Ingredients
Fresh Vegetables
- 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 4 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 seedless cucumber, peeled and chopped
- 8 to 10 cups chopped romaine hearts
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
Protein Choices
For the salad, use 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can cook it fresh or use pre-cooked chicken.
Dressing Options
The dressing makes the salad special. Use buffalo wing sauce, like Frank’s Red Hot Wing Sauce, and homemade ranch dressing. Adding crumbled blue cheese also boosts the flavor.
Instructions
Step-by-Step Preparation
To make a tasty buffalo chicken salad, follow these easy steps. First, cook the chicken by grilling, baking, or sautéing. This recipe can be ready in 20 minutes or less, making it a quick meal.
Chicken tenders are best for this salad because they cook fast and are the same size. The recipe makes about 6 servings, with 4 ounces of chicken per serving.
Start by heating your oven to 425°F. Bake the chicken tenders until they reach 165 degrees F. While the chicken cooks, chop fresh veggies like carrots, bell peppers, red onion, and green onion.
Cooking the Chicken
Cooking the chicken is key to a great buffalo chicken salad. Season the chicken with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Let it rest for a few minutes before chopping it into small pieces.
Chopping the Vegetables
Chopping the veggies is another important step. Use carrots, bell peppers, red onion, and green onion. Chop them into small pieces so they mix well with the chicken and dressing.
Mixing the Salad
The last step is mixing the salad. Combine the cooked chicken, chopped veggies, and your choice of dressing. You can use avocado ranch or blue cheese crumbles. The dressing has avocado, yogurt, lemon juice, honey, garlic, chives, dill, parsley, and milk.
You can also add more veggies like snap peas, shredded brussels sprouts, or chopped broccoli. This spicy chicken salad is easy to make at home. It’s a quick and delicious meal with chicken, veggies, and dressing.
Notes
Tips for the Perfect Salad
To make a tasty buffalo chicken salad with ranch dressing, balance the flavors and use fresh ingredients. You can adjust the spiciness to your liking. Add your favorite toppings, like blue cheese crumbles or chopped onions. A healthy version can be made with grilled chicken and various veggies, perfect for a quick meal.
For buffalo chicken salad wraps, use large lettuce leaves to cut calories. You can also tailor the recipe to fit your diet by using pre-cooked chicken or making it from scratch. Here are some tips for the perfect salad:
- Use fresh and crispy veggies, like romaine lettuce and carrots.
- Add different toppings, such as cherry tomatoes and avocado.
- Try homemade blue cheese dressing or a store-bought one.
A buffalo chicken salad with ranch dressing can be a tasty and fulfilling meal. With a few simple tips, you can make a healthy and delicious salad. Balance the flavors and use fresh ingredients for a salad that’s great for any time.
Balancing Flavors
It’s important to balance the flavors in your buffalo chicken salad. Mix the spicy buffalo sauce with creamy ranch dressing. Add various veggies and toppings for a delicious meal.
Ingredient Substitutions
To make your buffalo chicken salad healthier, try some substitutions. Use grilled chicken instead of fried, and choose low-fat ranch dressing. Add veggies like carrots and celery to boost the salad’s nutrition.
Serving Suggestions
There are many ways to serve your buffalo chicken salad. You can make buffalo chicken salad wraps or enjoy it as a traditional salad. For a quick meal, pair it with crackers or chips. Or, serve it with veggies or a fruit salad for a bigger side.
To enhance your buffalo chicken salad recipe, add nuts or seeds. You can also add your favorite toppings like blue cheese or avocado. For a twist, try a yogurt-based dressing for a creamy taste.
- As a wrap with your favorite toppings
- As a salad with a side of crackers or chips
- As a dip for vegetables or fruit
- As a topping for a bed of greens or a bed of quinoa
For more ideas, check out other recipes. Get creative with your buffalo chicken salad wraps and easy buffalo chicken salad!
| Salad Component | Prep Time | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 11 min | 15 min |
| Veggies | 5 min | 0 min |
| Dressing | 5 min | 0 min |
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking, Tossing, Drizzling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: buffalo chicken, salad, mixed greens, easy recipe