Buffalo Chicken Salad

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Buffalo chicken salad is perfect for anyone who loves the bold flavors of Buffalo wings but wants something a bit lighter without skimping on taste. This recipe combines the spicy kick of Buffalo sauce with the cool, creamy textures of Greek yogurt and mayonnaise, all tossed with tender shredded chicken. My buffalo chicken salad promises to bring the heat and then some.

What sets this buffalo chicken salad apart is not just the flavor-packed dressing but also the crunch and color from fresh veggies like celery, red cabbage, and carrots, all nestled in crisp lettuce cups. It’s a vibrant, satisfying meal that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. So, if you’re in the mood for something that brings a little heat, a lot of textures, and a ton of flavors, it’s time to whip up this buffalo chicken salad.

“My family has been trying to eat healthier and love anything buffalo chicken. I was a little afraid of the Greek yogurt because I am normally not a fan. I was pleasantly surprised. These tasted great. I’m glad to now have a healthier option when it comes to buffalo chicken.” – Ashley

Recipe at a glance

Cuisine Inspiration: American
Primary Cooking Method: No-Cook
Dietary Info: Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten Free
Key Flavor: Buffalo
Skill Level: Easy

Summary

• Easy to Make: This buffalo chicken salad is easy to make and makes a great lunch or dinner with minimal prep. You simply need to mix the cooked chicken with the sauce and add it to a lettuce cup. 
• Bold Flavors: Buffalo sauce delivers a bold and spicy kick to this salad. The Greek yogurt keeps the sauce creamy and high-protein, and the celery, carrots, and red cabbage give this salad the perfect crunch!
• Make-Ahead: Since this recipe uses precooked chicken, it is easy to make ahead for lunches or dinners. Store the buffalo chicken salad in the fridge and add it to the lettuce cups when ready to serve.
• Time-Saving: The precooked chicken reduces the prep time, making this recipe great for busy schedules. You can either cook the chicken ahead of time or use store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Ingredients to Make Buffalo Chicken Salad

Dressing

• Low-fat plain Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt makes this dressing creamy, and picking a low-fat option helps keep the calories and fat content lower. 
• Hot sauce: Use your favorite brand of hot sauce. It gives this salad that signature buffalo flavor! You can adjust the amount of heat based on your personal preference. 
• Low-fat mayonnaise: Helps bind the dressing ingredients together and adds to its creaminess. Use a low-fat option to keep the fat content lower.
• Lemon juice: Brightens the flavor of the dressing and adds a little acidity.
• Chives: Fresh chives are preferred but you can also use parsley. 
• Onion powder: Adds more flavor to the dressing and keeps the dressing smooth by using a powder. 
• Dill: A little bit of dill gives the dressing an herbal flavor that compliments the buffalo chicken flavor. Fresh or dried dill can be used. 
• Garlic powder: Adds more flavor to the dressing without overpowering it the way fresh garlic would. 
• Salt: Helps to balance and brighten the flavors. 
• Black pepper: Adds a light pepperiness to the dressing. 

Chicken Salad

• Shredded chicken breast: Chicken breast is preferred for its flavor. Shred the chicken into small pieces so it is easier to eat and everything gets evenly coated with the dressing.
• Lettuce: Serve the chicken salad in Boston Bib or iceberg lettuce. This type of lettuce is the perfect holder and easily holds up when filled with ingredients. 
• Celery: Adds a crunchy texture and has a mild flavor. Slice it thinly.
• Red cabbage: Gives this salad a nice punch of color and crunchy texture.
• Carrots: Delivers a subtle sweetness and adds more crunch to this salad. 

Popular Substitutions & Additions

• Add cheese. Blue cheese is iconic with buffalo chicken wings. Go ahead and sprinkle some crumbled blue cheese over this chicken salad. Or my fav, feta!
• Make it vegetarian. This salad could easily be made meatless by using cooked chickpeas or Air Fryer tofu instead of chicken.
• Add more veggies. You can never go wrong with adding more vegetables. Try adding some diced red bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, or cherry tomatoes.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Salad

1. Measure out all of the ingredients for the buffalo sauce dressing in a large bowl.
2. Combine everything with a whisk until it is well-mixed.
3. Add the shredded chicken on top of the sauce right in the bowl.
4. Stir to combine.

Now, you can fill the lettuce cups with 3-4 tablespoons of the buffalo chicken salad mixture. Top with celery, shredded cabbage, and carrots on the side so everyone can add as they like. Serve with the remaining dressing on the side for extra drizzling.

“Was looking for a healthy recipe for lunch and found this one! It was delicious. This was my second, VERY yummy recipe from this site. Will search for others!” – Suzie

Tips for Making the Best Buffalo Chicken Salad

1. Don’t skimp on the fresh herbs. The recipe calls for fresh chives, fresh parsley, and/or fresh dill. While you can use some dried herbs in place of fresh ones, try to use at least one fresh herb to really help tie everything together.
2. Shred the chicken into smaller pieces. This helps to coat the shredded chicken well with the buffalo ranch dressing, so it delivers the best flavor!
3. Buy pre-shredded carrots and cabbage to save time. I shred the cabbage using a wide vegetable peeler and use a grater for the carrots, but you can certainly buy them pre-shredded.
4. Save the celery leaves. When slicing the celery, you might be tempted to toss the celery leaves, but they can add so much flavor to the buffalo chicken salad. Make sure to wash them, chop them up, and use them to garnish the lettuce cups.

What to Serve With Buffalo Chicken Salad

Buffalo chicken salad makes an easy meal that is all on its own, but you can add a side to make it a more filling meal. Here are some ideas:

• Baked Sweet Potato Fries
• Air Fryer Broccoli
• Grilled Veggie Kabobs
• Corn Ribs

How to Store Buffalo Chicken Salad

Place leftover buffalo chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Serve the chicken salad in fresh lettuce cups.

How Long Will Buffalo Chicken Last in the Fridge?

This easy buffalo chicken salad will keep in the refrigerator for three to four days.

Can I Freeze this Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe?

No, chicken salad does not freeze well. It is best to consume the salad fresh or as leftovers within a few days. 

Frequently asked questions

With its easy and quick assembly and minimal cleanup, this buffalo chicken salad will become a lunch or dinner-time favorite! It can be enjoyed by itself or paired with a heartier side for an effortless meal.

For more summer salad recipes:

• Avocado Blueberry Salad
• Greek Salad
• Caesar Salad
• Corn Tomato Avocado Salad
• Cucumber Lemon Orzo Salad
• Tomato Caprese Salad
• Greek Orzo Salad
• Tuna Pasta Salad
• Chickpea Couscous Salad
• Avocado Blueberry Salad

If you’ve tried this healthy-ish feel good Buffalo Chicken Salad recipe or any other recipe on FeelGoodFoodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!