Chopped Buffalo Chicken Skewer Salad

Imagine biting into tender, smoky grilled chicken coated in spicy buffalo sauce, then cooling your palate with crisp, fresh vegetables and creamy blue cheese dressing. That’s the magic of this Chopped Buffalo Chicken Skewer Salad — a perfect balance of heat, crunch, and creaminess that transforms the classic buffalo wing experience into a satisfying meal. This crowd-pleasing salad combines the beloved flavors of buffalo chicken with the nutritional benefits of a hearty salad. You’ll learn how to marinate and grill perfect chicken skewers, assemble a vibrant salad, and create a restaurant-quality dish that’s impressive yet surprisingly simple.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Chopped Buffalo Chicken Skewer Salad hits all the right notes for a memorable meal. First, it’s a brilliant fusion of comfort food and healthful eating — you get the addictive flavor of buffalo wings but in a more nutritious package. The textural contrasts are what make this dish truly special: juicy, charred chicken against crisp romaine, crunchy celery, and creamy avocado creates an exciting mouthfeel with every bite.

What’s more, this recipe is incredibly versatile. You can adjust the heat level to suit your preference, prepare components ahead of time for quick assembly, and even serve it in different ways — as a main course salad, in wrap form, or as an impressive party platter. The buffalo chicken skewers themselves are so delicious that they often become a standalone favorite for cookouts and gatherings.

Health-conscious diners will appreciate that this buffalo chicken skewer salad delivers bold flavors without excessive calories, making it perfect for those who don’t want to choose between taste and nutrition. The combination of lean protein, fresh vegetables, and controlled portions of dressing creates a balanced meal that satisfies without weighing you down.

Ingredients

For the Buffalo Chicken Skewers:

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ⅔ cup buffalo sauce (like Frank’s RedHot), plus extra for drizzling
• 8-10 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

For the Salad:

• 2 large heads romaine lettuce, chopped (about 8 cups)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 celery stalks, thinly sliced
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 avocado, diced
• ½ cup crumbled blue cheese (about 2 ounces)
• ¼ cup sliced green onions

For the Blue Cheese Dressing:

• ½ cup blue cheese, crumbled
• ⅓ cup sour cream
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Pro Tips

Skewer Success: The secret to perfect buffalo chicken skewers lies in the preparation. For even cooking, cut your chicken pieces into uniform 1-inch cubes. This ensures they’ll cook at the same rate and remain juicy. When threading the chicken onto skewers, leave small spaces between pieces rather than cramming them together—this allows heat to circulate and creates better char marks.

Buffalo Sauce Strategy: Instead of simply tossing cooked chicken in buffalo sauce, use a two-stage approach. First, marinate the chicken with half the sauce before cooking to infuse flavor deep into the meat. Then, after grilling, brush with additional sauce for that vibrant color and fresh flavor impact. This method creates layers of buffalo flavor without burning the sauce during grilling.

Temperature Control: For the juiciest chicken, avoid the common mistake of overcooking. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness—chicken is perfectly cooked at 165°F (74°C). Even more important, let your chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after grilling before adding the final buffalo sauce coating. This resting period allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in more succulent chicken for your chopped buffalo chicken skewer salad.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

In a large bowl, combine the chicken cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly, then add ⅓ cup of the buffalo sauce and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor). While the chicken marinates, soak your wooden skewers in water to prevent burning.

Step 2: Make the Blue Cheese Dressing

Combine all dressing ingredients in a medium bowl. Use a fork to mash some of the blue cheese crumbles into the mixture, leaving some chunks for texture. Whisk until well blended, then refrigerate until ready to use. This can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container.

Step 3: Grill the Chicken Skewers

Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken onto the soaked skewers, about 4-5 pieces per skewer. Grill for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. During the last minute of cooking, brush the chicken with an additional 2 tablespoons of buffalo sauce.

Step 4: Rest and Finish the Chicken

Remove the skewers from the grill and place on a clean plate. Let them rest for 3-5 minutes, then brush with the remaining buffalo sauce. This final coating gives your buffalo chicken skewers that signature vibrant color and fresh flavor.

Step 5: Assemble the Salad

In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, celery, red onion, and half of the green onions. Toss gently with about half of the blue cheese dressing, just enough to lightly coat the ingredients. Divide the dressed salad among 4 plates or bowls.

Step 6: Complete the Dish

Slide the grilled buffalo chicken off the skewers and arrange on top of each salad. Add diced avocado and sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese. Drizzle with additional blue cheese dressing and buffalo sauce if desired. Garnish with the remaining green onions and serve immediately for the perfect chopped buffalo chicken skewer salad experience.

Variations

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad Wraps: Transform this buffalo chicken skewer salad into a portable meal by wrapping the components in large flour tortillas. Simply chop the grilled buffalo chicken into smaller pieces, combine with the salad ingredients and a light drizzle of blue cheese dressing, then roll tightly in tortillas. This makes an excellent lunch option that can be prepared ahead of time.

Mediterranean Buffalo Chicken Salad: For an interesting fusion twist, substitute feta cheese for blue cheese and add diced cucumbers, kalamata olives, and roasted red peppers to the base salad. Make a yogurt-based buffalo sauce by mixing Greek yogurt with buffalo sauce, lemon juice, and fresh dill. This variation creates a lighter, tangier profile while maintaining the signature buffalo heat.

Plant-Based Buffalo “Chicken” Salad: Create a vegetarian or vegan version by substituting firm tofu or tempeh for the chicken. Press and marinate the tofu in the same buffalo sauce mixture, then grill or bake until crispy. For a vegan dressing, blend soaked cashews with lemon juice, garlic, nutritional yeast, and a touch of apple cider vinegar to create a creamy alternative to blue cheese dressing. This variation makes the buffalo chicken skewer salad concept accessible to those following plant-based diets.

Storage and Serving

Storage: For the best quality, store the components of this Chopped Buffalo Chicken Skewer Salad separately. The grilled buffalo chicken skewers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The blue cheese dressing stays fresh for up to 5 days when refrigerated in a sealed jar. Pre-cut salad ingredients (except avocado) can be stored in containers lined with paper towels for 2-3 days. Always slice avocado just before serving to prevent browning.

Serving Suggestions: For an impressive presentation, arrange the buffalo chicken skewers across the top of a large salad platter, allowing guests to help themselves. Alternatively, create a DIY salad bar with the grilled chicken, chopped vegetables, and dressing in separate bowls, letting everyone customize their own salad bowl.

This buffalo chicken skewer salad pairs wonderfully with garlic bread or warm pita on the side. For a complete meal, serve alongside a light corn and black bean salad or roasted sweet potato wedges. If serving for a party, consider offering small cups of chilled gazpacho as a starter to complement the bold flavors of the buffalo chicken.

FAQs

Can I make this buffalo chicken skewer salad ahead of time?
You can prepare all components up to a day ahead. Marinate and grill the chicken, then refrigerate. Make the dressing and chop all vegetables except avocado. Store everything separately and assemble just before serving for the freshest result.

How spicy is this salad?
The spice level depends on your choice of buffalo sauce. For a milder version, choose a sauce labeled “mild” or mix regular buffalo sauce with equal parts butter. For extra heat, select a “hot” variety or add cayenne pepper to your sauce.

Can I cook the chicken without a grill?
Absolutely! You can cook the skewers under a broiler for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through, or in a 425°F oven for about 15 minutes. A grill pan on the stovetop also works perfectly.

Is there a substitute for blue cheese?
If you don’t enjoy blue cheese, substitute ranch dressing and use shredded cheddar or monterey jack cheese instead. The salad will have a different profile but still complement the buffalo chicken beautifully.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast meat?
Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs make an excellent substitution and often result in juicier skewers. Cut them into similar-sized pieces and follow the same cooking instructions, checking for doneness at 165°F.

Conclusion

This Chopped Buffalo Chicken Skewer Salad is comfort food reimagined — all the bold, spicy flavor of classic buffalo wings transformed into a colorful, nutritious meal that satisfies on every level. It’s the kind of dish that bridges the gap between indulgence and wholesome eating, perfect for everything from casual weeknight dinners to game day gatherings. With its balance of protein, vegetables, and that irresistible buffalo kick, this salad proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. Make it once, and this versatile, flavor-packed creation is sure to become a regular in your meal rotation.

Print