Buffalo chicken—what’s not to love? Its spicy, tangy, and oh-so-satisfying kick is like a party in your mouth. Now imagine that fiery goodness made into a salad that’s actually good for you.
I know, right? It’s like your taste buds just won the lottery. So, if you’re craving something a bit more exciting than the usual salad, grab your ingredients and let’s get this buffalo chicken salad on the table!
Steps
- If your chicken is uncooked, place it in a slow cooker, cover with water, and cook on low for about four hours, then shred. Alternatively, use pre-cooked chicken breast, rotisserie chicken, or canned chicken for convenience.
- In a mini food processor, finely chop the red onion, celery, and baby carrot. After chopping the vegetables, add the cooked chicken and pulse a few times to combine.
- Transfer the chicken and vegetable mixture into a bowl. Stir in mayonnaise and hot sauce until everything is well-coated, adjusting the hot sauce to suit your taste preference.
- To serve, spoon the buffalo chicken salad into lettuce leaves for wraps. Garnish with extra red onion, celery leaves, and additional hot sauce if desired.
Ingredients
- 6 1/2 ounces cooked chicken breast, cubed (or canned chicken)
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion, plus extra for garnish
- 1/2 stalk celery, plus leaves for garnish
- 1 baby carrot
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Frank’s hot sauce (or your preferred brand), with optional extra for more heat
- 6 baby romaine lettuce leaves (or your choice of lettuce for wraps)
- Light blue cheese dressing, optional for topping
Nutritional Values
Calories: 718 kcal | Carbohydrates: 8 g | Protein: 60 g | Fat: 48 g | Saturated Fat: 8 g | Cholesterol: 180 mg | Sodium: 2803 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 5 g
FAQ
- Can I use a different type of chicken for this buffalo chicken salad?
- Absolutely! While this recipe uses cooked chicken breast, you can substitute with chicken thighs, canned chicken, or even rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- What are some alternative ways to serve buffalo chicken salad?
- You can serve it in lettuce wraps, as a sandwich using your favorite bread, wrapped in a wheat tortilla, or over chopped romaine with a drizzle of blue cheese dressing.
- How long can I store buffalo chicken salad in the refrigerator?
- This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for three to four days, making it perfect for meal prep.
- Is it possible to make this buffalo chicken salad spicier?
- Yes, you can increase the spiciness by adding more hot sauce to the buffalo sauce mixture according to your preference.
- Can I omit the blue cheese from the recipe?
- Certainly! If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, you can skip it or replace it with a different cheese of your choice.
Tips
- Optimize Cooking Time: Start with pre-cooked chicken, such as rotisserie or canned, to save time. If raw, consider using a slow cooker for easy shredding.
- Adjust the Heat: Modify the spice level by adding more hot sauce if you prefer a spicier kick, or reduce it for a milder flavor.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy the salad in various ways—wrapped in lettuce, as a sandwich, or stuffed in a tortilla for a wrap.
- Prep for the Week: Prepare a larger batch for meal prepping. The salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days, making it a convenient option for lunches.
Equipment
- Mini Food Processor – Used for chopping the vegetables and chicken.
- Slow Cooker – Optional, but useful if you need to cook the chicken from scratch.
