Buffalo Chicken Salad

Behind This Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe

It’s giving all the vibes of buffalo chicken wings in this lightened up, low carb, high protein lunch. Unlike many chicken salad recipes that are loaded with mayo, this buffalo chicken salad is made with Greek yogurt and just a tiny amount of light mayo. Frank’s wing sauce and ranch seasoning are added to give that buffalo chicken dip feel, while celery and onion add crunch and flavor.

I rotate through chicken salad recipes pretty frequently as they’re one of my favorite meal prep dishes. This buffalo chicken salad ranks close to the top as my favorite, next to BLT chicken salad. It’s pretty hard not to love, with so much flavor in every bite!

For serving, cucumber rounds or celery sticks provide the perfect crisp and crunchy vessel. Tortilla chips are always a great option, and sometimes I’ll turn it into a buffalo chicken salad sandwich. So many options!

Tips From My Kitchen

• Any shredded chicken works. I use rotisserie chicken to keep things simple, but you can definitely cook chicken breast and shred it yourself. Canned chicken works too, just be sure to drain it well.
• Adjust the spice level. How spicy this buffalo chicken salad is really depends on the buffalo sauce used. Some are much spicier than others. The Greek yogurt and mayo do balance it out quite a bit, so feel free to add more if you like yours with extra heat.
• Taste & adjust. After mixing everything together, I always like to give the salad a taste. Sometimes I add a splash more hot sauce, sometimes I add an extra sprinkle of ranch seasoning.
• Chill before serving. You can absolutely enjoy this buffalo chicken salad immediately after preparing it. However, I think it’s most flavorful after it’s had some time to chill in the fridge. If you can make it advance, definitely do!

Ingredients You’ll Need & Why

We use such simple ingredients for this recipe that you’ll probably only need to grab a few items if you have the pantry and fridge staples. (Be sure to see the recipe card below for measurements.)

• Chicken – To keep things quick and easy, I used rotisserie chicken for this salad. You can also boil chicken tenders or breasts and shred them yourself.
• Buffalo sauce – I used Frank’s wing sauce. Feel free to use any buffalo wing sauce you prefer.
• Greek yogurt – I recommend 2% or higher for more creaminess. It’s lighter than sour cream but still adds that tangy flavor and creamy texture.
• Mayo – I like to use avocado oil or olive oil mayonnaise. Since only a small amount is needed, it’s fine to use whatever you already have n the fridge.
• Ranch seasoning – I like Hidden Valley but any dry powdered ranch seasoning works.
• Celery – Diced celery adds a nice subtle crunch to the salad.
• Onion – I use a combination of red and green onions. Feel free to use just one or the other, keeping in mind that red onion has a stronger flavor and more crunch.
• Blue cheese crumbles – These can be skipped if you’re not a blue cheese person. Feta or shredded cheddar can work too.

What To Serve It With

There are lots of options for eating this buffalo chicken salad! My favorite way is to eat it as a dip with cucumber rounds or spears, celery spears, tortilla chips, or crackers. I love the crunch of fresh veggies and the cool cucumber or celery flavor with the spicy, creamy salad.

It can also be turned into a buffalo chicken salad sandwich on your choice of bread or croissant, or served on a lettuce wrap.

Proper Storage

Buffalo chicken salad is great for meal prep because it lasts in the fridge for 4-5 days. Just keep it tightly covered or in an airtight container and give it a stir before serving. I do not recommend freezing it.

More Chicken Salad Recipes to Try

If you love chicken salad recipes like this one, there are plenty of fun ways to switch things up depending on what flavors you’re craving. The guacamole chicken salad is creamy and fresh with avocado mixed throughout, while the autumn chicken salad leans a little sweeter and cozy with seasonal flavors. For something bolder, the southwest chicken salad packs in smoky, Tex-Mex-inspired flavor, and the jalapeño popper chicken salad brings a creamy, spicy twist with bacon and jalapeños. And if you love tangy flavors, the dill pickle chicken salad is always a huge hit.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe for this meal prep friendly Buffalo Chicken Salad! Be sure to comment below with any questions or feedback!

If you make these or any other recipes, don’t forget to tag me on IG @BadBatchBaking to be featured on my story. Seeing your recreations makes my day!