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This quick and healthy buffalo chicken salad recipe is packed with flavor, lightened up, creamy, spicy, and so satisfying! It’s made with Greek yogurt, a touch of ranch seasoning, and hot sauce for the perfect balance of heat and tang. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or whipping up a quick lunch, this recipe is a go-to.
This healthy buffalo chicken salad comes together in just about 10 minutes, making it perfect for busy days. Enjoy it as a sandwich, wrap, lettuce cup, or on its own. There are so many ways to serve it! It’s a deliciously easy way to use up cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken, and it’s full of protein while being low in fat.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Healthy Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Quick & Easy: It’s ready in about 10 minutes with simple ingredients!
- Healthy: This recipe is made with Greek yogurt and light cheese. There’s no mayo or cream cheese!
- Versatile: Serve it on a bun, in a wrap, over lettuce, with crackers, or enjoy it right out of the bowl!
- High-Protein: With chicken and Greek yogurt as key ingredients, this salad is a protein-packed choice.
- Meal Prep Friendly: This chicken salad is easy to make in advance and keeps well in the fridge. It’s a great option for quick, satisfying lunches throughout the week.
“This is one of my favorite lunches! So easy, so tasty. Good with crackers, in mini sweet peppers, or a sandwich!”
– mickie
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken: Use diced or shredded fully cooked chicken breast for this recipe.
- Celery: Adds a refreshing crunch and extra flavor to the salad.
- Onion: Use sliced green onions for a milder taste, or diced white, sweet, or red onion if you prefer a sharper bite.
- Laughing Cow: Three light Laughing Cow cheese wedges add creaminess while keeping it lighter.
- Greek Yogurt: Non-fat Greek yogurt is the creamy, protein-packed base of the sauce.
- Ranch Seasoning: Use ranch seasoning powder to bring that classic tangy flavor.
- Hot Sauce: Add hot sauce for that kick of heat and classic buffalo flavor. We used Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce, but you can use your favorite.
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- What Chicken to Use: Any fully cooked chicken breast will work in this recipe. Some great options are rotisserie chicken breast, cubed grilled chicken breast, rinsed and drained canned chicken, or slow cooker shredded chicken.
- Cheese Options: If you don’t have The Laughing Cow cheese wedges, you can use four tablespoons of light cream cheese instead.
- The Best Hot Sauce to Use: Some great options are Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce, Frank’s Classic RedHot Sauce, or your favorite hot sauce.
- Onion Options: You can slice 2-3 green onions for this recipe. Or, use 1/4 cup of diced white, sweet, or red onion.
- Greek Yogurt Swap: You can swap the non-fat Greek yogurt with 2% or whole milk Greek yogurt if preferred. Or, if you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can use whipped cottage cheese for another creamy, protein-packed option! Or, try our buffalo chicken salad with cottage cheese or classic cottage cheese chicken salad recipe!
How To Make Healthy Buffalo Chicken Salad
Step 1: Add the shredded fully cooked chicken, chopped celery, and sliced green onions to a large bowl.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, add the Laughing Cow cheese wedges, Greek yogurt, ranch seasoning, and buffalo hot sauce. Make sure to mash the cheese wedges well and mix thoroughly until the sauce is smooth and fully combined.
Step 3: Pour the sauce into the large bowl. Toss everything together until the chicken salad is creamy and evenly coated.
Step 4: Serve the chicken salad immediately, or chill it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Serving Suggestions
This healthy buffalo chicken salad is super versatile! You can make lettuce wraps for a low-carb option, serve it on whole grain bread or wraps, enjoy it with celery sticks or mini bell peppers for a fresh, crunchy bite, or have it on crackers or cucumber slices for an easy snack. It’s also delicious in a sandwich with a soft Hawaiian roll, which is our favorite way to enjoy it! Or, simply eat it straight out of the bowl!
Shawna’s Expert Tips
- Adjust the Heat: You can adjust the heat of your buffalo chicken salad by adding more or less hot sauce to taste.
- Mash the Cheese Well: Thoroughly mash the cheese wedges into the sauce until completely smooth before combining with the chicken. This makes the salad super creamy and helps the flavors blend evenly.
- Use Pre-Cooked Chicken: Using pre-cooked chicken breast or rotisserie chicken saves time and makes prep even easier. Just shred it finely so it mixes well with the sauce.
- Chill Before Serving: We like to let this chicken salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. It makes it even more delicious!
Storage Instructions
You can store buffalo chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It’s perfect for meal prep and makes a great lunch, dinner, or snack!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo Chicken Salad Healthy?
Yes, this buffalo chicken salad is a healthy option. We use non-fat Greek yogurt to keep it low in fat while adding a boost of protein. We also use light Laughing Cow cheese, which is lower in calories yet still deliciously creamy. This buffalo chicken salad is so flavorful and satisfying, you won’t even notice it’s been lightened up!
How Long Does Buffalo Chicken Salad Last?
When stored in an airtight container in the fridge, this buffalo chicken salad will last for up to four days.
Can I Freeze Buffalo Chicken Salad?
No, we don’t recommend freezing buffalo chicken salad. Freezing can change the texture of the chicken and the creamy dressing. It’s best enjoyed fresh or stored in the refrigerator.
More Chicken Salad Recipes To Try!
- The Best Chicken Salad With Grapes and Tarragon
- Curry Chicken Salad
- Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad
- Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Waldorf Chicken Salad
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
BUFFALO CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fully cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 2-3 sliced green onions
- 3 wedges of light The Laughing Cow cheese
- 1/3 cup 0-fat greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons ranch seasoning powder
- 2 tablespoons Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce, or your favorite hot sauce
Instructions
- Add the shredded fully cooked chicken, chopped celery, and sliced green onions to a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, add the Laughing Cow cheese wedges, Greek yogurt, ranch seasoning, and buffalo hot sauce. Make sure to mash the cheese wedges well and mix thoroughly until the sauce is smooth and fully combined.
- Pour the sauce into the large bowl. Toss everything together until the chicken salad is creamy and evenly coated.
- Serve the chicken salad immediately, or chill it in an airtight container in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld.
Video
Notes
- Chicken to Use: Any fully cooked chicken breast will work in this recipe. Some great options are rotisserie chicken breast, cubed grilled chicken breast, or rinsed and drained canned chicken.
- Cheese Options: If you don’t have The Laughing Cow cheese wedges, you can use four tablespoons of light cream cheese instead.
- Hot Sauce to Use: Some great options are Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce, Frank’s Classic RedHot Sauce, or your favorite hot sauce.
- Adjust the Heat: You can adjust the heat of your buffalo chicken salad by adding more or less hot sauce to taste.
- Onion Options: You can slice 2-3 green onions for this recipe. Or, use 1/4 cup of diced white, sweet, or red onion.
- Greek Yogurt Swap: You can swap the non-fat Greek yogurt with 2% or whole milk Greek yogurt if preferred. Or, if you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can use whipped cottage cheese.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This Buffalo Chicken Salad is a game-changer, made with a creamy Greek yogurt dressing, ranch powder, and Frank’s RedHot for that perfect kick! It’s light on calories but bursting with flavor, making it a delicious, option for lunch or a healthy snack!
This is one of my favorite lunches! So easy, so tasty. Good with crackers, in mini sweet peppers, or a sandwich!
Hi Mickie, I’m so happy this buffalo chicken salad is one of your favorite lunches. Great ideas on how to serve it! Crackers, mini sweet peppers, and as a sandwich all sound delicious!