This creamy Buffalo Chicken Salad is a flavor-packed, make-ahead meal that’s perfect for lunches. Serve it as a lettuce wrap, pile it high on your favorite sandwich bread or scoop it up with a cracker. It’s low-carb and doesn’t require reheating.
And don’t miss my favorite way to serve it: tucked inside crispy cheese cups for the ultimate gameday appetizer!
Table of Contents
Is there anything buffalo sauce can’t make better? I’m always finding new ways to coat my favorite ingredients in this spicy, tangy sauce. And this buffalo chicken salad is no exception! Packed with bold flavors and a hint of heat, it’s my go-to for quick, low-carb lunches and easy gameday snacks.
And here’s my ultimate gameday hack: Serve the chicken salad in crispy cheese cups! I use cheddar and shape the warm cheese into bite-sized bowls that are perfect for filling with this creamy, spicy chicken salad. Head over to my cheese crisps recipe for my step-by-step instructions for making the cups.
If you’re as obsessed with buffalo sauce as I am, you’ve got to try my buffalo chicken meatballs or, for a seafood twist, grilled buffalo shrimp.
- Chicken: Starting with cooked chicken makes this recipe come together quickly. I used my favorite store-bought shortcut, rotisserie chicken, but you could use leftover chicken breasts or thighs. If you don’t have any cooked chicken leftovers, use my simple roast chicken recipe.
- Celery: Adds fresh crunch to every bite.
- Scallions: I love the mild onion flavor scallions bring without overpowering the dish. Red onion works in a pinch but has a sharper bite.
- Buffalo sauce: Made with creamy mayo, Frank’s Hot Sauce and garlic powder, which adds a subtle savory depth. For the best buffalo sauce, Frank’s is a must for me, but you can use your favorite brand.
Optional add-ins: Shredded cheddar cheese, chopped nuts, a squeeze of Ranch dressing, shredded carrots, blue cheese crumbles.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Make the buffalo sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, hot sauce and garlic powder.
- Prep the salad ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, celery and scallions.
- Combine and serve. Add the buffalo wing sauce to the bowl with the chicken and stir until thoroughly combined.
How to Serve
This chicken salad is incredibly versatile! Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:
- On a sandwich: Pile it high on your favorite bread or roll.
- As a lettuce wrap: A low-carb option that’s crisp and refreshing.
- In a wrap: Use a tortilla for an easy, portable meal. Try my recipe for homemade flour tortillas that take just 30 minutes to whip up!
- With crackers or pretzels: Perfect for scooping and snacking.
- Over a bed of lettuce: Turn it into a hearty, spicy chopped salad.
- In cheese cups (like you see in my photos!): For the ultimate gameday appetizer, I serve the Buffalo chicken salad inside crunchy cheddar cheese cups. Get my step-by-step instructions for making crispy cheese cups.
Meal Prep and Storage Instructions
Buffalo chicken salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days, making it perfect for meal prep. For meal prepping, I like to store it in individual servings in separate airtight containers.
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped or shredded rotisserie chicken
- 2/3 cup diced celery
- 1/4 cup sliced scallions
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup Frank’s hot sauce, or more to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, celery and scallions.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, hot sauce and garlic powder. Add the mayonnaise mixture to the bowl with the chicken and stir until thoroughly combined then serve.
Kelly’s Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days.
- Cheese cups: My favorite way to turn this chicken salad into a gameday appetizer! Get my step-by-step instructions for making crispy cheese cups.
-
★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Nutrition
Did you try this recipe?
Leave a comment below with your star rating!
This post may contain affiliate links.
So, so good! Couldn’t believe how flavorful the chicken salad was and those cups are so great for when I host parties. People love them!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Andrea!