Buffalo Chicken Chopped Salad is a bold and flavorful dish that brings together the spiciness of buffalo chicken with the crisp freshness of a variety of vegetables. Itโs the perfect choice for a quick lunch, a satisfying dinner, or as a crowd-pleasing dish at gatherings.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Combines the tangy heat of buffalo chicken with crunchy, fresh vegetables.
- Quick and easy to make, ideal for weeknights.
- Customizable with your favorite toppings and dressings.
- Perfect for meal prepโstays fresh and flavorful in the fridge.
- Balanced flavors and textures for a delicious, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Buffalo sauce
- Romaine lettuce
- Red cabbage
- Carrots
- Celery
- Grape tomatoes
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing
- Optional: Crumbled blue cheese, avocado slices, or crispy tortilla strips for garnish
Directions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, then toss with buffalo sauce.
- Chop the Vegetables: While the chicken cools slightly, chop the romaine lettuce, red cabbage, carrots, celery, and grape tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the chopped vegetables. Top with the buffalo chicken pieces.
- Add Dressing: Drizzle your choice of blue cheese or ranch dressing over the salad.
- Garnish: Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese, avocado slices, or tortilla strips for added flavor and texture.
- Serve: Toss the salad lightly and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Variations
- Protein Swap: Use grilled shrimp, tofu, or crispy chickpeas as a chicken alternative.
- Greens: Mix in kale, spinach, or arugula for added nutrition.
- Dressing: Substitute with honey mustard, a tangy vinaigrette, or a dairy-free ranch.
- Spice Level: Adjust the buffalo sauce for more or less heat, or try a barbecue sauce for a milder flavor.
- Toppings: Add croutons, roasted corn, or even crispy bacon for extra flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the components separately for best results. Keep the chicken, chopped vegetables, and dressing in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm the buffalo chicken gently in a skillet or microwave before adding it to the salad, or enjoy it cold for convenience.
FAQs
1. Can I use rotisserie chicken instead?
Yes, shredded rotisserie chicken works perfectly. Just toss it in buffalo sauce.
2. How can I make this salad dairy-free?
Use a dairy-free dressing and skip the blue cheese.
3. Can I prepare this salad in advance?
Yes, store the chicken, vegetables, and dressing separately to maintain freshness.
4. Whatโs the best buffalo sauce to use?
Choose your favorite brand or make homemade buffalo sauce for a personalized touch.
5. Is this salad gluten-free?
It can be gluten-free if you ensure the buffalo sauce and dressing are gluten-free.
6. Can I add more veggies?
Absolutely! Cucumbers, bell peppers, or radishes are great additions.
7. How spicy is this salad?
The spice level depends on the buffalo sauce used. Choose mild, medium, or hot according to your preference.
8. Can I grill the chicken instead of pan-frying?
Yes, grilling the chicken adds a smoky flavor that complements the salad.
9. What pairs well with this salad?
Serve it with a side of garlic bread or a refreshing iced tea.
10. Can I use bottled dressing?
Of course! Store-bought blue cheese or ranch dressing is convenient and tasty.
Conclusion
Buffalo Chicken Chopped Salad is a vibrant and versatile dish thatโs as easy to prepare as it is delicious. With its bold flavors and satisfying crunch, itโs sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation. Whether you enjoy it as a main course or a side, this salad delivers on taste and simplicity. Give it a tryโyou wonโt be disappointed!
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Buffalo Chicken Chopped Salad
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Chopped Salad is a flavorful and satisfying dish that brings together tender buffalo-seasoned chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy dressing. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner.
Ingredients
For the Buffalo Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
For the Salad:
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)
- 1 avocado, diced
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 2 tablespoons buffalo wing sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Buffalo Chicken:
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and cook the chicken until fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes per side.
- Once cooked, remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before chopping into bite-sized pieces.
- Toss the chopped chicken in buffalo wing sauce until well coated.
- Assemble the Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, celery, and shredded carrots.
- Add the buffalo chicken on top of the salad.
- Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles and diced avocado.
- Prepare the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, mix together the ranch dressing and buffalo wing sauce until smooth.
- Serve:
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving.
- Toss the salad to combine all ingredients and ensure even coating of the dressing.
Notes
- For a lighter option, consider using grilled or baked chicken.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to suit your heat preference.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or red onions as desired.
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