Zesty Crispy Fried Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe for All Seasons

Crafting the perfect crispy fried buffalo chicken salad sparks joy in my kitchen every single time.

Spicy notes dance with cool, crisp greens for an irresistible meal.

Crunchy chicken pieces coated in zesty sauce bring incredible depth to this classic dish.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference when creating something spectacular.

Summer or winter, this recipe delivers bold flavors that surprise and delight.

Craving comfort food with a twist?

Ready to experience a culinary adventure that satisfies every taste bud?

Why You’ll Crave This Buffalo Chicken Salad

• Customize Your Crunch: Adjust the buffalo sauce quantity to match your spice preference, creating a personalized flavor profile that suits your taste buds perfectly.
• Master Culinary Techniques: Learn professional frying methods with cast iron pan cooking, developing kitchen skills while preparing a restaurant-quality meal at home.
• Protein-Packed Meal Solution: Transform classic buffalo chicken into a nutritious salad that combines crispy protein with fresh vegetables, making it a balanced and satisfying dinner option.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Impress family and friends with a dish that combines classic buffalo flavors and fresh salad ingredients, perfect for casual gatherings or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients in Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad Bowl

• Chicken: Lean and flavorful meat that serves as the main protein source for this crispy buffalo-style salad.

• Romaine Lettuce, Cherry Tomatoes, Celery, Carrots: Fresh vegetables that provide crunch, color, and nutritional variety to the salad.

• Flour: Creates a crispy exterior for the chicken.
• Buttermilk, Eggs: Help the flour coating adhere to the chicken and provide a rich, tangy base.
• Vegetable Oil: Allows for deep frying and creating a golden, crisp chicken texture.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Add richness and smooth texture to the sauce.
• Hot Sauce: Provides the signature spicy buffalo flavor.
• Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness to the sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce, Garlic: Enhance the depth of flavor in the buffalo sauce.

• Blue Cheese: Adds a creamy, tangy element to the salad.
• Parsley, Dill, Chives: Fresh herbs that provide additional flavor and color.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the chicken and salad.

Making Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad at Home

Step 1: Prepare Frying Oil

Heat vegetable oil in a large cast iron pan until it reaches 350°F. The oil should be about 2 inches deep, creating the perfect environment for crispy frying.

Step 2: Create Coating Station

• Flour in the first bowl
• Buttermilk and eggs whisked together in the second bowl

Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Dredge Chicken

Dip each chicken piece into the buttermilk mixture, then coat thoroughly with flour.

Shake off any excess coating to ensure a light, crispy exterior.

Step 4: Fry Chicken To Golden Perfection

Carefully place chicken in hot oil and fry until golden brown.

Cook for approximately 8 minutes, turning once to ensure even cooking. The chicken should develop a beautiful crisp exterior.

Step 5: Drain Fried Chicken

Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate or cooling rack. This helps remove excess oil and keeps the chicken crispy.

Step 6: Whip Up Buffalo Sauce

• Melted butter
• Olive oil
• Hot sauce
• Vinegar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Minced garlic

Whisk ingredients until well blended.

Step 7: Prepare Salad Base

• Chopped romaine lettuce
• Cherry tomatoes
• Celery
• Carrots

Toss ingredients to create a vibrant vegetable mix.

Step 8: Assemble Buffalo Chicken Salad

Chop the fried chicken into cubes and add to the salad bowl. Drizzle with buffalo sauce and toss gently.

Step 9: Final Touches

• Crumbled blue cheese
• Fresh parsley
• Dill
• Chives

Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.

Step 10: Serve Immediately

Divide the salad among serving bowls and enjoy the delicious combination of crispy chicken and fresh vegetables.

Best Tips for Crispy Buffalo Chicken Chunks

• Use a wire rack over a baking sheet to let excess oil drip off, ensuring maximum crispiness without sogginess.
• Adjust hot sauce quantity to match personal heat tolerance, mixing gradually for perfect buffalo flavor balance.
• Marinate chicken in buttermilk mixture for 30 minutes before coating to enhance tenderness and develop deeper flavor.
• Maintain steady 350°F oil temperature while frying to prevent greasy or undercooked chicken, using a kitchen thermometer for accuracy.
• Assemble salad right before eating to preserve chicken's crispy texture and prevent wilting of fresh vegetables.

Spicy Salad Spins for Buffalo Chicken Lovers

• Spicy Ranch Remix: Replace buffalo sauce with zesty ranch dressing, adding extra hot sauce for kick and incorporating crispy bacon bits for additional texture.
• Mediterranean Buffalo Style: Swap romaine for mixed greens, add cucumber, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese instead of blue cheese, using olive oil-based buffalo sauce.
• Crunchy Asian-Inspired Fusion: Substitute buffalo sauce with sriracha-honey glaze, include shredded cabbage, sliced green onions, and crispy wonton strips for Asian-inspired crunch.
• Low-Carb Keto Option: Replace flour coating with crushed pork rinds, use cauliflower instead of traditional salad base, and incorporate avocado chunks for healthy fats.

Tasty Foods That Go With Buffalo Chicken Salad

• Craft Complementary Beer Pairing: Crisp, hoppy IPA cuts through the buffalo sauce's heat, balancing the salad's rich flavors with its citrusy and bitter undertones.
• Elevate with Chilled White Wine: Sauvignon blanc offers a refreshing, acidic contrast to the fried chicken, cleansing the palate with its light, zesty character.
• Cool Down with Craft Cocktail: Mojito's mint and lime provide a bright, cooling effect that complements the spicy buffalo sauce and crispy chicken texture.
• Create Creamy Drink Match: Buttermilk-based smoothie echoes the recipe's buttermilk coating, offering a tangy, smooth counterpoint to the salad's bold flavors.

How to Keep This Buffalo Salad Fresh Today

Store leftover salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep chicken and salad components separate to maintain crispiness.

Wrap fried chicken pieces individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Avoid freezing dressed salad.

Warm chicken in preheated oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy texture.

Add fresh vegetables and drizzle new buffalo sauce before serving to revive wilted greens and enhance flavor.

FAQs

• Why use buttermilk for coating the chicken?

Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken and creates a thicker, crispier coating by breaking down proteins and adding extra flavor to the meat.

• Can I use a different type of hot sauce?

While traditional buffalo sauce works best, you can experiment with sriracha, tabasco, or other spicy sauces to create your own unique flavor profile.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and appears golden brown and crispy on the outside.

• Is blue cheese necessary for this recipe?

Blue cheese adds a tangy, sharp flavor that complements the buffalo sauce, but you can substitute with feta or skip it if you’re not a fan.

Crispy Fried Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 33 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Salad delivers a zesty crunch that dances between crisp greens and fiery protein. Crisp lettuce mingles with golden chicken strips, promising a flavor explosion that brings cool refreshment alongside bold heat for hungry palates.

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Ingredients

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Chicken and Coating:

• 2 large boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 1 pound)
• 1.5 cups (1.5 cups / 360 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (1 cup / 240 milliliters) low-fat buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Frying and Sauce Components:

• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons / 30 milliliters) melted butter
• 1/4 cup (1/4 cup / 60 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup (1/4 cup / 60 milliliters) hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon / 15 milliliters) distilled white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon / 5 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Salad Ingredients:

• 3 hearts of romaine, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots
• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
• 1 teaspoon chopped dill
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives

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Instructions

1. Prepare a deep cast iron skillet by pouring vegetable oil to a 2-inch depth and heating to 350°F for optimal frying temperature.
2. Create three separate preparation stations: one with seasoned flour, another with whisked buttermilk and eggs, and a third for seasoning chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Thoroughly coat each chicken piece first in buttermilk mixture, then generously dredge in seasoned flour, ensuring an even, light coating and shaking off excess.
4. Carefully lower chicken into hot oil, maintaining consistent temperature, and fry until exterior turns golden brown and crispy, approximately 8 minutes, turning once midway.
5. Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined surface to drain excess oil and maintain crispiness.
6. Craft buffalo sauce by whisking melted butter, olive oil, hot sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic in a mixing bowl until smoothly combined.
7. Assemble salad base by combining chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, celery, and carrots in a large serving bowl.
8. Cut crispy chicken into uniform cubes and gently toss with salad ingredients, drizzling half cup of prepared buffalo sauce to enhance flavor.
9. Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese and freshly chopped herbs like parsley, dill, and chives over the salad.
10. Distribute salad into individual serving bowls and serve immediately for maximum texture and temperature enjoyment.

Notes

• Maintain the perfect oil temperature using a thermometer to ensure crispy, golden-brown chicken without burning.
• Experiment with gluten-free flour or almond flour for a low-carb alternative that still provides a crunchy coating.
• Let the chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels to prevent soggy bottoms and maintain maximum crispiness.
• Customize the heat level by adjusting the hot sauce quantity or mixing different types of hot sauces for a unique flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 850 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 60 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 40 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 50 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg