Buffalo chicken salad is like a party for your taste buds, combining the fiery zest of hot sauce with the creamy coolness of ranch in a way that feels both familiar and adventurous. It’s like that time you discovered your favorite band’s new album—unexpected but instantly captivating. Whether you’re munching on it while watching the latest episode of your favorite series or sharing it with friends at a weekend gathering, this salad is bound to make an impression.
Steps
- If needed, cook the chicken in a slow cooker by covering it with water and cooking on low for 4 hours, then shred it. Alternatively, you can use rotisserie or canned chicken.
- In a mini food processor, finely chop the red onion, celery, and baby carrot. Add the cooked chicken and pulse a few times to combine.
- Transfer the chopped mixture to a bowl. Stir in the mayo and hot sauce, adjusting the hot sauce to your taste preference.
- Serve the buffalo chicken mixture by spooning it into lettuce wraps. Garnish with additional red onion, celery leaves, and a dash of hot sauce if desired.
Ingredients
- 6 1/2 ounces of cooked chicken breast, cubed (from an 8 oz breast) or canned
- 1/4 cup of chopped red onion, plus extra for garnish
- 1/2 stalk of celery, with leaves reserved for garnish
- 1 baby carrot, chopped
- 1/4 cup of mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup of Frank’s hot sauce, or more to taste
- 6 leaves of baby romaine lettuce, or your preferred 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 different types of chicken for this salad?
- Yes, you can use various types of cooked chicken, such as leftover chicken breast, chicken thighs, canned chicken, or rotisserie chicken. If you don’t have pre-cooked chicken, you can prepare it using a slow cooker for hands-off cooking.
- How can I adjust the spice level of the buffalo chicken salad?
- The spiciness of the salad can be adjusted by varying the amount of hot sauce. Use more hot sauce for extra heat or less if you prefer a milder flavor.
- What are some serving suggestions for buffalo chicken salad?
- This salad can be served in multiple ways: as lettuce wraps using baby romaine or butter lettuce, in a sandwich with your preferred bread, in a wheat tortilla wrap, or over chopped romaine as a traditional salad with blue cheese dressing.
- How long can I store buffalo chicken salad in the fridge?
- When stored in an airtight container, the buffalo chicken salad can last for three to four days in the refrigerator, making it a convenient option for meal prep.
- Is blue cheese necessary for this recipe?
- Blue cheese is optional in this recipe. You can top the salad with blue cheese crumbles or light blue cheese dressing if you enjoy the flavor. However, if you’re not a fan, feel free to skip it.
Tips
- Use Pre-Cooked Chicken: Start with pre-cooked chicken like leftover chicken breast, rotisserie chicken, or even canned chicken to save time and make the recipe quicker to prepare.
- Adjust the Spice Level: Customize the heat by adjusting the amount of hot sauce to suit your taste. Add more if you prefer it spicier, or reduce it for a milder flavor.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy the buffalo chicken salad in various ways, such as in lettuce wraps, as a sandwich, or inside a wheat tortilla wrap, depending on your preference.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Consider doubling or tripling the recipe to have ready-to-eat meals throughout the week. The salad can be stored in the fridge for up to three to four days.
Equipment
- Mini Food Processor: For chopping the vegetables and chicken.
- Slow Cooker: If you need to cook chicken from scratch using the slow cooker shredded chicken method.
