Fiery Buffalo Chicken Crunch

Inspired by the beloved Buffalo Wings, Buffalo Chicken Salad is a deconstructed, boneless, and less messy take on the classic. It brings together all your favorite Buffalo flavors – spicy chicken, tangy blue cheese, and creamy ranch – atop a bed of fresh greens and other vibrant vegetables. It’s designed to satisfy your wings craving in a lighter, more convenient form.

1. To Assemble salad: Start with a generous layer of crisp iceberg lettuce (or Romaine, or your preferred mixed greens) as the base.
2. Top with colorful and flavorful ingredients: evenly distribute sliced avocados, diced purple onion, chunks of Buffalo chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, and crumbled blue cheese.
3. Drizzle a generous amount of creamy ranch dressing over the entire salad.
4. Serve immediately for the best fresh taste.
5. To Meal Prep: Divide the prepared ingredients into individual meal prep containers. To prevent avocados from browning, drizzle them with a bit of lemon juice. Add ranch dressing just before serving to keep the greens from getting soggy.

If you’re not a fan of store-bought Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing or simply prefer a fresher taste, making homemade ranch dressing is incredibly easy and highly rewarding!

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (for a richer, creamier base)
• 1/4 cup milk (adjust for desired consistency)
• 1 Tbsp dried parsley (for classic ranch flavor)
• 1 tsp dried dill (adds a distinctive aromatic note)
• Pinch of salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (for savory depth)
• Optional: 1 tsp onion powder, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, or fresh chives for extra flavor.

Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes for the flavors to meld.

This is a common point of confusion! Both “Blue Cheese” and “Bleu Cheese” are correct spellings and widely accepted terms for the distinct blue-veined aged cheese. The spelling “bleu” is French, reflecting its European origins. Wikipedia, for instance, acknowledges both terms. So, whether you prefer the English “Blue Cheese” or the French-influenced “Bleu Cheese,” you’re referring to the same delicious, pungent dairy product that is essential for this salad.

Frank’s Red Hot Sauce is a highly popular, cayenne pepper-based hot sauce renowned for its balanced flavor and moderate heat. Unlike some other hot sauces that focus solely on extreme spice, Frank’s incorporates a blend of spices like paprika, garlic powder, and salt, giving it a much richer and more complex flavor profile than, say, Tabasco. This unique blend makes it the quintessential and key ingredient for authentic Buffalo Wings and, by extension, our delicious Buffalo Chicken Salad.

The versatility of slow cooker buffalo chicken is incredible. Whether you cook it longer for shredded chicken or for the recommended 2 hours for perfect slices or chunks, there’s a delicious application for every craving:

• Lettuce Wraps: A light and healthy option.
• Quesadillas: Mix with cheese for a spicy, gooey delight.
• Tacos: A zesty filling for your next taco night.
• Wraps: Combine with fresh veggies and ranch in a tortilla.
• Egg Rolls: A creative and surprising appetizer.
• Party Dip: Mix with cream cheese and other ingredients for a famous Buffalo chicken dip.
• Mac and Cheese: Elevate a classic comfort food with a spicy kick.
• Bun Sandwiches: Serve on a toasted bun with coleslaw for a hearty meal.
• Salads: (Like this recipe!) with crumbled blue cheese and Ranch Dressing!

Don’t hesitate to add Buffalo Chicken to any recipe when you’re craving extra heat and a boost of flavor. It truly transforms ordinary dishes!

Absolutely! While this recipe primarily calls for chicken breasts, chicken thighs can easily be interchanged. Chicken thighs are known for being naturally juicier and more flavorful, making them an excellent alternative if you prefer dark meat or a richer texture. The cooking times might need slight adjustment, but the core preparation remains the same, ensuring a delicious outcome.

For this recipe, which typically uses 2-3 chicken breasts (around 1 pound), a 2-quart slow cooker is perfectly sized. It allows the chicken to be submerged in the sauce, ensuring even cooking and maximum flavor infusion. If you plan to double the recipe or cook a larger quantity of chicken breasts (e.g., 2-3 pounds), we recommend opting for a larger slow cooker, such as a 5-quart model, to accommodate the increased volume comfortably.

The slow cooker is just one fantastic method for preparing Buffalo chicken. You can also achieve delicious results using your oven, stovetop, or even a grill!

Slow Cooker Instructions: Place chicken breasts and hot sauce into a 2-quart slow cooker. Cook on high for 2 hours for tender, sliceable chicken. For shredded chicken, cook on low for 4-6 hours until it easily pulls apart with forks.

Stovetop Instructions: Marinate chicken breasts in hot sauce for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours). Discard excess marinade. Sear the chicken in a skillet on both sides over medium-high heat until nicely browned and cooked through, typically 6-8 minutes per side, depending on thickness. You can also simmer the chicken with some fresh hot sauce and a splash of water or broth at the end until tender and fully cooked.

Oven Instructions: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place chicken breasts into a baking dish and pour hot sauce generously over the top. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing or chunking.

Instant Pot Instructions: Place chicken breasts and Frank’s Red Hot Sauce into your Instant Pot. Select the slow cooker button and follow the recipe time as a guide. If you prefer to use pressure cooking for a quicker meal, add at least 1/2 cup more of the hot sauce (or chicken broth) to ensure enough liquid to prevent the “burn” signal from activating. Cook on high pressure for 8-10 minutes, followed by a natural release for 5 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.

While Frank’s Red Hot Sauce has been specifically tested and recommended for this recipe due to its balanced flavor profile, you can certainly experiment with other hot sauces. For a similar authentic Buffalo flavor, look for Louisiana-style hot sauces that are primarily made from cayenne peppers. Brands like Cholula, Crystals, and Tabasco (though slightly different in flavor intensity) could be considered. Sriracha offers a different flavor profile entirely, more garlic-forward and sweeter. Remember that the flavor and heat level will vary significantly with different sauces, so adjust to your personal preference.

Buffalo Chicken Salad:

How To Make Buffalo Chicken & Assemble Salad:

• Prepare your Buffalo Chicken using our recommended slow cooker method or one of the alternative cooking methods (Instant Pot, Oven, Stovetop) detailed above. Once cooked, allow it to cool slightly, then cut or chunk the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
• To assemble the salad, take four individual bowls or one large salad bowl. Scoop approximately 1 cup of chopped iceberg lettuce into each bowl as the base.
• Evenly distribute the remaining toppings over the lettuce: add 1/4 of a sliced avocado to each serving, along with diced purple onion, halved cherry tomatoes, your prepared Buffalo chicken chunks, and a generous sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese.
• Drizzle with your choice of ranch dressing (about 2 tablespoons per serving) just before serving. Enjoy this flavorful and satisfying Buffalo Chicken Salad!

• Serving Suggestions: This recipe is designed to make 4 individual salad bowls, perfect for single servings, or one large communal salad if desired.
• Dressing Suggestions: For optimal flavor and moisture, we recommend drizzling approximately 2 tablespoons of ranch dressing over each cup of lettuce with toppings. Adjust to your personal preference.
• Blue Cheese Intensity: Blue cheese has a strong, distinctive aroma and flavor. If you prefer a milder taste, you can slightly reduce the amount of blue cheese used, or opt for a milder variety.
• Customize Your Greens: Feel free to mix in 2 cups of fresh spinach or arugula with your iceberg lettuce for added nutrients and a different flavor profile.
• Meal Prep Tips: For meal prepping, divide all salad components into separate containers. To prevent avocados from browning, drizzle them lightly with lemon juice before sealing. Store the dressing separately and add it just before you are ready to eat to maintain the crispness of your salad.

Nutrition per serving