Buffalo Chicken Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing is a bold, flavorful, and satisfying salad that combines tender chicken tossed in spicy buffalo sauce with crisp greens, crunchy vegetables, and creamy blue cheese dressing. This salad is a perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and freshness, making it a filling lunch or dinner option.

The spicy chicken paired with cool, tangy blue cheese dressing creates a harmonious flavor profile that is both indulgent and wholesome.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s a perfect combination of spicy, creamy, and fresh flavors. The buffalo chicken adds a punch of heat while the blue cheese dressing cools it down, creating a balanced taste in every bite. It’s easy to prepare, satisfying, and packed with protein and nutrients from the fresh vegetables.

Why This Is a Must-Try Dish

This dish is a must-try because it elevates a classic buffalo chicken flavor into a healthy, vibrant salad. It’s versatile, quick to assemble, and works well for meal prep, lunchboxes, or a dinner that feels both indulgent and nutritious. The combination of textures—crisp lettuce, tender chicken, creamy dressing, and crunchy toppings—makes it irresistible.

Recipe Overview

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories (Approx.): 400 calories per serving
Course: Main Course / Salad
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Buffalo Chicken

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• ¼ cup buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Salad

• 6 cups romaine lettuce or mixed greens, washed and chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• ¼ cup celery, chopped
• ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
• Optional: ¼ cup croutons for crunch

For the Blue Cheese Dressing

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1–2 tablespoons milk to thin, if needed

Cooking Directions

Buffalo Chicken

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Season chicken with salt and black pepper.
3. Cook chicken 6–7 minutes per side until fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C).
4. Remove from heat and toss with buffalo sauce until evenly coated.

Blue Cheese Dressing

1. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, blue cheese, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Whisk until smooth.
3. Add milk gradually until desired consistency is reached.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Salad Assembly

1. In a large bowl, combine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, carrots, and celery.
2. Slice buffalo chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces and add to the salad.
3. Drizzle blue cheese dressing over the salad.
4. Toss gently to combine.
5. Sprinkle with additional blue cheese crumbles and croutons if using.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare Buffalo Chicken

• Heat a skillet with olive oil.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper.
• Cook until golden and fully cooked.
• Toss with buffalo sauce.

Step 2: Make Blue Cheese Dressing

• Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, blue cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
• Adjust consistency with milk.

Step 3: Prepare Vegetables

• Wash and chop lettuce.
• Slice tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and celery.
• Shred carrots.

Step 4: Assemble Salad

• Combine all vegetables in a large bowl.
• Add sliced buffalo chicken.
• Drizzle with blue cheese dressing.
• Toss gently.
• Top with extra blue cheese crumbles and optional croutons.

How to Serve This Recipe

Serve the Buffalo Chicken Salad immediately while the chicken is warm. Pair with toasted bread, garlic bread, or keep it light with just the salad. It works well as a main course lunch or dinner.

Recipe Tips

• Use fresh buffalo sauce or homemade for best flavor.
• Slice chicken after resting for juicier texture.
• Toss salad gently to prevent bruising lettuce.
• Adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less buffalo sauce.
• For extra protein, add boiled eggs or chickpeas.

Variations

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad
Grill the chicken instead of pan-cooking for a smoky flavor.

Spicy Ranch Twist
Mix blue cheese with ranch dressing for a milder flavor.

Keto-Friendly Version
Skip croutons and use extra vegetables or avocado slices.

Wrap Version
Use a large tortilla to turn the salad into a buffalo chicken wrap.

Sheet-Pan Chicken
Cook chicken with vegetables on a sheet pan, then toss in buffalo sauce for less cleanup.

Freezing and Storage

Refrigeration: Store leftover buffalo chicken and vegetables separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days. Dressing can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Freezing: Do not freeze salad with dressing; chicken can be frozen separately for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat chicken gently before adding to salad.

Special Equipment Needed

• Skillet for cooking chicken
• Mixing bowls for salad and dressing
• Knife and cutting board
• Whisk for dressing

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, prepare chicken and dressing ahead, but assemble salad just before serving to keep lettuce crisp.

Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, shredded rotisserie chicken can be tossed with buffalo sauce.

Can I make a milder version?
Use half the amount of buffalo sauce or mix with a little melted butter.

Can this salad be made vegan?
Replace chicken with crispy tofu or tempeh, and use vegan mayo and plant-based blue cheese.

What other toppings work well?
Avocado slices, roasted corn, or sliced bell peppers add extra flavor and texture.

Conclusion

Buffalo Chicken Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing is a vibrant, satisfying, and protein-packed salad that combines heat, creaminess, and freshness. Quick to prepare yet full of flavor, it’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or game-day meals. The tender buffalo chicken paired with crisp vegetables and creamy dressing creates a balanced and indulgent meal that is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.