Craving a mouthwatering meal that combines the fiery kick of buffalo chicken with the cool, crisp freshness of a salad? Look no further! Our Blue Cheese Buffalo Chicken Salad is about to revolutionize your lunch and dinner routine. Imagine tender, buffalo-sauced chicken nestled on a bed of vibrant mixed greens, punctuated with tangy blue cheese crumbles and a creamy ranch drizzle – this isn't just a salad, it's a flavor explosion waiting to happen!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup celery, diced
Instructions
- Begin by ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and shredded. If using leftover or pre-cooked chicken, ensure it's at room temperature.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce, thoroughly coating each piece of chicken to ensure even flavor distribution.
- Prepare the salad base by washing and drying the mixed greens thoroughly. Place the greens in a large serving bowl or on individual plates.
- Dice the celery into small, uniform pieces, ensuring they are approximately 1/4 inch in size for consistent texture.
- Sprinkle the buffalo-coated chicken evenly over the prepared mixed greens.
- Distribute the diced celery across the salad to add a fresh, crisp element.
- Crumble the blue cheese over the salad, allowing for even coverage and maximum flavor integration.
- Drizzle ranch dressing over the entire salad, using a zigzag motion to ensure balanced dressing distribution.
- Gently toss the salad or serve as is, allowing guests to mix the ingredients to their preference.
- Serve immediately to maintain the salad's crisp texture and prevent wilting of the greens.
Tips
- Temperature Matters: Always use room temperature chicken to ensure the buffalo sauce coats evenly and the salad stays at an optimal serving temperature.
- Sauce Control: Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to your heat preference. For those who love extra spice, add more; for milder palates, use less.
- Cheese Pro Tip: For the most intense blue cheese flavor, use high-quality, artisanal blue cheese crumbles.
- Prep Ahead: You can shred and buffalo-coat the chicken up to a day in advance, making meal prep a breeze.
- Dressing Hack: For a lighter version, mix the ranch dressing with a bit of Greek yogurt to reduce calories without sacrificing flavor.
- Crunch Factor: For added texture, consider topping the salad with crispy tortilla strips or toasted breadcrumbs.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 110mg
