This Buffalo Chicken Salad is an easy way to “spice” up your weekday lunches or throw together a quick, nutritious meal!
When making the commitment to prepare healthy lunches for the week ahead, many of us gravitate towards the classic option of grilled chicken and salad. While this can certainly be a delicious meal that supports our health goals, after so many weeks and months it can also get a little… well, boring! As you’re searching for other healthy lunch ideas to get out of your grilled chicken lunch rut, you might be overlooking an obvious solution: just spice up that chicken and turn it into a Buffalo chicken salad!
This recipe really is a no-brainer to add to your lunch rotation. Not only is it simple to throw together and prep ahead of time, but it’s also nutritious, filling, and packs that flavorful punch that will have you looking forward to lunchtime. It’s a versatile protein that can be served in a number of ways, and the best part is that it stays fresh and ready to eat for days when stored properly. Preparing this Buffalo chicken salad is a convenient way to fuel your body during your busiest weeks, without sacrificing flavor. Win, win!
If you’re getting hung up on the word “Buffalo” and worried that this option might be too spicy, rest assured that this recipe keeps the kick on the milder side. You can also adjust the recipe to your liking, so that you’re adding the flavor you’re looking for without going overboard on spice and heat. There really are so many ways to experiment and tweak the recipe to your liking!
Buffalo Chicken Salad: Simple Yet Versatile
Depending on what you’re looking for, this recipe can be modified to meet your specific preferences or needs. If you’re someone looking for options that will pack added protein into your lunch, you can choose to substitute Greek yogurt or cottage cheese for the mayonnaise. Full-fat or nonfat options work just as well, depending on your dietary needs. If you’re a fan of flavor but don’t love all things spicy, you can also reduce the amount of hot sauce added to the mixture to ensure the spice level is to your liking. (Or if you’re aiming for spicier, feel free to add extra!)
Similarly, blue cheese is another ingredient that can be added directly into the mixture. Although it’s typically used as an optional topping or side dressing, you can consider adding this as well to help bring down spiciness, or to simply add to the flavor profile of the salad. Again, it all comes down to preference! The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity and versatility.
Ingredients
- 6 1/2 ounces cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 celery stalk, diced
- 1 baby carrot, shredded
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup hot sauce, or to taste
- 6 leaves romaine lettuce, or preferred lettuce for wraps
- Blue cheese dressing, optional for topping
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Salad
Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, chopped red onion, diced celery, and shredded carrot.
Step 2: Add mayonnaise and hot sauce to the chicken mixture. Stir well to combine, adjusting the hot sauce to your preferred level of spiciness.
Step 3: Lay out the lettuce leaves and spoon the chicken mixture into each leaf, dividing it evenly among the leaves.
Step 4: If desired, drizzle with blue cheese dressing and garnish with additional red onion or celery leaves.
Step 5: Serve immediately as lettuce wraps or store in the refrigerator for a quick grab-and-go lunch option.
FAQs & Tips
How Should I Store Buffalo Chicken Salad?
You can store leftovers in the refrigerator in a covered, airtight container for up to 4 days. When storing, you’ll want to keep the Buffalo chicken mixture separate from the lettuce. You can add the lettuce and any additional dressing or toppings when ready to serve.
Can I Make a Batch Ahead Of Time?
This recipe is a GREAT grab-and-go option to have ready in the fridge! If following the storage suggestions above, you can either keep a big batch made in one large container, or do a full meal prep and store in individual serving containers. Just be sure all containers are airtight, and your Buffalo chicken salad will stay fresh in the fridge for days. You can even enjoy it chilled!
Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways to enjoy this Buffalo chicken salad. For example, though the recipe calls for larger leaves of lettuce to serve as beds or wraps for the chicken, you can instead choose to chop or shred the lettuce and serve it all together in your favorite tortilla wrap! Or swap the wrap for warm, toasted bread and turn it into a hearty sandwich. These can be great options if you’re looking to make your meal even more filling.
For even more Buffalo-flavored inspo, take a look at these recipes for Buffalo Chicken Pasta, Buffalo Chicken Tacos, or Buffalo Chicken Sliders, too! And if this recipe happens to kick start an obsession with flavorful salads, be sure to try out this Mexican Avocado Chicken Salad or Chopped Chicken Salad next!
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 6 1/2 ounces cooked chicken breast shredded
- 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
- 1/2 celery stalk diced
- 1 baby carrot shredded
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup hot sauce or to taste
- 6 leaves romaine lettuce or preferred lettuce for wraps
- Blue cheese dressing optional for topping
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, chopped red onion, diced celery, and shredded carrot.
- Add mayonnaise and hot sauce to the chicken mixture. Stir well to combine, adjusting the hot sauce to your preferred level of spiciness.
- Lay out the lettuce leaves and spoon the chicken mixture into each leaf, dividing it evenly among the leaves.
- If desired, drizzle with blue cheese dressing and garnish with additional red onion or celery leaves.
- Serve immediately as lettuce wraps or store in the refrigerator for a quick grab-and-go lunch option.
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