Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad

This buffalo ranch chicken salad is a zesty take on plain old chicken salad. With zippy buffalo flavor and the refreshing addition of ranch, this recipe will spice up any meal in a flash. Quick and easy, perfect for lunch or dinner- run, don’t walk, to your kitchen to make this yummy buffalo ranch chicken salad.

I feel like we always have leftover chicken in our house. Look in my fridge at any moment in time and you’re sure to find some chicken just waiting for someone to finish it up.

But most leftover chicken is sort of boring. No one really is into eating a second time. Unless you turn the leftovers into something special like this buffalo ranch chicken salad.

Not only is this chicken salad recipe a fantastic way to use up leftover chicken, but it’s also a zingy fresh take on classic mayo based chicken salad.

It’s almost a cross between traditional chicken salad and buffalo chicken dip. It’s so good and a perfect sandwich filling.

Ingredients Needed

Luckily, this easy chicken salad only requires a handful of ingredients.

You’ll need:

• Chicken – We recommend using chopped leftover rotisserie chicken, but you could also cook up a couple chicken breasts and then use them once they’ve cooled.
• Celery – A handful of celery stalks, washed and thinly sliced.
• Onion – A bunch of green onions, thinly sliced.
• Ranch – Ranch dressing, either homemade or store bought. If using store bought dressing, be sure to use one you know and like the flavor of.
• Buffalo Sauce – Here you can also use homemade or store bought. Keep in mind the flavor and level of spice when choosing which to use as it will affect the spice level of the finished chicken salad.
• Seasoning – Salt and pepper

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, you’re ready to begin.

How To Make

Making this chicken salad recipe is so easy.

Add all of the dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl, and mix them together until evenly combined.

Add both the ranch and buffalo sauce to the mixture, again mixing together until evenly combined and all the ingredients are well coated.

That’s it. Chicken salad’s done and lunch is ready to serve.

However, if you prefer a colder chicken salad- cover the bowl and refrigerate for two hours until chilled.

How Long Can You Store Chicken Salad?

Leftover chicken salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three days.

Technically it will be safe to eat for 5 days, but I’ve found that the sauce starts to break down after three and it just becomes too liquidy to enjoy.

Also because of the nature of the ingredients and the inclusion of dairy, this chicken salad does not freeze well.

Can I Use Something Instead Of Ranch Dressing?

If you aren’t a ranch fan, you have a couple options here. You could substitute an equal amount of blue cheese dressing for the ranch dressing.

You could also try mayonnaise or even plain Greek yogurt instead of the ranch dressing. Any of the options would give you the creaminess of ranch without the ranch flavor.

Serving Suggestions

The sky is the limit on serving ideas. While yes, chicken salad sandwiches are probably the most popular way to serve chicken salad, you could do so many things with this.

For example. you could spread it on top of celery sticks, cucumber slices, or crackers for a fun appetizer.

Skip the dressing and serve this on top of a bowl of green salad for a lighter dinner, or on a leaf of crispy romaine lettuce for a healthier lunch.

You could use this to make a zesty grilled cheese sandwich. Just add some cheese, and grill the sandwich in butter until toasty.

It also make delicious wraps.

Is It Spicy?

The spice level will totally depend on the kind of buffalo sauce you use. For a milder version, use a mild sauce. For a spicier chicken salad, use a hotter sauce.

TIPS & TRICKS

• This chicken salad recipe is literally that, chicken salad. If you want more ‘crunch’ or texture, or just to get some more veggies thinly sliced celery & shredded carrots both make great additions. You can use one, or both.
• Don’t have green onions? You can sub red onion, but mince them. Larger, diced pieces will lead to more bite, and that can be overpowering.
• The sauce for this recipe is delicious, but it is also thin. If you prefer a creamier, thicker consistency- blend in 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with the ranch dressing & wing sauce until smooth before adding to the chicken salad.
• If you don’t have leftover rotisserie chicken, you can cook a couple chicken breasts & chop those to use instead. I recommend poaching them though for the juiciest, tender results for this recipe.

OTHER CHICKEN SALAD RECIPES:

No matter how you serve it, this buffalo ranch chicken salad will jazz up your lunch routine and satisfy any cravings for that big buffalo wing taste.

Looking for other chicken salad recipes to enjoy?

Try these:

• Crunchy Poppyseed Chicken Salad
• Tex Mex Chicken Salad
• Avocado Chicken Salad
• Curry Chicken Salad with Red Grapes & Pecans

If you’ve tried these Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!