Buffalo Chicken Salad

Buffalo Chicken Salad is a perfect lunch or snack meal prep recipe! A great way to use rotisserie chicken or even leftover turkey. Gluten free and keto low carb inspired by game day flavors.

This easy and fast Buffalo Chicken Salad recipe is a perfect lunch or meal prep idea! All the flavors you love of popular game day snacks in a creamy chicken salad.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Homemade chicken salads are incredibly easy to make.

This recipe is gluten free and keto low carb, plus it makes a perfect option for meal prep for lunches and snacks! It holds over well and is great on bread, lettuce, or just on its own.

Use rotisserie chicken or any leftover chicken, or even leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or a holiday!

Ingredients

These are the ingredients you need for Buffalo Chicken Salad:

Rotisserie Chicken
Celery
Carrots
Mayonnaise
Buffalo Wing Sauce
Blue Cheese Crumbles
Walnuts
Green Onions
Fresh Parsley
Garlic Powder

Equipment

This is the equipment you need to make this recipe:

Large Bowl
Spatula
Knife
Cutting Board
Measuring Spoons
Measuring Cups

Instruction Overview

First make sure you have cooked chicken (ideally rotisserie for extra flavor!) ready to go.

Make the sauce by combining the mayonnaise, buffalo wing sauce, and garlic powder.

Chop up the chicken, celery, and carrots into desired sizes. Add to the large sauce bowl.

Also add the chopped walnuts, green onions, and parsley.

The mixed Buffalo Chicken Salad in a large clear bowl

Mix to combine. Season to taste with salt, pepper, or more buffalo sauce/hot sauce as desired.

Ideally chill at least 30 minutes before serving for the flavors to develop.

Modifications and Substitutions

Rotisserie chicken is perfect for this recipe. It uses just less than about half a chicken, depending on size. You can also use any leftover chicken or cook a neutral-seasoned chicken for the recipe (salt, pepper, garlic).

Leftover turkey such as from Thanksgiving or a holiday is also a great option!

Easily leave out the blue cheese if desired. Or add a neutral white cheese instead like Monterey Jack.

Ranch fan instead of blue cheese? Use a few squirts of ranch dressing in place of some mayo or add some ranch seasoning mix.

Easily leave out the nuts if desired.

This recipe is a mild heat. Want to make it spicy? Add (1) more buffalo sauce or (2) some hot sauce to the mix. Taste as you go until you get your desired heat level.

Kim’s Tips

Toasting the nuts gives them more flavor and is recommended, but you can add them raw as well if desired.

This chicken salad is best if refrigerated at least 30 minutes before eating so that flavors develop.

Cut all the ingredients as large or small as desired based on what you like!

FAQs

What is buffalo chicken salad made of?

This chicken salad is made of chopped chicken, mayonnaise, buffalo wing sauce, blue cheese crumbles, walnuts, celery, carrots, and garlic powder.

What flavors pair well with buffalo?

Ranch and blue cheese are classic combinations for buffalo chicken. Carrots and celery are also great for adding some freshness.

Is Buffalo chicken hot or spicy?

It is traditionally a little spicy, but you can make this recipe as mild or spicy as desired.
Because we are using just a little buffalo sauce with creamy elements, it will be on the mild side. See the Modifications and Substitutions section above for how to make it spicier!