Buffalo chicken salad combines the zing of spicy buffalo sauce with the crispness of fresh vegetables, making it a perfect dish for anyone craving something flavorful and satisfying. As a busy mom and passionate home cook, I’ve found this recipe to be an easy way to incorporate spicy flavors into a healthy, light meal. Whether you’re serving it for lunch or dinner, this salad is not just nutritious but packs a punch with each bite.
Table of Contents
The Story of My Buffalo Chicken Salad
A Comforting Meal for Busy Days
Buffalo chicken salad is a dish that reminds me of cozy nights spent around the table with my family. The bold flavors of buffalo sauce combined with tender chicken and a fresh mix of salad greens create the perfect balance. It’s a dish I often make when I want something quick, satisfying, and full of flavor. Plus, it’s easy to customize with your favorite toppings like blue cheese or ranch, making it a crowd-pleaser in our home.
Why I Love Making Buffalo Chicken Salad
There’s something special about how the tangy buffalo sauce pairs perfectly with the crunch of fresh vegetables. This salad is filling without being too heavy, making it a go-to meal when I’m craving something satisfying yet light. After a busy day, I find myself reaching for this recipe, especially because it’s ready in under 30 minutes! You can easily make it with leftover chicken or quickly cook fresh chicken. Whether you go for grilled or roasted chicken, the buffalo sauce always brings that perfect kick of spice and flavor.
Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe: A Perfect Blend of Flavor and Freshness
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
A healthy and flavorful buffalo chicken salad with shredded chicken, vegetables, and creamy dressing, served in fresh lettuce wraps.
Ingredients
6 1/2 ounces cooked chicken breast or canned, from an 8 oz breast, cubed
1/4 cup red onion, plus more for garnish
1/2 celery stalk, plus leaves for garnish
1 baby carrot
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 cup Frank’s hot sauce, or more to taste
6 baby romaine lettuce leaves, or your favorite lettuce for wraps
Light blue cheese dressing, optional for topping
Instructions
If you need to cook the chicken in the slow cooker, cover it with water 4 hours on low then shred. Use a rotisserie chicken breast or even canned chicken works here.
In a mini chopper, chop all the veggies, then add the chicken and pulse a few times.
Transfer to a bowl and mix with the mayo and hot sauce, adding more to taste.
To serve, spoon into lettuce wraps and garnish with red onion, celery leaves and more hot sauce.
Notes
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- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Meal Prep
- Method: Slow Cooking, Shredding, Chopping, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 serving
- Calories: 359 kcal
- Sugar: 2.5 g
- Sodium: 1401.5 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Ingredients and Preparation for Buffalo Chicken Salad
What Goes Into a Buffalo Chicken Salad?
What makes buffalo chicken salad so appealing is its simplicity. You’ll need just a few ingredients to create a perfect balance of spicy, fresh, and crunchy. The base consists of grilled or shredded chicken coated in buffalo sauce, fresh greens like romaine, spinach, or arugula, and crunchy vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots, and celery. If you like, you can top it off with some crumbled blue cheese or shredded cheddar for an added richness. The key to this salad is the dressing – a blend of buffalo sauce with either ranch or blue cheese dressing to bring everything together.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Salad
Making this buffalo chicken salad is as easy as it is delicious! Start by grilling or sautéing chicken breasts until they’re fully cooked, then shred or slice them. Toss the chicken in your favorite buffalo sauce, making sure each piece is coated with the spicy goodness. While the chicken is marinating in the sauce, prepare your salad base by layering fresh greens and vegetables. Once your chicken is ready, arrange it on top of the salad, and sprinkle with blue cheese or cheddar if you like. Lastly, pour the creamy dressing over the salad and toss everything together gently. It’s a quick and easy meal that feels like a treat!
Tips for Serving and Enjoying Buffalo Chicken Salad
Buffalo Chicken Salad Variations
One of the best things about buffalo chicken salad is how versatile it is. You can easily switch up ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary needs. For a lighter option, try using a homemade buffalo sauce with less butter or a spicy vinaigrette instead. If you’re looking to make the salad more filling, adding creamy avocado slices or crispy tortilla strips can elevate the texture and flavor. You can even try swapping the chicken for grilled shrimp or tofu if you’re in the mood for something different. The options are limitless, which is what makes this salad so enjoyable to create!
Is Buffalo Sauce Good on Salad?
Absolutely! The bold, tangy flavors of buffalo sauce are a perfect match for the crisp, fresh vegetables in the salad. The heat from the sauce gives the salad a punch, while the creamy dressing helps balance out the spice. If you prefer a milder version, you can always adjust the amount of buffalo sauce or use a less spicy alternative. For those who enjoy a bit more heat, you can add extra buffalo sauce or even some sliced jalapeños to take it up a notch. Either way, buffalo sauce adds a unique flavor that turns an ordinary salad into something extraordinary.
Buffalo Chicken Salad at Salad and Go
What Is Buffalo Chicken at Salad and Go?
Buffalo chicken at Salad and Go is a quick, healthy, and flavorful option for anyone craving a satisfying meal on the go. The salad features tender grilled chicken that’s tossed in spicy buffalo sauce and served on a bed of fresh greens. It’s topped with crunchy veggies like celery and carrots, giving it the perfect texture contrast. The addition of a creamy dressing – usually ranch or blue cheese – complements the heat of the buffalo sauce, making it an irresistible option for lunch or dinner. It’s the kind of meal that hits all the right notes: spicy, cool, and incredibly fresh.
How to Recreate Salad and Go’s Buffalo Chicken Salad at Home
Making Salad and Go’s version of buffalo chicken salad at home is easier than you might think! Start by grilling or pan-frying chicken breasts and tossing them in your favorite buffalo sauce. While the chicken cooks, prepare your salad base with crisp greens and a variety of crunchy vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and celery. For extra flavor, sprinkle on some blue cheese or shredded cheddar, and top it all off with a drizzle of creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing. It’s a simple recipe that lets you enjoy the same delicious buffalo chicken salad right at home.
Conclusion
Buffalo chicken salad is the perfect dish for those looking for something flavorful, satisfying, and easy to make. With its combination of tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and bold buffalo sauce, it’s a meal that’s as exciting as it is nutritious. Whether you’re making it at home or grabbing it from Salad and Go, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
FAQ – Buffalo Chicken Salad
What goes in a buffalo chicken salad?
A buffalo chicken salad typically includes grilled or shredded chicken coated in buffalo sauce, fresh greens like romaine or spinach, cucumbers, carrots, celery, and optional toppings like blue cheese or cheddar. A creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing complements the heat of the buffalo sauce, tying the flavors together for a perfect balance.
What is Buffalo chicken made of?
Buffalo chicken is typically made from chicken breasts or thighs that are grilled, baked, or fried. The chicken is then tossed in buffalo sauce, which is a combination of hot sauce and melted butter, giving it a spicy, tangy flavor that is the hallmark of this dish.
Is Buffalo sauce good on salad?
Yes! Buffalo sauce is fantastic on salad, adding a spicy, tangy kick that pairs wonderfully with fresh vegetables. When combined with a creamy dressing like ranch or blue cheese, it creates a perfect balance of heat and coolness, making it a flavorful addition to any salad.
What is Buffalo chicken at Salad and Go?
Buffalo chicken at Salad and Go is a healthy, delicious salad featuring tender grilled chicken tossed in spicy buffalo sauce. It’s served on a bed of fresh greens, topped with crunchy vegetables like celery and carrots, and finished off with a creamy dressing, making it the perfect quick and satisfying meal.