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You are here: Home / Recipes / Salad

Ultimate Nashville Hot Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

📋 Modified: Feb 20, 2025 Published: Jul 9, 2022 by 👩🏻‍🍳 Jami Powell · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Get ready to spice up your mealtime with the Ultimate Nashville Hot Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing! This salad combines the fiery flavors of Nashville hot chicken with the cool, creamy goodness of buttermilk ranch dressing, creating a mouthwatering salad that's perfect for anyone looking to add a little kick to their dinner routine.

Close up of Nashville hot chicken salad with homemade buttermilk ranch dressing in a white bowl

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Nashville Hot Chicken Salad is a delightful fusion of spicy fried chicken, crisp vegetables, and creamy buttermilk ranch dressing. Originating from Nashville's famous hot chicken, this salad offers a refreshing twist that combines heat and freshness, making it an ideal dish for any occasion.

If you like this recipe, you may also love our Healthy Cobb Salad Recipe for Meal Prep or Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad with Creamy Buttermilk Ranch.

Jump to:
  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Substitutions & Variations
  • How to Make Ultimate Nashville Hot Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
  • Expert Tips for Success
  • Storage
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Related
  • More Salad Recipes You'll Love ♥️
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Share Your Thoughts

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Spicy and Flavorful: Combines the iconic Nashville hot spice with a cool, creamy dressing.
  • Healthy and Fresh: Packed with fresh vegetables, perfect for a nutritious meal.
  • Family-Friendly: Great for weeknight dinners and entertaining guests.
  • Easy to Make: Simple steps make this an accessible recipe for any home cook.

Ingredients

  • Chicken breast: Lean protein that absorbs the Nashville hot spice perfectly.
  • Nashville hot spice: Adds the signature fiery kick.
  • Olive oil: Helps in frying the chicken to a crispy perfection.
  • Romaine lettuce: Provides a crisp, refreshing base.
  • English cucumber: Adds a cool, crunchy texture.
  • Grape tomatoes: Sweet and juicy, balancing the heat.
  • Celery: Crunchy and refreshing.
  • Carrot: Adds color and a slight sweetness.
  • Blue cheese: Creamy and tangy, it pairs well with the hot spice.
  • Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings.
  • Buttermilk Ranch: Creamy, tangy, and cooling.

A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Chicken breast: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier option.
  • Nashville hot spice: Substitute with your favorite hot sauce if the spice blend is unavailable.
  • Blue cheese: Use feta or goat cheese for a different flavor.

How to Make Ultimate Nashville Hot Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

STEP ONE: Prepare the Chicken

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Season the chicken breasts with Nashville hot spice, salt, and pepper. Heat an oven-safe skillet with a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.

Transfer the oven-safe skillet with the chicken breasts directly into the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until fully cooked. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before slicing.

STEP TWO: Prepare the Vegetables

While the chicken is baking, chop the romaine lettuce, slice the English cucumber, halve the grape tomatoes, slice the celery, and shred the carrots.

STEP THREE: Assemble the Salad

In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine, sliced cucumber, halved grape tomatoes, sliced celery, shredded carrots, and crumbled blue cheese. Add the sliced chicken to the salad and toss gently to combine.

STEP FOUR: Serve

Drizzle with buttermilk ranch dressing just before serving and enjoy!

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 Marinate the chicken in the Nashville hot spice for at least 30 minutes before cooking if you have time.
✔️ DO Serve the salad immediately after adding the dressing to keep the vegetables crisp and fresh.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze leftover Nashville hot chicken (not salad) in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat the chicken, warm it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or until heated through.

Recipe FAQs

What makes Nashville hot chicken different from regular fried chicken?

Nashville hot chicken is distinct because it's coated in a spice made from cayenne pepper and other seasonings, giving it a fiery kick.

Can I use a different dressing instead of buttermilk ranch for this salad?

Yes, you can use various dressings as substitutes. Blue cheese dressing, honey mustard, or even a tangy vinaigrette can complement the spicy chicken. For a healthier option, try a Greek yogurt-based dressing.

How can I make Nashville hot chicken less spicy for my family?

To reduce the spice level, you can use less seasoning. Serve the chicken with extra buttermilk ranch dressing to help balance the heat.

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  • Grilled Chicken Avocado and Egg Salad
  • Easy Buffalo Chicken Wings with Homemade Garlic Buffalo Sauce

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Did You Like This Nashville Hot Chicken Salad Recipe?

  • Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star Rating if think this Nashville Hot Chicken Salad is amazing!

📖 Recipe

Close up of Nashville hot chicken salad with homemade buttermilk ranch dressing in a white bowl

Ultimate Nashville Hot Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Jami Powell
Get ready to spice up your mealtime with the Ultimate Nashville Hot Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing! This salad combines the fiery flavors of Nashville hot chicken with the cool, creamy goodness of buttermilk ranch dressing, creating a mouthwatering salad that's perfect for anyone looking to add a little kick to their dinner routine.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Lunch, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 431 kcal

Equipment

  • Oven-safe skillet
  • Large bowl
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Measuring Spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons Nashville hot spice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 head romaine lettuce chopped
  • 1 English cucumber sliced
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
  • 2 celery stalks sliced
  • 2 carrots shredded
  • ½ cup blue cheese crumbled
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ cup buttermilk ranch dressing

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Season the chicken breasts with Nashville hot spice, salt, and pepper.
  • Heat an oven-safe skillet with a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
  • Transfer the oven-safe skillet with the chicken breasts directly into the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until fully cooked. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before slicing.
  • In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine, sliced cucumber, halved grape tomatoes, sliced celery, shredded carrots, and crumbled blue cheese.
  • Add the sliced chicken to the salad and toss gently to combine.
  • Drizzle with buttermilk ranch dressing and serve immediately.

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Enter your email below and we'll send it to your inbox. Plus, you'll get new recipes from us each week!

Notes

Storage Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze Freeze leftover Nashville hot chicken (not salad) in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Reheat To reheat the chicken, warm it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or until heated through.
Substitutions
  • Chicken breast: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier option.
  • Nashville hot spice: Substitute with your favorite hot sauce if the spice blend is unavailable.
  • Blue cheese: Use feta or goat cheese for a different flavor.
Adjustments Cooking time may need to be adjusted based on the geography of the area (high vs. low elevation), cookware (stoneware vs traditional bakeware), and outdoor temperature if grilling.
Nutrition information is only an estimate

Nutrition

Calories: 431kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 30gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 624mgPotassium: 892mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 6403IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 4mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @powell.family.cooking on Instagram

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