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This buffalo chicken salad is a little tangy and a little spicy, with a lot of bold flavor. The creamy buffalo sauce clings to tender chicken and crisp veggies for a satisfying crunch in every bite. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or looking for a quick lunch, this salad is quick, easy, and versatile.

JUMP TO RECIPE

A bowl of chopped chicken salad mixed with a creamy dressing and crumbled blue cheese, served on a bed of fresh romaine lettuce leaves. It's buffalo chicken salad.

about this buffalo chicken salad

If you love the flavors of Buffalo wings but wish they were a little easier to eat with a fork, this salad is for you. Buffalo wings just so happen to be one of my favorite appetizers of all time, so turning them into an easy lunch is one of the highlights of year.

The base of this salad is a creamy and zesty sauce made with mayonnaise and Frank’s hot sauce, plus a little seasoning. Tender chunks of chicken get tossed in the sauce along with crispy vegetables and a nice handful of blue cheese crumbles. In every bite, you get that classic Buffalo flavor, but there’s no messy sauce all over your fingers and mouth.

This recipe is totally customizable, too. Want it spicier? Add more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne. Prefer a lighter version? Swap half of the mayo for Greek yogurt. You can even add extra veggies like bell peppers or shredded cabbage for added crunch.

Serve it on top of a bed of lettuce for a light, protein-packed lunch or spoon it into wraps or sandwiches for a quick grab-and-go meal. No matter how you make it, it’s guaranteed to be a hit.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This salad is packed with bold, tangy flavor, a satisfying crunch in every bite, and comes together in just minutes:

Bold, tangy, and spicy flavors in every bite
Quick and easy to make with simple ingredients
Ideal for meal prep or an easy dinner during the week
Fully customizable to your heat preference and/or preferred texture

A top-down view of bowls containing diced chicken, mayonnaise, hot sauce, blue cheese, shredded carrots, chopped parsley, seasonings, and veggies—perfect inspiration for meal prep for buffalo chicken salad.

ingredients

Mayonnaise – Full-fat mayonnaise works best, but you can also use light mayonnaise if preferred. To make it even lighter swap half of the mayo for Greek yogurt.

Frank’s hot sauce – This gives you the classic Buffalo flavor! You can also swap for another Buffalo hot sauce if you prefer.

Spices – A combination of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper gives extra flavor to the dressing.

Chicken – Use cooked chicken breast for this recipe! It can be diced or shredded. Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut to make this recipe even faster if you don’t have time to cook your own chicken.

Vegetables – You’ll need a combination of chopped red onion, celery and carrots. You could also throw in some bell peppers or chopped cucumbers, if you want more veggies.

Green onion – Thinly sliced green onion gives an added pop of freshness to the salad.

Parsley – Use freshly chopped parsley leaves for the best flavor. Generally, I prefer to use flat-leaf Italian parsley.

Blue cheese – while optional, the blue cheese gives this chicken salad a creamy tanginess.

this recipe’s must-haves

Prep your ingredients with a sharp chef’s knife and cutting board.

To make the dressing, you will need a large mixing bowl from a set of stainless steel mixing bowls and a whisk.

Use airtight storage containers to store any leftovers, especially if you are making this for meal prep.

A glass bowl filled with onion, celery, shredded carrot, green onion, parsley, and crumbled cheese, all arranged in separate sections on top of a creamy mixture.

how to make this buffalo chicken salad

make the sauce

In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.

make the salad

Add the chicken, red onion, celery, carrots, green onions, parsley, and blue cheese (if using) to the bowl with the dressing. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated in the sauce.

serve

Serve immediately over greens like chopped romaine, in wraps, or with crackers. Or cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Close-up of a creamy, orange-tinted salad with chunks of chicken, diced vegetables, and chopped herbs mixed together in a bowl.

Tips for Success

Use cooked chicken that is tender and juicy for the best texture. Rotisserie chicken is always a killer option!

Taste and adjust the sauce to your preferred heat before mixing with the chicken and vegetables.

Chop veggies uniformly so you can get some in every single forkful.

Chill before serving if you want the flavors to meld together – it tastes even better the next day!

variations

Lighter Version: Substitute half of the mayo for Greek yogurt.

Spicier: Add extra hot sauce or a dash of cayenne.

Add-Ins: Bell peppers, shredded cabbage, or avocado for extra crunch and flavor.

Serving Style: Lettuce cups, wraps, sandwiches, or simply as a dip with chips.

More chicken salad recipes: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad | Mango Chicken Salad | Mexican Chicken Salad | Curried Chicken Salad

A glass bowl filled with a creamy mixture of chopped vegetables and herbs next to a ceramic bowl containing fresh romaine lettuce leaves, both on a dark tabletop.

faqs

Can I Make This Ahead of Time?

Of course! Make up to 3 days in advance. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge and stir before serving. It tastes even better after the flavors have had some time to meld.

Can I freeze Buffalo chicken salad?

Definitely not. Freezing mayo-based sauces isn’t a good idea because they will separate.

Can I use canned or rotisserie chicken?

Absolutely. Rotisserie is perfect for a quick version. Canned chicken works in a pinch if that’s what you have on hand.

How spicy is it, and can I adjust?

As with all my recipes, you are in control! Add more or less hot sauce to suit your taste, or toss in a pinch of cayenne for extra heat.

Need more inspiration for dinner? Check out my main dishes recipes page!

A bowl of salad with chunks of chicken mixed in a creamy orange dressing, placed on a bed of fresh green romaine lettuce leaves for buffalo chicken salad.

what to serve with this buffalo chicken salad

For a quick lunch, scoop this Buffalo chicken salad onto fresh sandwich bread, a wrap, or a croissant. For a low-carb option, use it as a filling for lettuce wraps or stuffed avocado halves. It also works well as a hearty topping for leafy greens.

If you’re serving it as an appetizer or for game-day snacking, pile it onto crackers, endive leaves, or celery sticks for easy, grab-and-go bites.

how to store

Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 to 3 days. Stir well before serving to redistribute the sauce.

A close-up of a creamy buffalo chicken salad with chopped celery and herbs, garnished with crumbled blue cheese, served on a bed of fresh romaine lettuce leaves in a shallow bowl.

more of our favorite easy lunch recipes

This warm goat cheese salad is simple to make and you’ll love the homemade dressing recipe too!

Creamy lemon salmon pasta incorporated a lemony sauce and fresh greens for a simple lunch.

Make rice bowls with honey sesame ginger salmon bites, topped with a big dollop of chili crisp!

Finally, if you make this buffalo chicken salad recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!

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