Can I make this salad vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace the chicken with buffalo-style roasted cauliflower or chickpeas. Toss cauliflower florets or drained chickpeas with the same hot sauce and ranch seasoning mix, then roast at 425°F for about 20 minutes until crispy on the outside.

How can I tone down the spiciness for kids?

For a milder version, reduce the hot sauce by half and increase the ranch seasoning slightly. You can also serve the buffalo chicken on the side, allowing kids to add as much or as little as they like to their salad.

Can I use a different dressing if I don't have avocado ranch?

Regular ranch dressing works perfectly here! You can also use blue cheese dressing for an extra tangy kick that complements the buffalo flavor beautifully. For something lighter, a simple olive oil and lemon dressing is refreshing too.

Is there a way to make this lower in calories?

Definitely! Use chicken breast that you've cooked yourself to control the fat content, choose a light version of hot sauce, and make a yogurt-based ranch dressing with Greek yogurt, herbs and spices. You can also reduce the cheese or use a lighter option like part-skim mozzarella.

Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe

Name: Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups shredded chicken; ¼ cup hot sauce; ½ tablespoon dry ranch seasoning; 4 Baby Spring Salad Mix; 1 Medium Carrot, grated; 1 can sweet corn kernels; 1 cucumber, sliced; ¼ cup Blue Cheese Crumbles; 12 Cherry Tomatoes, quartered

Description

A quick and easy Buffalo Chicken Salad recipe that’s packed with flavor and perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal. This dish combines spicy chicken, fresh vegetables, and blue cheese crumbles, making it a delightful combination of tangy and savory flavors.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Chicken

2 cups shredded chicken
1/4 cup hot sauce
1/2 tablespoon dry ranch seasoning

Salad

4 Baby Spring Salad Mix
1 Medium Carrot, grated
1 can sweet corn kernels
1 cucumber, sliced
1/4 cup Blue Cheese Crumbles
12 Cherry Tomatoes, quartered

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: In a medium bowl, mix the shredded chicken with hot sauce and dry ranch seasoning until the chicken is evenly coated. Set aside.
Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl or divide into 4 small bowls, combine the spring mix, grated carrot, corn kernels, cucumber slices, blue cheese crumbles, and quartered cherry tomatoes. Toss everything together to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Add the Chicken and Serve: Place the prepared spicy chicken atop each salad and drizzle with avocado ranch dressing as per your preference. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

You can use rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or leftover chicken to save time.
Adjust the amount of hot sauce based on your spice preference.
For a healthier option, opt for a low-fat avocado ranch dressing.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 290
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 620mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 60mg