There was a time when I thought I didn’t like buffalo chicken.
What I was actually turned off by were the greasy, fatty, & grisly buffalo wings so often found at sports bars.
Little did I know back then that the redeeming qualities of buffalo wings (spicy heat and the tangy blue cheese often served alongside) could be used in healthy & tasty recipes.
Thank goodness my foray into the foodie world led me to discover the possibilities of combining chicken, hot sauce, and blue cheese into a vast array of dishes.
Such as chicken salad!
Consider this the cold lunch version of my Buffalo Chicken Calzones. Cooked chicken folded into creamy & cooling Greek yogurt gets a flavor punch from hot sauce & crumbled blue cheese. As you might recall, celery never makes its way into my crisper drawer; I used diced carrots for crunch instead.
You can eat the chicken salad as is atop a bed of fresh greens, sandwich it between two slices of hearty whole grain bread, or – as I did – roll it up in soft whole wheat tortillas.
| Name | Buffalo Chicken Salad |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | American |
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 25 minutes |
| Total Time | 40 minutes |
| Servings | 4 servings |
| Yield | 1 salad per serving |
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Buffalo Chicken:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, mix the buffalo sauce and olive oil. Coat the chicken breasts with this mixture.
- Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Once cooked, allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes, then slice into strips.
- Prepare the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, combine the ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, mayonnaise, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the dressing.
- Assemble the Salad:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, julienned carrot, and sliced celery.
- Toss the salad gently to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Add the Buffalo Chicken:
- Arrange the sliced buffalo chicken on top of the salad.
- Drizzle with Dressing:
- Drizzle the prepared buffalo ranch dressing over the salad and chicken.
- Garnish:
- If desired, sprinkle blue cheese crumbles over the top for an extra burst of flavor.
- Serve:
- Toss the salad just before serving to ensure the flavors are well distributed.
- Serve immediately and enjoy this spicy and flavorful buffalo chicken salad.
| Nutrition Per Serving | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 400 kcal |
| Protein | 25g |
| Carbohydrates | 15g |
| Dietary Fiber | 5g |
| Sugars | 5g |
| Fat | 27g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Cholesterol | 85mg |
| Sodium | 1100mg |
| Vitamin D | 10% DV |
| Calcium | 15% DV |
| Iron | 10% DV |
| Potassium | 700mg |
Please note that these nutrition values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used. It’s always a good practice to calculate nutrition based on the exact ingredients and quantities you use.
Experience a burst of flavors with our Buffalo Chicken Salad. Tender chicken strips, marinated in zesty buffalo sauce, crown a bed of crisp mixed greens, tomatoes, and carrots. Tossed in a tantalizing buffalo ranch dressing, every bite is a spicy, savory delight. Perfect for a swift, satisfying meal, this salad will leave your taste buds craving for more.
