Description
Spicy buffalo chicken salad brings zesty flavors dancing across crisp greens with bold Mediterranean-inspired touches. Creamy blue cheese crumbles and tangy hot sauce elevate this quick weeknight dinner that satisfies intense cravings with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 cups (480 ml) cooked shredded chicken
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) buffalo sauce
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) crumbled blue cheese (optional)
Vegetables:
- 4 cups (960 ml) mixed greens (romaine, spinach, or arugula)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) diced celery
Dressing and Oil:
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) ranch or blue cheese dressing
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring uniform texture for even coating.
- Pour buffalo sauce over the chicken, gently tossing to guarantee complete and consistent coverage of each shred.
- Create a vibrant base of mixed greens on a large platter or distribute among individual serving dishes.
- Distribute the saucy buffalo chicken generously across the verdant greens.
- Scatter fresh cherry tomatoes, delicately shredded carrots, and crisp celery pieces throughout the salad.
- Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over the top for an additional tangy flavor dimension.
- Lightly drizzle high-quality olive oil across the salad to enhance moisture and richness.
- Select either ranch or blue cheese dressing and cascade it smoothly over the entire dish.
- Serve immediately to maintain the salad’s crisp texture and optimal temperature, ensuring maximum flavor enjoyment.
Notes
- Keep chicken moist by letting it cool slightly before mixing with buffalo sauce to prevent drying out.
- Swap blue cheese for feta or goat cheese if you prefer milder flavors or have dairy sensitivities.
- Boost nutrition by adding extra veggies like cucumber or bell peppers for more crunch and color.
- Prepare chicken ahead of time and store separately to quickly assemble the salad when ready to eat, making meal prep easier.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg