Buffalo Chicken Salad
This Buffalo Chicken Salad brings bold flavors and wholesome ingredients together in one satisfying dish. Packed with tender chicken, crisp veggies, and creamy dressing, it’s perfect as a main course or a game-day side.
The combination of crispy bacon, fresh avocado, and crunchy tortilla strips creates a delightful texture contrast, while the zesty buffalo sauce adds the right amount of kick. With blue cheese crumbles enhancing the savory richness, every bite is an irresistible treat.
Easy to assemble and full of vibrant ingredients, this salad is a crowd-pleaser that can be made ahead for a quick meal. It’s not just a salad; it’s an experience.
Buffalo Chicken Salad Ingredients
The Buffalo Chicken Salad gets its rich, savory base from the crispy bacon, adding a smoky depth that balances the dish. Tender chicken, seasoned to perfection, provides a hearty protein boost, while the fresh avocado brings a creamy, smooth contrast.
Crisp Romaine lettuce serves as the fresh, crunchy foundation, complemented by vibrant vegetables like corn, carrots, and celery for a satisfying texture and burst of color. The sharp crumbles of blue cheese tie the flavors together with a tangy finish, while tortilla strips add the ideal crunch.
A zesty buffalo sauce, married with creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing, coats the chicken, enveloping each bite with bold, spicy flavor. This combination of ingredients creates a well-rounded, crave-worthy salad that hits all the right notes.
Buffalo Chicken Salad: Recipe Tips
- Crisp Bacon for the Best Flavor: When cooking the bacon, make sure to let it crisp up properly. Not only will this add a delightful crunch to your salad, but the rendered bacon fat adds a subtle richness to the chicken. Avoid overcooking the bacon, as it can turn too greasy or chewy. The perfect bacon should add texture without overwhelming the dish.
- Season the Chicken Well: Don’t skimp on seasoning the chicken. A simple blend of paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper helps elevate the flavor. Toss the chicken in the seasoning mix before cooking to ensure every piece is well-coated. If you like more heat, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to the seasoning mix.
- Dress Just Before Serving: To maintain the crisp texture of the vegetables and lettuce, avoid dressing the salad until right before serving. This ensures that the lettuce stays fresh and doesn’t wilt. If making ahead, keep the dressing separate and toss everything together just before serving for maximum freshness and crunch.
What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Garlic Breadsticks: Pair your Buffalo Chicken Salad with warm, crispy garlic breadsticks for a satisfying contrast in textures. The soft, buttery bread complements the tangy heat of the buffalo sauce, making for a well-rounded meal. You can dip the breadsticks in the extra ranch or blue cheese dressing for an extra indulgence.
- Fresh Fruit Salad: To balance the richness of the buffalo chicken, serve the salad with a refreshing fruit salad. The natural sweetness of fruits like watermelon, pineapple, or berries provides a light and juicy contrast to the savory, spicy flavors of the salad. It’s a perfect way to cleanse the palate between bites.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: For a hearty side dish, roasted sweet potatoes are a great complement. Their natural sweetness and slightly crispy edges pair well with the spicy and tangy flavors of the salad, adding a satisfying starchy element to the meal. You can drizzle them with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper for extra flavor.
FAQ: Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Can I make this salad ahead of time?
It’s best to assemble the salad right before serving to maintain freshness. However, you can prep the ingredients in advance—cook the chicken, bacon, and chop the vegetables—and store them separately in the fridge. Just toss everything together and add the dressing right before serving. - Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, if you’re not a fan of blue cheese, feel free to substitute with feta cheese or even a mild cheddar. The key is to use a cheese that complements the spiciness of the buffalo sauce without overpowering it. - How can I make this salad spicier?
If you love a spicy kick, try adding extra buffalo sauce or a few dashes of hot sauce to the chicken. You can also sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes on top of the salad for an added heat boost. - Can I make this salad gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap the tortilla strips for gluten-free tortilla chips or skip them altogether for a low-carb version. Ensure that your ranch and buffalo sauce are gluten-free as well.
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- Romaine lettuce chopped
- Chicken breasts thinly sliced
- Bacon strips chopped
- Avocado sliced
- Corn kernels
- Shredded carrots
- Diced celery
- Diced green onions
- Blue cheese or feta cheese crumbled
- Tortilla strips
- Olive oil
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper
- Buffalo sauce
- Sour cream
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing
Instructions
- Begin by cooking the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until it becomes crisp and the fat has rendered, which should take about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon using a slotted spoon and set it aside. Leave approximately two tablespoons of rendered bacon fat in the pan.
- While the bacon is cooking, season the sliced chicken with olive oil, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss the chicken to ensure it is evenly coated with the seasonings.
- In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed and heat it over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, cook the seasoned chicken for 4 to 6 minutes on each side, or until it is golden and thoroughly cooked. After cooking, let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before chopping it into 1-inch pieces.
- Whisk together the buffalo sauce, sour cream, and blue cheese dressing in a medium-sized bowl, reserving about ½ cup of the mixture for later use as dressing.
- Add the chopped chicken to the buffalo sauce mixture, tossing to coat the chicken evenly, and set it aside.
- To assemble the salad, use the chopped romaine lettuce as the base, then layer the chicken, sliced avocado, corn, shredded carrots, diced celery, green onions, blue cheese, tortilla strips, and crispy bacon. Drizzle the reserved dressing over the top and serve immediately.
Notes
Leftover chicken can be stored separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
