This Buffalo Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing is a hearty, crave-worthy dinner salad with a creamy homemade dressing. Baked or air-fried buffalo chicken bites are tossed with romaine, tomatoes, shredded carrots, celery, red onion, cheddar, and blue cheese, then finished with a cool, tangy buttermilk ranch made from dried herbs.
If you like this family favorite recipe, try our Nashville Hot Chicken Salad, Cobb Salad, or our Garlic Buffalo Wings
Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe at a Glance 🔎
- 🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- 🧊 Optional Chill: 10-15 minutes for dressing
- 👥 Servings: 4
- 🔥 Cook Method: Oven or air fryer
- 🍽️ Cuisine (or General Category): American dinner salad
- 👩🍳 Pair With: Garlic bread, sweet potato wedges, baked corn on the cob
- ⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy
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This is one of those recipes we rely on when cooking for guests. Served on a big platter, it feels generous without extra effort." ~Jami
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy Preparation: Whip up this meal in no time, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizable: Customize the salad with your favorite toppings and adjust the spice level to suit your taste preferences.
- Family Favorite: Even picky eaters will love the spicy buffalo chicken paired with the creamy goodness of buttermilk ranch.
Key Ingredients
- Buffalo Chicken (frozen): We like to use frozen buffalo chicken, or use pre-cooked breaded chicken seasoned with buffalo sauce.
- Romaine Lettuce: Adds crunch and crispiness.
- Grape or Cherry Tomatoes: Bursting with flavor, slice them in half or quarter them depending on size.
- Shredded Carrots: Bring sweetness and color.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Enhance richness.
- Celery Sticks: Provide a refreshing crunch and classic buffalo chicken pairing.
- Red Pepper: Adds color and sweetness.
- Red Onion: Introduces a subtle kick of flavor.
- Blue Cheese: Adds a bold and tangy finish.
- Buttermilk Ranch: We think this is the perfect dressing for this salad.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Breaded Buffalo Chicken: Replace with grilled chicken seasoned with buffalo sauce for a lighter option.
- Blue Cheese: Use shredded mozzarella for a milder flavor.
- Romaine Lettuce: Use your favorite mixed greens or spinach for added nutrition.
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How to Make Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch
STEP ONE: Whisk the Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the mayonnaise and buttermilk until smooth, then add the sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, dried parsley, dried chives, salt, and black pepper.
Whisk until fully combined and creamy, then refrigerate for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
STEP TWO: Cook the Buffalo Chicken Bites
Prepare the frozen breaded buffalo chicken bites according to the package directions using either the oven or air fryer.
Cook until hot, crispy, and evenly browned, then remove from heat and let them cool slightly while you prep the salad.
STEP THREE: Build the Salad Base
Arrange the chopped romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, shredded carrots, celery, red bell pepper, and red onion in a large salad bowl or platter.
STEP FOUR: Add Chicken, Cheese, and Dressing
Top the salad with the warm buffalo chicken bites, shredded cheddar, and crumbled blue cheese.
Drizzle about ¾ cup of the ranch dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is coated. Finish with an extra drizzle of buffalo sauce if desired, then serve immediately.
Storage
Store leftover buffalo chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate and drizzle over the salad just before serving to maintain freshness. To reheat leftover buffalo chicken, place it in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Chop the romaine just before assembling. It keeps it crisp and prevents sogginess from the warm buffalo chicken.
✔️ DO Let the buffalo chicken cool slightly before adding.
Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can! In fact, making the dressing in advance allows the flavors to blend together even more, resulting in a tastier dressing. Simply prepare the dressing as instructed and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Give it a good stir before using it on your salad.
Yes! Making Buttermilk Ranch in bulk is a great way to save time and ensure you always have delicious dressing on hand. To do this, prepare a large batch of Buttermilk Ranch Spice Mix by combining dried herbs and spices. Store the spice mix in an airtight container for future use.
Buffalo chicken salad is typically served with warm chicken over cold greens, creating a contrast that keeps the salad fresh and satisfying.
Ranch dressing is the most popular choice because its creamy, tangy flavor balances the heat of the buffalo chicken without overpowering it. Blue cheese dressing is also a good option.
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📖 Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Equipment
- Baking sheet or air fryer basket
- Large Salad bowl or platter
- Small mixing bowl or jar
- Whisk or fork
- Cutting board
- Chef's Knife
- Tongs
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken Salad
- 1 pound frozen breaded buffalo chicken bites
- 1 large head romaine lettuce (14 ounces, chopped)
- 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes halved or quartered depending on size
- ¾ cup shredded carrots
- ½ to ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 celery stalks cut into thin strips
- ½ red bell pepper cut into thin strips
- ¼ red onion thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup crumbled blue cheese
Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup buttermilk or milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¾ teaspoon dried chives
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: Buffalo Sauce for drizzling.
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk until smooth. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, dried parsley, dried chives, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until fully combined. Refrigerate for at least 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
- Prepare the frozen breaded buffalo chicken bites according to the package directions, using either the oven or air fryer. Cook until hot and crispy, then set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large salad bowl or platter, arrange the chopped romaine, tomatoes, shredded carrots, celery, red bell pepper, and red onion. Add the cooked buffalo chicken bites and sprinkle with shredded cheddar and crumbled blue cheese.
- Drizzle about ¾ cup of the ranch dressing over the salad. Drizzle buffalo sauce if using, then toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately while the chicken is still warm and crisp.
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Notes
- Buffalo Chicken: Replace grilled chicken seasoned with buffalo sauce for a lighter option.
- Blue Cheese: Use shredded mozzarella for a milder flavor.
- Romaine Lettuce: Use your favorite mixed greens or spinach for added nutrition.
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