Are you tired of boring, bland salads that leave you hungry and unsatisfied? Get ready to revolutionize your lunch routine with the most mouthwatering, flavor-packed Buffalo Chicken Wing Salad that combines the irresistible heat of classic buffalo wings with fresh, crisp greens. This isn't just a salad – it's a culinary adventure that transforms the beloved bar food classic into a healthier, yet equally delicious meal that will have everyone at the table begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 500g chicken wings
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup celery, diced
- 1/4 cup carrots, shredded
- Ranch dressing for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin. Season wings with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Arrange chicken wings in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching each other for even cooking.
- Bake wings for 20-25 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove wings from oven and immediately toss in buffalo sauce, coating evenly and thoroughly.
- While wings are cooking, chop romaine lettuce and prepare vegetables by dicing celery and shredding carrots.
- In a large salad bowl, combine chopped lettuce, diced celery, and shredded carrots.
- Let buffalo wings cool slightly for 3-5 minutes after saucing to prevent wilting the lettuce.
- Arrange buffalo wings on top of the prepared salad greens.
- Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over the salad for added flavor and texture.
- Drizzle ranch dressing over the salad just before serving.
- Serve immediately while wings are still warm and crispy.
Tips
- Pat the chicken wings completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness. Moisture is the enemy of crispy skin!
- Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken wings reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) – no guesswork needed.
- Let the wings cool slightly after tossing in buffalo sauce to prevent wilting the fresh salad greens.
- For extra flavor, consider making your own buffalo sauce or using a premium brand for more depth of taste.
- If you want to reduce calories, you can grill or air fry the chicken wings instead of baking.
- Prep your vegetables in advance to make assembly quick and easy when you're ready to serve.
- For a low-carb option, you can replace ranch dressing with a lighter blue cheese vinaigrette.
- Always serve immediately to enjoy the wings while they're still warm and the salad remains crisp and fresh.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 120mg
