Looking for a quick, flavor-packed meal that satisfies everyone at the table? This Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad is a creamy, tangy mix of protein-rich chicken, spicy buffalo sauce, and cool ranch seasoning—perfect for wraps, sandwiches, or dipping. It’s a go-to in my busy kitchen and ideal for meal prepping or feeding a crowd. In this article, we’ll walk through how to make this wholesome, zesty dish from scratch, answer some popular questions, and explore fun ways to serve it. Whether you’re team spicy or ranch all the way, you’re in for a treat.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why This Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad Belongs in Your Meal Plan
Bold flavor, minimal fuss
I still remember the first time I tossed together this Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad. My kids were begging for something different, and I had leftover shredded chicken in the fridge. So I reached for Frank’s Red Hot, mixed it with a bit of Greek yogurt and ranch seasoning—and just like that, magic. The creamy tang of ranch balanced the fiery heat perfectly, and the crunch from carrots and celery brought it all home.
This recipe isn’t just a lifesaver on busy nights—it’s a lunchbox hero, a party dip crowd-pleaser, and a dinner wrap favorite. I like to make a batch on Sunday and scoop it onto everything from crackers to romaine leaves during the week. It’s one of those simple recipes that proves real flavor doesn’t take fancy ingredients.
Great way to use up leftover or rotisserie chicken
You don’t even have to start from scratch. While I often poach chicken breast with peppercorns and garlic for that homemade touch, rotisserie chicken works beautifully here. The salad dressing comes together in minutes with non-fat Greek yogurt, light mayo, ranch seasoning, and hot sauce. Once you fold in the crisp carrots, celery, red onion, and scallions, every bite bursts with flavor.
This dish fits right in with other reader favorites like our 5-Ingredient Chicken Salad and the sweet-tart Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad. It’s healthy, hearty, and versatile. Whether you’re eating low carb or need something protein-packed, this salad’s got your back.
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Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad Recipe: A Creamy Twist You’ll Love
This Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad is packed with shredded chicken, tangy buffalo sauce, and creamy ranch. It’s perfect for wraps, sandwiches, or as a dip!
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
1 cup plain non fat Greek yogurt
⅓ cup light mayo
⅓ cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
2 tsp Hidden Valley ranch seasoning and salad dressing powder
1/2 cup carrots, shredded
1/2 cup celery, diced
1/4 cup red onion, diced
3 scallions, chopped
3 lbs chicken breast, raw
1 tbsp whole peppercorns
2 garlic cloves, smashed
1 tsp kosher salt
2 bay leaves, dried
Instructions
1. Place raw chicken breasts in a large pot.
2. Add salt, peppercorns, garlic, and bay leaves.
3. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 20–25 minutes.
5. Remove and shred cooked chicken. Let cool.
6. In a bowl, mix hot sauce, yogurt, mayo, and ranch seasoning.
7. Fold in shredded chicken, carrots, celery, onion, and scallions.
8. Serve chilled in wraps, on bread, or with crackers.
Notes
Yields 6 cups of chicken salad. Store in airtight container for up to 5 days. Great for meal prep and parties.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 heaping cup
- Calories: 225
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Ingredients that Make Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad Unbeatable
Simple ingredients, big flavor
You don’t need a mile-long grocery list to make great food. This Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad keeps it simple and satisfying. The base starts with lean shredded chicken breast—either poached with garlic and bay leaf or picked up from a rotisserie for convenience. It’s full of protein and perfect for making ahead.
What makes the flavor really pop is the homemade buffalo ranch dressing. With just four ingredients—Greek yogurt, light mayo, Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, and ranch seasoning—you get that signature creamy, spicy combo. It’s light yet rich and sticks to every bite of chicken and veggie.
The mix-ins matter too. Freshly diced celery, shredded carrots, red onion, and scallions add texture and a cooling crunch. These aren’t just filler—they help balance the heat and make every bite feel hearty, not heavy. I love the contrast between the tangy dressing and the sweetness of carrots or the bite from the scallions. This combo is what sets this Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad apart.
Why ranch and buffalo work so well together
It’s no surprise that ranch and buffalo sauce are such a beloved pair. The creamy herbs in ranch mellow out the vinegary spice of the buffalo sauce, making the salad bold without being overwhelming. If you’re curious, mixing ranch and buffalo is one of the best ways to balance heat with creaminess, which is why it’s also a classic in wraps and dips.
This salad makes a great protein-packed lunch just like our Air Fryer Chicken Salad or a flavorful side next to this Dijon Potato Salad. No matter how you serve it, the ingredients in Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad bring flavor and nutrition in equal measure.
How to Make Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad Step-by-Step
The best method for tender shredded chicken
To make the best Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad, it starts with perfectly cooked chicken. I recommend poaching your chicken breast in water with whole peppercorns, smashed garlic, bay leaves, and kosher salt. This keeps the chicken juicy and flavorful. After a quick simmer, let it cool and shred it using two forks—it should pull apart easily and soak up the dressing beautifully.
If you’re short on time, rotisserie chicken is your shortcut. Just be sure to remove the skin and shred the breast meat well. You’ll want about six cups total for this recipe, which serves up to six hearty portions.
Mixing the ultimate buffalo ranch dressing
Now for the fun part—the creamy, spicy dressing that defines this dish. In a large bowl, stir together one cup of Greek yogurt, ⅓ cup light mayo, ⅓ cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, and two teaspoons of ranch seasoning powder. It’ll be thick, tangy, and packed with flavor.
Stir in the chopped celery, red onion, scallions, shredded chicken, and shredded carrots. Make sure everything is coated evenly. You’ll end up with a bold and creamy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad that’s perfect for wraps, sandwiches, or scooping up with crackers and celery sticks.
This recipe pairs great with picnic classics like American Potato Salad or this cooling Buttermilk Ranch Potato Salad on the side. It’s a crowd-pleaser for potlucks, meal preps, and weeknight dinners.
Want to tone down the heat? Add more yogurt. Like it spicier? Splash in more hot sauce. That’s the beauty of this dish—it’s flexible and foolproof.
Serving Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad for Every Occasion
Easy meal prep for lunch or gatherings
This Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad is more than a simple recipe—it’s a meal prep MVP. I like to portion it into airtight containers for the week ahead. It keeps well for 4–5 days in the fridge and the flavor only gets better as it sits. Whether you need a quick lunch between meetings or a snack before soccer practice, it’s ready when you are.
For lunches, spoon it into lettuce cups or whole grain wraps. For parties or game days, serve it with celery sticks, crackers, or toasted baguette slices. It also makes a great sandwich filler—just add a slice of cheddar and crisp lettuce on your favorite roll.
I’ve even layered it into mini sliders for BBQs and paired it with a scoop of BBQ Chicken Macaroni Salad or a tangy side like Dill Pickle Potato Salad. It’s a flexible recipe that fits any table, any time.
How to adjust spice levels for the whole family
Feeding little ones or spice-sensitive eaters? You can easily reduce the hot sauce or increase the Greek yogurt to tone down the heat. Want to turn up the spice? Swap in a hotter buffalo sauce or stir in a few dashes of cayenne.
This Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad makes room for your taste buds. I love watching my kids scoop it up with crackers while I pile mine high with extra scallions and hot sauce. Everyone wins with this one.
No matter how you serve it, this salad brings big flavor and even bigger convenience. It’s a staple in my kitchen, and I know it’ll earn a spot in yours.
FAQ Section
What kind of dressing goes on buffalo chicken salad?
Buffalo chicken salad typically uses a mix of buffalo sauce and ranch dressing. In this version, the creamy dressing is made with Greek yogurt, light mayo, ranch seasoning, and Frank’s Red Hot Sauce for a spicy, tangy balance.
Is mixing ranch and buffalo sauce good?
Absolutely! Ranch cools down the heat of buffalo sauce, creating a creamy, spicy combination that’s beloved in sandwiches, dips, and salads—especially in this Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad.
What comes on the buffalo ranch chicken sandwich?
A buffalo ranch chicken sandwich usually includes crispy or grilled chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, lettuce, and sometimes pickles or onions—all packed into a toasted bun.
Why did Chick-fil-A stop selling chicken salad?
Chick-fil-A discontinued its classic chicken salad in 2017 to simplify its menu. Fans still recreate it at home with similar ingredients: shredded chicken, mayo, celery, and seasoning.
Conclusion
Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad is one of those no-fuss recipes that delivers every single time. It’s bold, creamy, crunchy, and endlessly versatile—whether you serve it on a sandwich, with veggie sticks, or straight out of the bowl. Packed with lean protein and balanced flavors, it’s ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, and gatherings. You can adjust the spice, switch up how you serve it, and still get a dish that satisfies every craving. Give this simple, flavorful salad a spot on your weekly menu—you won’t regret it.
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