Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe

Imagine biting into tender, smoky Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad with the perfect balance of spicy heat and cool, creamy dressing. This vibrant dish combines crispy fresh vegetables with charred, buffalo-sauce glazed chicken for a meal that’s both satisfying and refreshingly light. The tangy buffalo sauce creates an irresistible flavor profile that transforms an ordinary salad into a crave-worthy feast. You’ll learn how to perfectly grill chicken, balance flavors, and assemble a restaurant-quality Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad that will impress family and friends alike.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad hits all the right notes for a memorable meal. The contrast between the warm, spicy chicken and the cool, crisp vegetables creates a textural symphony that keeps each bite interesting. The smoky char from the grill adds depth to the chicken, while the buffalo sauce provides that addictive tangy kick that buffalo lovers crave.

What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility. It works equally well as a light lunch option or a satisfying dinner. The protein-packed chicken ensures you’ll feel full and energized, not weighed down like with many heavy meals. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free and can easily be prepped ahead of time—perfect for busy weeknights or meal planning.

The homemade blue cheese dressing takes this buffalo chicken salad to the next level, offering a creamy counterpoint to the spicy buffalo sauce. Each component complements the others perfectly, creating a balanced dish that satisfies multiple cravings at once.

Ingredients

For the Buffalo Chicken:

• 1½ pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon (5g) garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon (5g) onion powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5g) salt
• ¼ teaspoon (1g) black pepper
• ⅔ cup (160ml) buffalo sauce, divided (Frank’s RedHot works perfectly)

For the Salad:

• 8 cups (480g) romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 stalks (100g) celery, thinly sliced
• 1 medium (120g) cucumber, diced
• ½ cup (75g) red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 medium (120g) avocado, diced
• ½ cup (60g) crumbled blue cheese

For the Blue Cheese Dressing:

• ½ cup (120ml) sour cream
• ¼ cup (60ml) mayonnaise
• ¼ cup (60g) blue cheese crumbles
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon (1g) garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Pro Tips

Perfect Grilled Chicken: The key to juicy buffalo chicken for this salad is even thickness. Pound chicken breasts to an even ½-inch thickness before grilling. This ensures they cook evenly without drying out. For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken in a tablespoon of buffalo sauce for 30 minutes before grilling.

Buffalo Sauce Application: Instead of mixing all the buffalo sauce with the chicken at once, use a two-stage approach. Brush the chicken with a thin layer of sauce during the last few minutes of grilling to create a sticky glaze. Then, toss the sliced chicken with additional sauce just before serving. This creates layers of flavor and prevents the sauce from burning on the grill.

Temperature Control: For the perfect Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad, don’t serve all components at the same temperature. Allow the grilled chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and adding to the salad. This slight cooling creates a wonderful contrast between the warm chicken and the cool, crisp vegetables, enhancing the overall eating experience.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Begin by placing chicken breasts between plastic wrap and using a meat mallet to pound them to an even ½-inch thickness. This ensures quick, even cooking. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture over both sides of the chicken breasts, then place them in a shallow dish. Pour 2 tablespoons of buffalo sauce over the chicken, turning to coat. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor).

Step 2: Make the Blue Cheese Dressing

While the chicken marinates, prepare your homemade blue cheese dressing. In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, blue cheese crumbles, lemon juice, and garlic powder. Mix well, mashing some of the blue cheese crumbles against the side of the bowl to infuse the dressing with flavor. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Step 3: Grill the Chicken

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F/204°C). Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking. Place the marinated chicken on the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). During the last 2 minutes of cooking, brush the chicken with 2 more tablespoons of buffalo sauce, creating a delicious glaze.

Step 4: Rest and Slice the Chicken

Transfer the grilled chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring it stays moist when sliced. After resting, slice the chicken against the grain into ½-inch strips. In a medium bowl, toss the sliced chicken with ¼ cup of buffalo sauce, ensuring each piece is well coated.

Step 5: Assemble the Salad

In a large salad bowl, combine the romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, celery, cucumber, and red onion. Toss lightly to mix. Add the diced avocado and half of the blue cheese crumbles, gently folding them in. Arrange the buffalo-coated chicken slices on top of the salad. Drizzle with the remaining buffalo sauce and sprinkle with the remaining blue cheese crumbles.

Step 6: Serve

Serve the Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad immediately with the blue cheese dressing on the side, allowing everyone to dress their salad according to their preference. For a complete meal, pair with garlic bread or a side of ranch dressing for additional dipping options.

Variations

Southwest Buffalo Chicken Salad: Add a southwestern twist by incorporating black beans, corn, and diced bell peppers to the salad base. Replace the blue cheese dressing with an avocado ranch dressing, and garnish with crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch. The combination of buffalo spice with southwestern ingredients creates a delightful fusion that’s perfect for summer gatherings.

Keto-Friendly Buffalo Chicken Salad: For a low-carb version, increase the avocado and add hard-boiled eggs for extra healthy fats. Use a full-fat blue cheese dressing and add extra olive oil. This variation of the Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad keeps carbs to a minimum while maximizing satisfying fats and proteins, making it perfect for those following a ketogenic diet.

Buffalo Chicken Salad Wraps: Transform this salad into a portable meal by wrapping all ingredients in large flour tortillas or lettuce leaves. Add a thin layer of blue cheese dressing directly to the wrap before adding the salad ingredients. This variation makes for an excellent lunch option that can be prepared ahead of time and eaten on the go.

Storage and Serving

Store the components of your Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad separately for maximum freshness. The grilled buffalo chicken can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The blue cheese dressing will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Prepared salad vegetables (without dressing) can be stored for 1-2 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.

For a stunning presentation, serve this salad on a large platter rather than a bowl, arranging the colorful components in sections before adding the chicken on top. This makes for a beautiful visual impact at dinner parties or family meals.

This salad pairs wonderfully with garlic bread, sweet potato fries, or a light soup for a complete meal. For a refreshing beverage pairing, try an ice-cold light beer or a citrusy white wine to complement the spicy buffalo flavors.

FAQs

Can I make this salad with pre-cooked chicken?
Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken. Simply warm the chicken, toss it with buffalo sauce, and add it to your salad. While you’ll miss the smoky grill flavor, it’s a great time-saving option.

Is there a substitute for blue cheese if I don’t like it?
Absolutely! Feta cheese offers a similar crumbly texture with a milder flavor. For the dressing, you can substitute ranch dressing with excellent results. The tanginess pairs perfectly with the buffalo chicken.

How spicy is this Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad?
The spice level depends on your choice of buffalo sauce. For a milder version, choose a “mild” buffalo sauce or dilute regular buffalo sauce with a bit of melted butter. For heat lovers, look for “hot” varieties or add a few dashes of cayenne pepper.

Can this salad be made ahead for meal prep?
Yes! Prepare all components separately and store them in the refrigerator. The chicken can be grilled up to 3 days ahead, and the dressing can be made up to 5 days in advance. Assemble just before eating for the freshest result.

What’s the best way to warm leftover buffalo chicken?
For the best texture, warm leftover chicken in a skillet over medium heat just until heated through. Microwave heating tends to make the chicken rubbery. Add a splash of fresh buffalo sauce after reheating to refresh the flavor.

Conclusion

This Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad is comfort food reinvented in a lighter, brighter form — spicy, tangy, and utterly satisfying while still being fresh and nutritious. It’s the kind of dish that proves healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or bland. Whether you’re hosting friends for a casual dinner, meal prepping for the week ahead, or simply craving those classic buffalo flavors without the heaviness of traditional wings, this salad delivers on all fronts. The combination of smoky grilled chicken, zesty buffalo sauce, crisp vegetables, and creamy blue cheese creates a symphony of flavors that will have you coming back to this recipe again and again.

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