Buffalo Chicken Salad Featuring Bacon and Blue Cheese
This salad combines spicy buffalo chicken with crispy bacon and tangy blue cheese for a flavorful twist on a classic favorite. It's perfect for a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner that packs a punch.
Prep Time10 min
Cook Time15 min
Total Time25 min
Difficulty
Easy
Kitchen Tricks
Use cooked, shredded chicken for the best texture and flavor.
Toast the bacon until crispy but not burnt to add a nice crunch.
Toss the salad ingredients gently to keep the lettuce crisp and avoid wilting.
Ingredients
0/12
Why This Recipe Is So Enjoyable
This dish perfectly balances spicy, savory, and tangy flavors. The crispy bacon adds a satisfying crunch, while the creamy blue cheese cools down the heat from the buffalo sauce. It’s a refreshing and hearty salad that’s full of bold tastes.
Step 1
Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, turning it now and then until it’s nice and crispy, which should take about 10 minutes. Once it’s done, transfer the bacon to some paper towels to drain and cool.
Step 2
Use the bacon fat left in the skillet to warm up the chicken. Season it with a little salt and pepper and cook just until it starts to brown, about 3 minutes. Drain the chicken on paper towels, then toss it in a big bowl with the wing sauce until all the pieces are well coated. Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for about half an hour to let the flavors meld.
Step 3
When you’re ready, crumble the bacon into bite-sized pieces and add it to the chicken. Then throw in the tomatoes, radishes, lettuce, cucumber, celery, red onion, blue cheese, and your favorite dressing. Give everything a good toss, and divide the salad between two plates. Enjoy!
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people cooked this recipe
ByDavid Brown
David shares approachable recipes, helpful cooking tips, and simple meal ideas.
Best Ways To Serve
Serve this salad chilled or at room temperature for the best flavor. It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or warm tortilla chips. Add a drizzle of ranch or extra blue cheese dressing on the side for those who love more creaminess.
How To Store For Later
Keep the salad components separate if possible, especially the dressing and bacon. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days for freshness. Reheat the chicken separately if desired before assembling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken myself?
Yes, rotisserie chicken works well and saves time. Just cube it and toss with the wing sauce as directed.
What can I substitute for blue cheese if I don’t like it?
You can use feta cheese or omit the cheese entirely and still have a tasty salad.
How spicy is the salad with Buffalo wing sauce?
It has a mild to moderate spicy kick, but you can adjust the amount of wing sauce to suit your heat preference.
Can I prepare this salad in advance?
Yes, you can coat the chicken in wing sauce and refrigerate for up to 30 minutes before assembling the rest of the salad.
What type of lettuce works best for this salad?
Romaine lettuce is recommended for its crunch and freshness, but you can use other leafy greens if preferred.
Is it necessary to use the bacon fat to cook the chicken?
Using bacon fat adds flavor, but you can cook the chicken in a little oil or butter if you prefer.
Can I make this salad vegetarian?
You can omit the chicken and bacon and add extra veggies or a plant-based protein for a vegetarian version.
How should I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within 1-2 days for best freshness.
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