wake you right up!
Imagine the flavor of tangy, zesty buffalo wings in a creamy, portable salad form. I love how the shredded chicken soaks up the buffalo wing sauce while the crunchy celery, carrots, and red onion give it the perfect bite.
I threw in some crumbled blue cheese because why not?
Seriously, this salad is great for meal prep, a quick lunch, or even a backyard BBQ.
Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Salad
Game-Day Favorite: It brings the beloved taste of buffalo wings to a convenient and easy-to-eat salad form. It’s perfect for game-day gatherings or casual get-togethers.
Versatile: This salad offers multiple serving possibilities, whether you prefer it in a wrap, on a sandwich, or simply on its own.
Quick Preparation: With minimal cooking required, this recipe is a time-saver It’s great for busy weeknights!
Tantalizing Taste: It has the perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and creamy flavors.
Ingredients
- Cooked Shredded Chicken Breast: The tender, protein-packed base absorbs all the tangy and spicy flavors.
- Veggies: Celery, carrots, red onion, and scallions add freshness, texture, and a slight bite.
- Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt: It lightens up the dressing without sacrificing richness.
- Light Mayonnaise: It adds smoothness and a classic creamy texture to the dressing.
- Buffalo Wing Sauce: Its signature spicy, tangy kick makes this chicken salad bold and exciting.
- Garlic Powder: It gives the flavor a subtle, savory depth.
- Dried Dill Weed: It infuses the salad with a hint of herby freshness.
- Salt and Black Pepper to Taste: Essential seasonings balance and highlight the dish’s flavors.
- Crumbled Blue Cheese (Optional): It’s creamy and pungent for an extra layer of indulgence.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Salad
This salad is so much easier than wings!
1. Prepare the ingredients. Combine shredded chicken, diced celery, shredded carrots, diced red onion, and sliced scallions in a large mixing bowl.
2. Make the dressing. In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, Buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, and dried dill weed until smooth.
3. Combine the mixture. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently stir until all ingredients are well coated.
4. Season and add the cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If desired, fold in the crumbled blue cheese.
5. Chill the salad. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
6. Garnish and serve. Garnish with additional scallions or celery leaves if desired before serving. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Buffalo Chicken Salad
Here are my tried-and-true tips for the best chicken salad.
- Choose the best chicken. For the most flavorful and moist shredded chicken, use leftover rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or poached chicken breasts.
- Dial the dressing up or down. Experiment with the ratio of Greek yogurt to mayonnaise to achieve the desired creaminess and tanginess in the dressing.
- Select your spice level. Adjust the amount of buffalo wing sauce to suit your preferred level of spiciness. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Add some freshness. Mix in some chopped fresh parsley, dill, or chives to brighten up the flavors.
- Toss in fun mix-ins. Get creative with mix-ins like diced avocado, chopped bacon, diced apples or grapes, toasted nuts, or seeds.
- Serve it up right. Enjoy in sandwiches, wraps, on top of greens, with crackers or celery sticks, or stuffed in avocado halves or bell peppers.
How to Store
Follow these steps to keep leftover chicken salad fresh.
To Store: Transfer to an air-tight container and place it in the refrigerator. The salad can be kept fresh for up to 3-4 days.
For optimal freshness, store the components separately: keep the cooked chicken, chopped veggies, and dressing in individual containers, and combine them just before serving.
Buffalo Chicken Salad
4
servings10
minutes325
kcalThis creamy buffalo chicken salad is a unique take on a classic! It’s light and refreshing with just the right amount of heat from the buffalo sauce.
Ingredients
4 cups cooked shredded chicken breast, chilled
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup finely diced red onion
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
1/3 cup Buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, celery, carrots, red onion, and scallions.
- In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, and dried dill weed until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir gently until everything is well coated.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If using, fold in the crumbled blue cheese.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled, garnished with additional scallions or celery leaves if desired. Enjoy!
