Bold & Tangy Zesty Buffalo Chicken Chopped Salad Recipe

Crisp lettuce meets spicy buffalo chicken in a zesty buffalo chicken chopped salad that promises a flavor explosion on your plate.

Bold and tangy, this salad delivers a punch of heat with every refreshing bite.

Tender chicken pieces coated in classic buffalo sauce create a mouthwatering centerpiece.

Cool blue cheese crumbles and fresh vegetables balance the fiery kick of the buffalo-style protein.

Crunchy romaine and colorful toppings transform this salad from simple to spectacular.

Forget boring lunch routines and dive into a meal that satisfies cravings and nourishes your body.

This recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor straight to your kitchen in minutes.

Tools for Crisp Chopped Chicken Salads

• Grill or Skillet: Essential for cooking chicken evenly and getting nice char marks.
• Small Bowl: Perfect for mixing buffalo sauce and preparing the glaze.
• Large Salad Bowl: Needed for combining and tossing all salad ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp knife for chopping romaine, vegetables, and slicing chicken.
• Cutting Board: Clean surface for preparing ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: For accurately measuring spices and seasonings.
• Tongs: Great for flipping chicken and handling hot meat safely.
• Meat Thermometer: Ensures chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165F/74C.

Toss Buffalo Chicken with Chopped Veggies

• Fire Up the Chicken

Sizzle chicken breasts on a hot grill or skillet, seasoning with zesty spices. Cook until golden and perfectly done, ensuring a juicy interior.

• Drench in Spicy Goodness

Coat the cooked chicken in fiery buffalo sauce, letting the flavors mingle and dance. Slice into tempting bite-sized morsels.

• Create Your Veggie Canvas

Toss together a vibrant mix of crisp romaine, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, colorful carrots, refreshing celery, and zesty red onion in a large bowl.

• Layer and Dress

Crown your veggie base with the spicy chicken pieces. Sprinkle with creamy cheese and drizzle with cool ranch or tangy blue cheese dressing. Add extra buffalo sauce for those who crave more heat.

• Dive Right In

Serve the salad immediately, inviting everyone to enjoy the explosive flavor combination. Perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner that packs a punch.

Tips to Keep Greens from Wilting in Sauce

• Adjust buffalo sauce heat level by mixing mild and hot sauces to create your perfect custom spiciness that matches your taste buds.
• Prep chicken and chop vegetables separately in advance, storing them in sealed containers to create a quick 5-minute assembly when you're ready to eat.
• Replace romaine with cauliflower rice or mixed greens for a lower-carbohydrate version that keeps the same delicious buffalo chicken flavor profile.
• Swap chicken with grilled tofu, shredded rotisserie chicken, or baked salmon to create alternative protein versions that suit different dietary preferences.
• Use dairy-free ranch dressing and omit cheese, replacing blue cheese with dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast or cashew crumbles for a completely lactose-free experience.

Serve Cold with Ranch or Blue Cheese

• Spicy Game Night Centerpiece: Transform this buffalo chicken salad into a show-stopping appetizer for sports viewing parties, arranging ingredients in separate sections for guests to customize their plates.
• Protein-Packed Lunch Prep: Pack chicken and salad components separately to maintain crispness, creating a meal-prepped lunch that stays fresh and delicious throughout the workweek.
• Cool and Creamy Pairing: Serve alongside crisp celery sticks and extra blue cheese or ranch dressing to balance the spicy buffalo chicken, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the heat.
• Crowd-Pleasing Variation: Swap ranch for lighter Greek yogurt dressing and add avocado chunks for a healthier twist that doesn't compromise on flavor or satisfaction.

Store Salad Components Separately

• Store remaining salad components separately in airtight containers to maintain crispness. Keep chicken and vegetables apart to prevent soggy textures.
• Consume prepared salad within 1-2 days for optimal taste and quality. Chicken remains safe for refrigerated storage up to 3-4 days when sealed properly.
• Chop vegetables and cook chicken in advance during weekly meal prep. Assemble salad just before serving to retain maximum crunchiness and flavor integrity.
• Cooked buffalo chicken can be frozen for future meals. Place in freezer-safe containers, label with date, and store up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating gently.

FAQs

• What makes buffalo chicken different from regular grilled chicken?

Buffalo chicken is uniquely seasoned with buffalo sauce, which gives it a spicy, tangy flavor profile that traditional grilled chicken doesn’t have. The sauce typically contains hot sauce and creates a distinctive reddish coating on the meat.

• Is buffalo sauce very spicy?

Buffalo sauce ranges from mild to hot, depending on the brand and type. You can control the spice level by choosing mild, medium, or hot buffalo sauce, or by mixing different hot sauce brands to suit your heat tolerance.

• Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this salad?

Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken. Simply shred or dice the chicken and toss it in buffalo sauce for the same flavor and convenience. This is a great way to repurpose leftover chicken quickly.

• What are some protein alternatives if I don't want chicken?

You can substitute chicken with grilled shrimp, tofu, or even crispy chickpeas. Each alternative will absorb the buffalo sauce differently but can still provide a delicious spicy element to the salad.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 4

Buffalo Chopped Salad Ingredient Rundown

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein source with a tender texture, choose fresh, organic cuts for optimal flavor and quality.
• Blue Cheese or Cheddar Cheese: Adds creamy richness and tangy depth, select high-quality artisanal varieties for enhanced taste.

• Romaine Lettuce: Crisp and refreshing green base, look for bright green leaves without wilting.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Burst of sweetness and color, select ripe, firm tomatoes with vibrant red hue.
• Cucumber: Provides cool, hydrating crunch, choose firm specimens without soft spots.
• Shredded Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant orange color, use fresh, crunchy carrots.
• Celery: Brings subtle peppery notes and extra crunch, select stalks that are firm and bright green.
• Red Onion: Delivers sharp, zesty flavor, choose firm onions with deep purple skin.

• Olive Oil: Helps chicken cook evenly and adds subtle richness, use extra virgin for best flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Enhances savory depth, choose high-quality, freshly ground version.
• Paprika: Adds warm, slightly sweet undertone, select Hungarian or Spanish varieties for robust flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that balance and elevate overall taste.
• Buffalo Sauce: Provides signature spicy kick, choose your preferred heat level from mild to extra hot.
• Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing: Creamy finishing touch, select artisanal or homemade versions for superior taste.

Zesty Buffalo Chicken Chopped Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Zesty Buffalo Chicken Chopped Salad merges spicy grilled chicken with crisp romaine and tangy blue cheese dressing. Cool ranch crumbles and fresh herbs provide perfect balance for hearty summer meals.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 (907 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ¼ cup buffalo sauce (Franks RedHot or your favorite brand)
• 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• ½ cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• ½ cup celery, diced
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp buffalo sauce (optional, for extra spice)
• ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles or shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Protein Preparation: Season chicken breasts with a robust spice blend, ensuring maximum flavor infusion.
2. Chicken Cooking: Grill or pan-sear chicken at medium heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F, maintaining juicy texture and preventing moisture loss.
3. Buffalo Transformation: Shred or slice cooked chicken and coat thoroughly with zesty hot sauce, allowing complete flavor absorption.
4. Salad Foundation: Chop romaine lettuce and combine with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, celery, and red onion to create a vibrant vegetable base.
5. Assembly: Artfully arrange buffalo-glazed chicken over vegetable mixture, ensuring even distribution and visual appeal.
6. Cheese Enhancement: Generously sprinkle crumbled blue cheese or shredded cheddar across the salad, adding creamy and tangy dimensions.
7. Dressing Finale: Drizzle ranch or blue cheese dressing over the entire dish, optional extra buffalo sauce for heat enthusiasts, and gently toss to integrate all components.

Notes

Select Top-Quality Chicken: Choose fresh, organic chicken breasts with uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.

Manage Spice Intensity: Adjust buffalo sauce quantity based on personal heat tolerance, starting with moderate amounts and gradually increasing for desired spiciness.

Prevent Chicken Dryness: Use meat thermometer to check internal temperature (165°F), letting chicken rest 3-5 minutes after cooking to retain moistness and prevent toughness.

Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap blue cheese with dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast for vegan version, or use Greek yogurt ranch for lower-fat dressing option.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 80mg