The Zesty Fried Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe You’ll Adore

Crisp lettuce meets spicy buffalo chicken in a wildly delicious salad that breaks all the predictable lunch rules.

Crunchy textures dance with zesty flavors across your plate.

Cool ranch dressing provides perfect counterpoint to the fiery meat.

Peppers and green onions add sharp color and unexpected crunch.

Blue cheese crumbles bring tangy richness to every refreshing bite.

Quick and simple ingredients create a meal that feels like restaurant-quality comfort food.

You’ll devour this salad faster than you can say “game day favorite.” Dive into a lunch that satisfies serious cravings without complicated preparation.

What Makes Buffalo Salad Stand Out Boldly

• Kick Up Flavor Excitement: Transform classic salad into a bold, spicy buffalo chicken adventure that takes your taste buds on a thrilling ride.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust buffalo sauce quantity to match personal heat preference, making this recipe perfectly adaptable for different spice lovers in the family.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Achieve professional-level crispy fried chicken and gourmet salad preparation without complicated techniques or specialized equipment.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Impress dinner guests or family members with a restaurant-inspired dish that combines protein-packed chicken, fresh vegetables, and zesty buffalo sauce in one satisfying meal.

Ingredients for Fried Buffalo Chicken Salad

• Chicken: Protein that becomes the star of the salad with a crispy coating.
• Buttermilk: Helps tenderize and add tangy flavor to the chicken.
• Flour: Creates a crispy golden exterior for the chicken.
• Eggs: Helps the flour adhere to the chicken for a perfect coating.

• Salt, Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor of the chicken.

• Hot Sauce: Provides the signature spicy buffalo flavor.
• Butter, Olive Oil: Create a rich and smooth sauce base.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth and complexity to the sauce.
• Vinegar: Brings a tangy balance to the spicy sauce.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic flavor to the buffalo sauce.

• Romaine Lettuce: Provides a crisp and fresh foundation for the salad.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Adds sweet and juicy bursts of flavor.
• Celery: Brings a crunchy texture to the salad.
• Carrots: Offers additional crunch and nutrition.

• Blue Cheese: Provides a creamy and tangy complement to the spicy chicken.
• Parsley, Dill, Chives: Fresh herbs that add brightness and aroma to the dish.

Steps for Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad Prep

Step 1: Prepare Oil Bath

Heat vegetable oil in a large cast iron pan until it reaches 350°F. The oil should be deep enough to create a perfect golden fry for your chicken.

Step 2: Create Coating Station

• Flour bowl
• Buttermilk and egg whisked mixture

Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Coat and Fry Chicken

Dunk each chicken piece into buttermilk mixture, then generously coat with flour.

Gently shake off excess flour.

Carefully lower chicken into hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy, turning once during cooking.

This should take about 8 minutes.

Step 4: Drain Chicken

Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.

Let chicken rest and cool slightly.

Step 5: Whip Up Buffalo Sauce

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

Whisk ingredients until well blended.

Step 6: Build Salad Base

• Chopped romaine lettuce
• Halved cherry tomatoes
• Sliced celery
• Shredded carrots

Step 7: Add Chicken and Sauce

Cut crispy chicken into bite-sized cubes.

Toss chicken with buffalo sauce.

Add chicken to salad mixture.

Step 8: Final Flourish

• Crumbled blue cheese
• Chopped parsley
• Fresh dill
• Minced chives

Gently toss all ingredients together.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Divide salad into individual serving bowls.

Serve immediately while chicken remains crisp and warm.

Tips to Get That Buffalo Chicken Crunch

• Use a cast iron pan for even heat distribution and consistent browning of the chicken pieces.
• Let fried chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels to maintain crispy texture and prevent sogginess.
• Start with half the recommended sauce amount and gradually add more to control spice level and prevent overwhelming the salad.
• Keep salad vegetables cold before mixing to maintain crispness and freshness of the overall dish.
• Crumble blue cheese right before serving to preserve its distinct texture and prevent clumping.

Ways to Change Up Buffalo Chicken Salad

• Crispy Ranch Buffalo Chicken Salad: Replace blue cheese with ranch dressing, mix directly into the salad for a tangy, creamy flavor that complements the spicy buffalo chicken.
• Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad: Swap fried chicken for grilled chicken breasts marinated in buffalo sauce, reducing oil and adding a healthier protein option with smoky char marks.
• Mediterranean Buffalo Chicken Salad: Incorporate cucumber, red onions, kalamata olives, and feta cheese instead of blue cheese, creating a Mediterranean-inspired version with zesty flavors.
• Crunchy Asian Buffalo Chicken Salad: Add crispy wonton strips, sliced almonds, and swap blue cheese for sesame seeds and green onions, introducing an Asian-inspired texture and taste profile.

Pairings That Complement Buffalo Chicken Salad

• Pair Zesty Beer with Spicy Wings: Crisp, hoppy India Pale Ale (IPA) cuts through the buffalo sauce's heat, refreshing your palate with each sip.
• Create Cooling Blue Cheese Dressing: Blend homemade ranch or blue cheese dressing to complement the chicken's spiciness, adding creamy balance to the tangy buffalo flavors.
• Select Crisp White Wine Companion: Grab a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, whose bright acidity and light body perfectly offset the salad's rich, spicy chicken.
• Craft Refreshing Citrus Mocktail: Mix sparkling water with fresh lemon juice, a splash of hot sauce, and mint leaves for a non-alcoholic drink that matches the salad's vibrant profile.

Keeping Buffalo Chicken Salad Fresh Longer

Store leftover fried buffalo chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Separate crispy chicken from salad to prevent sogginess.

Wrap fried chicken pieces individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Warm chicken in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes. Place on a wire rack or baking sheet to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwave to prevent losing crunch.

Keep salad vegetables and dressing separate when storing. Add fresh ingredients when ready to eat to maintain crisp texture and prevent wilting.

FAQs

• What type of oil works best for frying the chicken?

Vegetable oil or peanut oil are ideal for deep frying. They have high smoke points and neutral flavors that won’t overpower the chicken’s taste.

• Can I make this recipe less spicy?

Absolutely! Use a milder hot sauce or reduce the amount of buffalo sauce. You can also choose a hot sauce with lower heat levels to control the spiciness.

• Is there a healthier alternative to deep frying?

Yes, you can bake the chicken in the oven at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes. Coat the chicken with breadcrumbs and spray with cooking oil for a crispy texture.

Fried Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 28 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy fried buffalo chicken salad brings zesty flavors dancing across crisp greens with homemade ranch dressing. Crunchy chicken pieces drizzled in tangy sauce create a perfect balance for hungry diners seeking quick comfort on their plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 large boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 1 pound), sliced in half lengthwise

Coating and Frying Ingredients:

• 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, as needed
• Freshly ground black pepper, as needed
• Vegetable oil, as needed, for frying

Buffalo Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons / 30 milliliters) melted butter
• 0.25 cup (0.25 cup / 60 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
• 0.25 cup (0.25 cup / 60 milliliters) hot sauce of choice (e.g., Franks Red Hot)
• 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 (1 cup / 240 milliliters) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 0.5 cup (0.5 cup / 120 milliliters) thinly sliced celery
• 0.5 cup (0.5 cup / 120 milliliters) thinly sliced carrots
• 0.5

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large cast iron pan by filling with vegetable oil to a 2-inch depth. Heat oil to precisely 350°F for optimal frying temperature.
2. Create two separate coating stations: one with seasoned flour, another with whisked buttermilk and eggs. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper beforehand.
3. Thoroughly coat each chicken piece first in buttermilk mixture, then completely dredge in flour, ensuring even coverage by shaking off excess flour.
4. Carefully lower coated chicken into hot oil, frying for approximately 8 minutes. Flip once to achieve uniform golden-brown exterior and ensure complete internal cooking.
5. Transfer fried chicken from oil onto paper towel-lined surface or wire rack 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. Combine chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, celery, and carrots in a large salad bowl, mixing ingredients thoroughly.
8. Cut crispy fried chicken into uniform cubes and add to salad mixture. Drizzle with buffalo sauce, tossing to distribute flavors evenly.
9. Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese, freshly chopped parsley, dill, and chives over the salad. Gently toss to integrate ingredients without crushing delicate components.
10. Immediately serve salad divided among individual bowls to maintain optimal temperature and texture.

Notes

• Precisely control oil temperature to ensure crispy, golden-brown chicken without burning or undercooking the meat.
• Use a deep-fry thermometer for accurate oil temperature monitoring during frying process.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help flour adhere better and create crunchier coating.
• Experiment with different hot sauce varieties like Sriracha or Frank’s RedHot for unique buffalo sauce flavor profiles.
• Substitute blue cheese with feta or goat cheese for lighter, tangier alternative if desired.
• Allow fried chicken to rest on wire rack instead of paper towels to maintain maximum crispiness and prevent soggy texture.
• Prepare buffalo sauce ahead of time and store in refrigerator for more intense flavor development.
• Consider gluten-free option by replacing wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour for chicken coating.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 384 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 730 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 135 mg