Creamy Buffalo Chicken Salad (High-Protein & Meal Prep Friendly)
Buffalo Chicken Salad is a creamy, spicy, high-protein recipe made with shredded chicken, bold buffalo sauce, Greek yogurt, and crunchy celery. This easy buffalo chicken salad comes together in minutes and is perfect for sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or meal prep lunches. With classic flavors like ranch seasoning and optional blue cheese, it delivers that game-day buffalo chicken taste in a fresh, satisfying salad form. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, healthy meal prep idea, or flavorful chicken salad recipe, this buffalo chicken salad is simple, versatile, and packed with bold flavor.
Servings 5 servings
Calories 325kcal
Cost $14 for entire recipe
Equipment
- Mixing bowl (medium or large)
- measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Forks (for shredding) or hand mixer
- Spatula or large spoon
- Airtight storage container (for meal prep)
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken rotisserie works great
- ⅓–½ cup buffalo sauce adjust to spice preference
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp ranch seasoning or 2 tbsp ranch dressing
- 1 celery stalk finely diced
- 2 tbsp red onion very finely minced
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions
- ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese optional but classic
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Squeeze of fresh lemon juice optional but brightens everything
Instructions
- Shred the chicken
- If using rotisserie, remove skin and shred finely for better texture.
- Mix the creamy base
- In a bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayo, buffalo sauce, ranch seasoning, and lemon juice.
- Combine everything
- Fold in shredded chicken, celery, red onion, green onions, and blue cheese.
- Chill
- Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to let flavors marry (it’s even better the next day).
- Taste & adjust
- Add more buffalo sauce for heat or a little extra yogurt if it’s too spicy.
Notes
- Use finely shredded chicken for the best texture. Finely shredded chicken helps the buffalo chicken salad absorb more buffalo sauce and creates a creamier, more cohesive chicken salad texture.
- Adjust the spice level to your preference. For a milder buffalo chicken salad, start with ⅓ cup buffalo sauce and add more gradually. For extra heat, stir in a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
- Make it healthier. Substitute all Greek yogurt for mayonnaise to create a lighter, lower-calorie buffalo chicken salad that’s still creamy and high in protein.
- Best for meal prep. This buffalo chicken salad tastes even better after chilling for at least 30 minutes. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Serving ideas. Serve this easy buffalo chicken salad on toasted buns, in wraps, over mixed greens, in lettuce cups, or stuffed into croissants for a quick lunch or party appetizer.
- Blue cheese tip. Traditional buffalo chicken salad includes crumbled blue cheese, but you can substitute feta or shredded cheddar if preferred.
- Don’t freeze. Freezing buffalo chicken salad is not recommended, as the creamy dressing may separate and affect texture.