Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe – Spicy Grilled Chicken Salad with Ranch & Crunchy Veggies
This Irresistible Buffalo Chicken Salad is the perfect balance of heat, crunch, and creamy goodness. Featuring spicy buffalo-style chicken over a bed of crisp greens, crunchy veggies, and a cool ranch or blue cheese drizzle, it’s a bold and satisfying meal that’s ready in minutes. Great for lunch, dinner, or meal prep, this salad delivers all the flavor of buffalo wings—without the mess. Customize it with avocado, shredded carrots, or crumbled cheese for your perfect bowl of spicy comfort.
Equipment
- Skillet or grill pan (if cooking chicken)
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs
- Cutting board and knife
- Measuring spoons
- Salad spinner (optional)
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 cups cooked chicken (grilled, shredded, or rotisserie)
- ½ cup buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
For the Salad Base:
- 4 cups chopped romaine or mixed greens
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- Optional: ½ avocado, diced
For the Dressing:
- ¼ cup ranch or blue cheese dressing (or Greek yogurt-based alternative)
Optional Toppings:
- Crumbled blue cheese
- Chopped scallions or cilantro
- Bacon bits
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: If using raw chicken, season and cook until done. Let cool slightly, then shred or slice.
- Toss with Buffalo Sauce: Warm buffalo sauce and coat chicken evenly using tongs. Let cool for a few minutes.
- Assemble the Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine greens, carrots, celery, tomatoes, onion, and avocado.
- Add Chicken and Dressing: Top salad with buffalo chicken. Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with optional toppings.
- Serve or Store: Toss gently and serve immediately, or store components separately for meal prep.
Notes
- For dairy-free: use vegan dressing and skip cheese.
- For Whole30: use compliant buffalo sauce and dressing.
- For extra crunch: add cucumbers or bell peppers.
- Great in wraps, lettuce cups, or grain bowls.
- Store chicken and veggies separately to keep fresh for up to 4 days.