Buffalo Chicken Salad is a fresh, colorful twist on classic buffalo wings - often called Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad for its zesty, creamy dressing. Built Cobb-style, it layers juicy chicken, crisp romaine, crunchy celery, carrots, cherry tomatoes, and tangy blue cheese over greens. Tossed with bold Buffalo Ranch dressing, every bite is tangy, spicy, and satisfying. Serve plated for a polished look or toss together for a quick, crowd-pleasing meal.
This Buffalo chicken salad recipe is as flexible as it is flavorful. Use grilled Buffalo chicken for the best option, or keep it easy with leftover chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken tossed in buffalo sauce. The bold Buffalo Ranch dressing ties everything together and doubles as a dip for veggies or wings. Serve it plated for a polished look or tossed family-style in a big bowl. I's a crowd-pleaser you'll make on repeat.
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Why You'll Love This Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Classic flavors - All the bold, tangy buffalo sauce flavor.
- Perfect for hot weather - Cool and crisp, ideal for summer lunches or dinners.
- Great using leftovers - Works beautifully with grilled chicken, roasted chicken, or rotisserie chicken.
- Cobb salad vibes - Enjoy all the components separately or toss them together for a flavor-packed bite.
- Protein-rich & satisfying - Keeps you full while still feeling light and fresh.
For another fresh and light chicken salad, try this recipe, reminiscent of a Chinese chicken salad with ginger dressing.
Ingredients You'll Need
For the Salad
- Cooked chicken - Use grilled buffalo chicken (photo below), rotisserie, or roast chicken, chopped so it blends easily with the other salad ingredients.
- Romaine lettuce - Hearts of romaine are crisp and sturdy, perfect for holding up to creamy dressing.
- Carrots - Adds texture and color.
- Celery - For fresh crunch and a nod to classic buffalo wing platters.
- Cucumber - For fresh flavor and a crisp addition.
- Cherry or grape tomatoes - Halved for juicy, sweet bites that balance the spicy dressing.
- Blue cheese crumbles - Tangy, creamy, and the perfect buffalo pairing.
- Red cabbage - A small amount adds beautiful color and crunch.
- Scallions - Optional, but they add a fresh oniony note and nice garnish.
For the Buffalo Ranch Dressing
- Sour cream - The creamy, tangy base.
- Mayonnaise - For more creaminess creamy.
- Hot sauce - Frank's RedHot Original is the classic, or a similar hot sauce.
- Fresh chopped herbs - A mix of parsley, chives, and dill for fresh, bright flavor.
- Vinegar - Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, balances the richness.
- Buttermilk - Thins the dressing slightly and adds that dairy ranch tang.
- Worcestershire sauce - Adds savory, umami depth (optional).
- Garlic powder - Brings mild, savory warmth.
- Onion powder - Rounds out the flavor profile.
Please see the recipe card for measurements, salt, and pepper.
Chef's Tip: Quick & Easy Buffalo Chicken Salad Shortcut
Short on time? Use pre-washed bagged salad greens, store-bought cooked chicken (rotisserie or grilled), and pre-chopped veggies. Toss the chicken in your favorite Buffalo sauce for extra flavor, then serve with my homemade Buffalo Ranch dressing for a fresh, flavor-packed meal in minutes.
Substitutions and Variations
- Protein swaps - Use grilled shrimp, spiced ground turkey, salmon bites, or leftover steak bites.
- Lettuce alternatives - Use chopped iceberg or a mix of sturdy greens.
- Cheese options - Try feta for a milder tang or skip cheese for dairy-free.
- Spicy Buffalo Chicken Salad - Adjust the hot sauce in the dressing to make it spicier, and add extra drizzle over the salad or on the chicken before serving.
- Veggie boosts - Add avocado, or bell pepper for more color and texture.
How about a Caesar pasta salad with chicken? It's terrific and great for summer and family meals.
Chef's Tip - Easy Shortcut with Store-Bought Chicken
Starting with plain rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken from the store? Boost the flavor by tossing the cubed chicken in a few tablespoons of your favorite buffalo sauce until lightly coated. This quick step transforms it into spicy buffalo chicken that pairs perfectly with the creamy Buffalo Ranch dressing.
How to Make the Best Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Chop romaine crosswise into thin ribbons, wash and dry well.
- Chop all of the other vegetables. Halve tomatoes.
- Combine sour cream, mayo, hot sauce, buttermilk (or powder), onion and garlic powder, salt & pepper.
- Add the herbs and chill at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. Thicken or thin if needed.
- Fill the bottom of a large shallow bowl with the romaine and arrange all of the vegetables on top on rows, or serve as a tossed buffalo ranch salad. Offer dressing on the side.
Chef's Tip: How to Meal Prep Buffalo Chicken Salad - To get ahead on busy days, prep this salad in advance by keeping the cooked chicken, chopped veggies, and Buffalo Ranch dressing in separate airtight containers. Assemble right before serving to keep greens crisp. Buffalo Ranch dressing up to 2-3 days in advance.
Ways to Enjoy Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Main dish salad - Serve as-is for a bold, satisfying dinner with a mix of crunchy veggies, chicken, and tangy Buffalo Ranch.
- Game day platter - Arrange the salad on a large platter for self-serve at casual gatherings; let guests drizzle on extra Buffalo Ranch.
- Meal prep bowls - Divide into containers with greens on one side, toppings on the other, and dressing in a small cup for quick lunches.
- Buffalo "Cobb" twist - Add hardboiled eggs and diced avocado in neat rows for a striking presentation.
- Customizable buffet - Set out the salad components separately so everyone can build their own with the heat level and toppings they like.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Leftover or rotisserie chicken works beautifully-just shred or dice it and toss in the seasoning. It's a fantastic shortcut that doesn't compromise flavor
Definitely! Try swapping Greek yogurt for some mayo to lighten it up, use regular or roasted chickpeas instead of chicken, or swap lettuce variety to suit your dietary preferences. Omit cheese for vegan or no-dairy, or use a plant-based cheese. Add edamame for plant-based protein as well for a healthy buffalo chicken salad.
Spice levels depend on the buffalo sauce you choose. If you're sensitive to heat, begin with half the amount, taste, then add more if you like. Another option, use a different dressing and skip the buffalo, like a creamy avocado dressing or a creamy Caesar dressing.
More Great Salad Recipes
Craving more salad inspiration? These recipes deliver big flavor in every bite, with unique flavor profiles that range from bright and herby to rich and tangy.
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📖 Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
Buffalo salad
- 1 pound cooked chicken, chopped grilled, rotisserie, roast
- 12 ounces hearts of romaine lettuce
- 1 cup grated carrots 2-3 large
- 1 cup chopped cucumber ½ of 1 english
- 1 cup chopped celery 2-3 large stalks
- 16 cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes halve
- 6 ounces crumbled blue cheese
- ½ cup shredded or chopped red cabbage
- ¼ cup chopped scallions
Buffalo ranch dressing (makes extra)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 3-4 tablespoons Franks RedHot original or similar hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped herbs combination parsley, chives, dill
- 1 tablespoons buttermilk powder or buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice optional
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
Chop and wash romaine
- Chop romaine crosswise into thin ribbons, wash with produce wash, and spin dry in a salad spinner. Place lettuce in a large salad bowl or on a platter.
Arrange salad and dress
- Arrange chicken, carrots, celery, tomatoes, red cabbage, and blue cheese on top. Drizzle with Buffalo Ranch Dressing, tossing lightly if desired. Serve immediately, with extra dressing on the side.
Buffalo ranch
- In a medium bowl, add the sour cream, mayonnaise, Frank's RedHot, herbs, buttermilk powder or buttermilk, apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (if using), Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Whisk until well blended and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Rest and adjust
- Let the dressing sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. This not only allows the flavors to blend, but also gives the buttermilk powder and seasonings time to hydrate, which naturally thickens the dressing.If the dressing thickens too much for your purpose, thin with a little milk.
Notes
Nutrition
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