HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I made you a present.
Whenever I’m coming out of a self imposed sugar coma, I always want flavors that a bold, flavorful and spicy. My palet gets used to too much sugary goodness, and I need equally strong and delicious flavors to combat my cravings. And if I don’t have to put too much effort in, well, that’s just an added bonus. 😉
Have I shared my undying love of buffalo sauce? It’s on my menu scanning list. Please tell me you have one of those too? You know, you sit down at a new restaurant, open the menu, and scan for your favorites which, if you’re me, include goat cheese, avocado, roasted red peppers, bleu cheese, cilantro, and buffalo sauce. Two menu scanners in one recipe. Also, fresh crumbled blue cheese would be AWESOME on this when served, especially if you make it into a sandwich.
But let’s be honest. This only actually ever made it to sandwich form for this photo. The rest of the time it was lucky if it made it onto a plate, and wasn’t eaten straight out of the container. What can I say? I’m kind of a gross human. And I’m lazy, but I swear I have lots of redeeming qualities. I do really great impersonations.
And I make chicken salad. Chicken salad that is bold and spicy without being overpowering. It breaks all the chicken salad rules using no mayo and fresh, fall-off-the-bone rotisserie chicken combined with zesty ranch seasonings, crisp celery, and fresh cilantro. You will love how quickly and easily this meal comes together. It is perfect for make ahead lunches, or serving a large group. It is the ultimate taste-good-feel-good kinda meal. Just the way I like it!
Healthy, bold and spicy buffalo chicken salad with no mayo. A super addicting and easy make ahead lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 2/3 cup buffalo sauce (I recommend Frank's Red Hot)
- pinch freshly ground pepper
- 1-2 tsp ranch seasoning
- 1-2 tbs chopped fresh cilantro
- meat from 1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed
- 1 cup chopped celery
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, buffalo sauce, pepper, ranch seasoning and cilantro. Set aside. Place remaining ingredients in a large bowl, and lightly toss. Stir in dressing until well combined. Eat immediately, or store in refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Notes
**Note: I would call this a medium on the spice level. If you'd like to make it more/less spicy, just adjust the yogurt/buffalo sauce ratio.
I must have this in my life soon!
That’s one BUFF chicken salad… Watch out for that guy at the gym, LOL!!! 😉 Happy New Year!!!
Oh and PS: Your food pictures are soooo prettyyyy!!!! 🙂
this would be MY favorite way to come out of a sugar coma too Ari!! I looooooove everything about buffalo chicken salads. And I like it extra spicy – love that you made it with greek yogurt too! I want a huge scoop of this over my salad at lunch today!
Ohhhhh, I am so making this soon and I can guarantee it won’t be making it to sandwich form. Thank you, a former Buffalo girl
This sounds so good! I love the colour of it too.
Thanks Caroline! 🙂
Would this be good served on a crescent roll? Looking for a good buffalo chicken salad recipe for a baby shower. Thanks