If you're a fan of Buffalo wings, wait until you try this Buffalo Chicken Salad. It's creamy, tangy, a little spicy, and packed with all the flavors you love in Buffalo chicken, but in an easy make-ahead salad that's perfect for lunch, dinner, meal prep, or game day gatherings.
Made with shredded chicken, Buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, celery, and blue cheese crumbles, this flavorful chicken salad comes together in minutes. Serve it on a sandwich, scoop it into a wrap, pile it onto crackers, or enjoy it straight from the bowl.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This easy chicken salad puts a spicy twist on a classic favorite. Here are just a few reasons you'll find yourself making it again and again.
Quick and Easy - With cooked chicken (think rotisserie chicken) already on hand, this recipe comes together in about 10 minutes.
Big Buffalo Flavor - Buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, celery, and blue cheese create the perfect combination of spicy, creamy, and tangy flavors.
Great for Meal Prep - Make it ahead for lunches throughout the week. The flavors get even better after chilling.
Versatile - Serve it as a sandwich, wrap, dip, or salad topping for a variety of easy meals.
Perfect for Entertaining - This Buffalo ranch chicken salad is always a hit at parties, tailgates, and game day gatherings.
Ingredients and Their Role in the Salad
You'll only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this flavorful chicken salad.
- Cooked Chicken - Rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken makes this recipe quick and convenient.
- Buffalo Sauce - Adds the signature spicy, tangy Buffalo flavor.
- Sour Cream - Creates a creamy texture and helps balance the heat.
- Ranch Dressing - Adds cool, herby flavor that pairs perfectly with Buffalo sauce.
- Celery - Provides freshness and a satisfying crunch.
- Green Onions - Add mild onion flavor and color.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles - Bring creamy, tangy richness to this Buffalo chicken salad with blue cheese.
- Garlic Powder - Adds savory depth and enhances all the other flavors.
Ingredient Notes
A few simple ingredient choices can help you customize this recipe to your preferences.
Chicken - Rotisserie chicken is the easiest option, but leftover grilled, baked, poached, or roasted chicken works just as well.
Buffalo Sauce - I recommend Frank's RedHot, but you can use your favorite Buffalo sauce.
Blue Cheese - Love it? Add a little extra. Not a fan? Feel free to leave it out entirely.
Ranch Dressing - Store-bought ranch works perfectly, but homemade ranch dressing is delicious too.
Best Chicken for Buffalo Chicken Salad
The best chicken for this recipe is fully cooked, chilled chicken that can easily be shredded.
Rotisserie chicken is often the top choice because it's flavorful, tender, and convenient. Leftover baked chicken, grilled chicken breasts, or air-fried whole chicken are also excellent options.
For the best texture, use shredded chicken rather than diced chicken. It allows the creamy dressing to coat every bite, creating a more flavorful and cohesive salad.
If you're short on time, canned chicken can also be used, though freshly cooked chicken provides the best flavor and texture.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Salad
This recipe couldn't be easier to make. Here's what to do:
- Place shredded chicken in large bowl.
- Add buffalo sauce, sour cream, and ranch dressing. Stir to mix.
- Top chicken mixture with chopped celery, green onion, blue cheese crumbles and garlic powder.
- Fold in until all ingredients are evenly distirbuted.
Want to save this recipe?
I'll email this recipe to you & you can come back to it when you're ready. Plus you'll get delicious seasonal recipes from me a couple times a month!
Recipe Tips for Success
This recipe is simple, but these tips will help you get the best results.
- Start with chilled cooked chicken for the best texture.
- Shred the chicken finely so it mixes evenly with the dressing.
- Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Taste before serving and adjust the Buffalo sauce if desired.
- Add extra celery if you like more crunch.
- Reserve a few blue cheese crumbles and green onions for garnish.
- For meal prep, store the salad separately from bread or wraps.
Recipe Variations to Make It Your Own
This Buffalo chicken salad is easy to customize with simple ingredient swaps.
- Chicken - Substitute turkey for the chicken.
- Sour Cream - Replace with plain Greek yogurt for a tangier option.
- Green Onion - Swap with chopped fresh parsley if preferred, though it will have a milder flavor.
- Cheese - Use shredded cheddar instead of blue cheese for a different flavor profile.
- Extra Heat - Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
- More Crunch - Stir in diced carrots or additional celery.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Salad
One of the best things about this recipe is how many ways you can serve it.
Sandwich - Pile it onto a croissant, sourdough bread, or your favorite sandwich bread.
Sliders - Serve on Hawaiian rolls or soft dinner rolls for parties and game day gatherings.
Wrap - Roll it up in a tortilla or wrap it in romaine or butter lettuce leaves for a lighter and low-carb option.
Dip - Serve with crackers, crostini, celery sticks, or bell pepper strips.
Salad - Top a bed of mixed greens with a scoop of Buffalo chicken salad, tomatoes, shredded carrots, chopped celery, blue cheese crumbles, and ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Make Ahead and Meal Prep
This recipe is ideal for meal prep because the flavors improve as it sits.
Prepare it up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Portion it into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. Just wait to assemble sandwiches and wraps until serving so the bread stays fresh.
How to Store the Salad and How Long It Lasts
Store leftover Buffalo chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Stir before serving if any separation occurs.
Freezing is not recommended. The sour cream, ranch dressing, and blue cheese can separate and become grainy after thawing, affecting both the texture and flavor of the salad.
Have questions? Scroll down below the recipe card to find frequently asked ones with answers.
More Chicken Salad Recipes
If you love easy chicken salads, here are a few more delicious recipes to try.
- Chicken Tortellini Salad - A hearty pasta salad loaded with fresh vegetables and tender chicken.
- Harvest Chicken Salad - A flavorful combination of chicken, fruit, and crunchy nuts.
- Grape and Walnut Chicken Salad - Sweet grapes and crunchy walnuts make this a family favorite.
- Rosemary Chicken Salad - Fresh herbs add wonderful flavor to this unique chicken salad.
- Strawberry Chicken Salad - A fresh and colorful salad that's perfect for spring and summer.
Find lots of easy salad recipes here on 2CM!
LOVE QUICK & EASY RECIPES? FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, & PINTEREST FOR ALL THE LATEST RECIPE INSPIRATION! PLUS JOIN MY EMAIL LIST AND RECEIVE A FREE E-BOOK.
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken shredded & chilled
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 Tablespoons ranch dressing
- ½ cup celery chopped
- ¼ cup green onions chopped
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Stir the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, sour cream, and ranch dressing together in a medium bowl.
- Fold chopped celery, green onion, blue cheese crumbles, and garlic powder into the chicken mixture until evenly distributed.
- Serve as is or on a croissant or fresh sourdough bread with extra blue cheese crumbles and chopped green onion sprinkled on the top, if desired. This salad also works great as a dip with crackers or French bread slices.
Notes
Want to save this recipe?
I'll email this recipe to you & you can come back to it when you're ready. Plus you'll get delicious seasonal recipes from me a couple times a month!
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. In fact, the flavor improves after a few hours in the refrigerator, making it perfect for meal prep.
It depends on the Buffalo sauce you use. For a milder version, use less Buffalo sauce and add a little extra ranch dressing.
Absolutely. The salad is still delicious without it.
Yes. While rotisserie or freshly cooked chicken provides the best texture and flavor, canned chicken can be used in a pinch.
No. Because of the dairy-based ingredients, freezing is not recommended.
Leave a Reply