Description
This Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is a bold, zesty dish that’s perfect for potlucks, weeknight dinners, or game day spreads. Packed with protein, fresh veggies, and a creamy-spicy dressing, it’s a quick and satisfying way to spice up your summer meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (16 oz) package of pasta, cooked
- 1 (24 oz) package of buffalo chicken strips, cooked according to package instructions
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 green onions, chopped
- ¾ cup buffalo sauce
- ⅓ cup ranch dressing
- ⅓ cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down quickly.
- Prepare the Chicken: Cook your buffalo chicken strips according to package directions. Let them cool slightly, then chop or shred into bite-sized pieces. If using plain or rotisserie chicken, toss it in buffalo sauce to coat.
- Chop the Veggies: Dice the celery, halve the cherry tomatoes, and slice the green onions. Try to keep everything roughly the same size for even bites throughout.
- Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the buffalo sauce and ranch dressing until smooth. Taste the mix—you can adjust the ratio to be milder or spicier depending on your preference.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta, chicken, celery, tomatoes, and green onions. Pour in half the dressing and toss well. Taste and add more dressing as needed to suit your spice level.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least one hour before serving. When ready, top with blue cheese crumbles if using, and give everything a final toss.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt ranch or reduced-fat buffalo sauce.
- If you’re out of blue cheese, try feta or even shredded cheddar.
- This recipe is great for meal prep and keeps well for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Add-ins like avocado, diced cucumbers, or even bacon bits can take it up a notch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 55mg