Buffalo Chicken with Blue Cheese Salad: A Tangy, Crunchy Classic Made Easy
Transform weeknight dinners with a seamless blend of spicy sauce and creamy dressing.
Buffalo Chicken with Blue Cheese Salad: Ultimate Comfort Food, Reimagined
If you crave bold flavors and classic comfort in a single dish, Buffalo chicken with blue cheese salad delivers. This recipe pairs oven-roasted chicken tossed in spicy Buffalo sauce with an ultra-creamy blue cheese salad, blending heat, tang, and crunch for an irresistible meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or game day feasts, it also transforms leftover chicken into delicious salads, wraps, and more.
What Is Buffalo Chicken with Blue Cheese Salad?
Buffalo chicken originated as spicy, sauced fried wings from Buffalo, New York, but in this modern twist, bone-in chicken pieces are slow-roasted before being coated in tangy Buffalo sauce. Serving the chicken alongside a fresh salad of crisp iceberg lettuce, crunchy vegetables, and luxurious blue cheese dressing adds cooling contrast. This fusion yields a dish that is hearty yet refreshing, with every bite bursting with robust flavor.
Ingredients
| For the Chicken | For the Salad |
|---|---|
|
|
Pro tip: Fresh, high-quality cheese and vegetables enhance the salad’s flavor even further.
Step-by-Step Directions
1. Roast the Chicken
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Toss chicken pieces in olive oil and season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Arrange chicken, skin-side up, on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer for even roasting.
- Roast until skin is golden and chicken is just cooked through—about 30 minutes. The meat should not be pink near the bone.
2. Apply the Buffalo Sauce
- Brush half the Buffalo sauce onto the hot chicken.
- Return chicken to the oven, baking an extra 3–5 minutes to caramelize the sauce.
- Brush with the remaining sauce as soon as chicken is out of the oven.
- Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes to seal in juices and allow flavors to meld.
3. Prepare the Blue Cheese Dressing
- In a large jar, combine buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, and grated garlic.
- Season mixture with salt and copious black pepper for tang and bite.
- Seal the jar and shake briskly until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in ¾ cup of crumbled blue cheese to infuse bold flavor.
- Refrigerate dressing until the chicken is finished.
4. Assemble the Salad
- Place chopped iceberg lettuce, grated carrots, and sliced celery in a large bowl.
- Add 2/3 cup of the dressing and toss thoroughly to coat all the vegetables.
- Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup blue cheese.
- Serve salad alongside hot Buffalo chicken, with extra dressing on the side for dipping.
5. Serving Suggestions
- Arrange chicken pieces over the salad or on a separate platter.
- Offer extra Buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing at the table.
- Top salad with more fresh veggies for texture and color—radishes or scallions work well.
Nutritional Highlights
Buffalo chicken is a protein-rich dish. When paired with the salad’s fresh vegetables and blue cheese, it offers a balance of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats:
What others are reading
- Chicken: Excellent source of lean protein, B vitamins, and selenium.
- Iceberg lettuce: Contains vitamin A, K, mild hydration.
- Carrots: High in beta carotene, vitamin K1, antioxidants.
- Celery: Source of fiber, potassium, vitamin C.
- Blue cheese: Delivers calcium, fat, and bold umami punch.
Smart Tips for Best Results
- Chicken cuts: Opt for bone-in, skin-on pieces for juiciness and flavor.
- Roasting vs. frying: Roasting produces crispy skin with less oil than traditional deep frying, making the dish lighter.
- Dressing consistency: Adjust mayonnaise and buttermilk to reach desired sauce consistency—thicker for dipping, thinner for drizzling.
- Buffalo sauce heat: Use your favorite brand or mix hot sauce with melted butter for a custom tang. For homemade, combine equal parts hot sauce, melted butter, and a splash of vinegar.
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Leftover Ideas
Buffalo chicken with blue cheese salad is ideal for meal prep, parties, or storing leftovers for quick lunches:
- Chicken: Prepare and roast in advance. Store in airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days.
- Dressing: Keeps well refrigerated up to one week. Shake well before using.
- Salad: Chop veggies ahead, but toss with dressing right before serving to maintain crunch.
- Leftovers: Shred chicken and mix with extra salad; stuff into wraps, sandwiches, or use as topping for pizzas and flatbreads.
Easy Variations and Adaptations
- Spicy Ranch Chicken Salad: Replace blue cheese dressing with your favorite ranch dressing for a milder, kid-friendly twist.
- Buffalo Chicken Wraps: Roll tossed salad and chicken in large tortillas for portable wraps.
- Deconstructed Salad: Serve chicken, veggies, and dressing separately so diners can build their plate.
- Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches: Pile shredded chicken salad onto a toasted bun and drizzle with dressing.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve chicken atop a large bed of greens—perfect for keto-style meals.
Common Mistakes and Solutions
- Soggy salad: Always toss veggies with dressing at the last moment; pre-tossing leads to wilted greens.
- Dry chicken: Avoid over-roasting; check chicken with a thermometer (165°F internal temperature) for juiciness.
- Overpowering blue cheese: Adjust amount based on taste—add gradually for subtle flavor.
Buffalo Chicken with Blue Cheese Salad vs. Classic Buffalo Wings
| Buffalo Chicken & Blue Cheese Salad | Classic Buffalo Wings |
|---|---|
| Roasted bone-in chicken pieces | Deep-fried wings (sometimes baked) |
| Served with vegetable-rich salad and creamy dressing | Served with celery, carrot sticks, and blue cheese sauce |
| Lower fat, more balanced meal | Higher fat, typically appetizer style |
| Main course or hearty lunch | Party finger food or snack |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use boneless chicken?
A: Yes. Boneless thighs or breasts work well for a quicker cook and easier slicing, though leaving skin on adds flavor and crispness.
Q: Is it possible to make the dressing lighter?
A: Substitute Greek yogurt for part of the mayonnaise or sour cream, and use lighter versions of cheese or buttermilk to reduce fat.
Q: How spicy is Buffalo chicken?
A: The heat level depends on your sauce—most commercial Buffalo sauces are medium-hot, but you can dial up or down by adjusting the sauce or adding more mayonnaise to cool things off.
Q: What’s the best way to store leftovers?
A: Store chicken and salad separately in airtight containers in the fridge. For best texture, toss salad with dressing right before eating.
Q: Are there gluten-free options?
A: Absolutely. Ensure your Buffalo sauce is gluten-free and serve with gluten-free wraps or extra salad greens.
Conclusion: Why This Dish Stands Out
Buffalo chicken with blue cheese salad combines the crave-worthy taste of Buffalo wings with the wholesome crunch of a fresh, creamy salad, creating a satisfying meal fit for any occasion. Whether roasted for dinner, tossed for lunch, or repurposed for snack wraps, it delivers balanced flavor with easy prep and endless possibilities for customization.
Quick Recipe Recap
- Prep time: 15 min
- Cook time: 35 min
- Main flavors: Spicy, creamy, crunchy, tangy
- Perfect for: Family meals, parties, lunches, meal prep
- Leftover friendly: Yes—ideal for wraps and sandwiches
References
- https://simplifyrecipe.com/recipe/buffalo-chicken-with-blue-cheese-salad-the-pioneer-woman
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a32434651/buffalo-chicken-with-blue-cheese-salad-recipe/
- https://www.peanutblossom.com/blog/buffalo-chicken-salad/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHY03BVtPnQ
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a11643/buffalo-chicken-salad/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g38686285/buffalo-chicken-recipes/
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