3 Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Buffalo chicken pasta salad is a perfect dish for anyone who loves the spicy, tangy kick of buffalo sauce paired with the creamy texture of pasta salad.

This dish combines the best of both worlds, offering the heat of buffalo chicken along with the comfort of a pasta salad. Whether you’re preparing it for a picnic, a barbecue, or just as a family dinner, buffalo chicken pasta salad can be easily customized to suit your taste.

In this post, we’ll share three delicious Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad, along with helpful cooking tips, storage advice, and nutritional information to help you make the most of this bold dish.

Essential Cooking Tools:

To make sure your buffalo chicken pasta salad comes out perfect every time, here are the essential tools you’ll need:

• Large pot for boiling pasta

• Colander for draining pasta and vegetables

• Large mixing bowl for combining all ingredients

• Small bowl for preparing the dressing or buffalo sauce

• Whisk or spoon for mixing the dressing

• Sharp knife for chopping chicken and vegetables

• Measuring spoons and cups for accurate measurements

• Baking sheet for baking the chicken (if needed)

These basic tools will ensure you can create the perfect buffalo chicken pasta salad quickly and easily.

3 Buffalo chicken pasta salad:

Love bold, zesty flavors? Dive into 3 delicious Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad recipes below—each one creamy, spicy, and perfect for summer meals or game day gatherings.

Recipe 1: Classic Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

This classic recipe takes the traditional buffalo chicken flavors and combines them with pasta, vegetables, and a creamy dressing. It’s the perfect balance of heat and coolness, making it an irresistible salad for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rotini pasta (or any pasta shape of your choice)

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded

• 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped

• 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped

• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1/4 cup buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade)

• 1/2 cup ranch dressing

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation & Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta: Boil the rotini pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool.

2. Prepare the Chicken: If not already cooked, grill or bake the chicken breast and shred it using two forks.

3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir until well mixed.

4. Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, celery, red onion, and shredded cheddar cheese.

5. Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together until well coated.

6. Serve: Serve immediately, or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.

Bonus Tip:

For extra heat, add a few dashes of hot sauce to the dressing, or mix in some diced jalapeños for an added kick.

Customization Ideas:

• Add chopped bell peppers or carrots for extra crunch.

• Use Greek yogurt instead of ranch dressing for a healthier version.

Full Recipes

2: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

If you’re a fan of blue cheese, this version of buffalo chicken pasta salad is for you. The creamy blue cheese dressing complements the spicy buffalo sauce, giving the salad a rich, tangy flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked penne pasta

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded

• 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped

• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped

• 1/2 cup blue cheese dressing

• 1/4 cup buffalo sauce

• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation & Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta: Boil the penne pasta according to package directions, drain, and let it cool.

2. Prepare the Chicken: Grill or bake the chicken breast, then shred it.

3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together blue cheese dressing and buffalo sauce.

4. Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the pasta, shredded chicken, celery, green onions, and crumbled blue cheese.

5. Dress the Salad: Pour the buffalo blue cheese dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.

6. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve chilled.

Bonus Tip:

If you prefer a spicier salad, top it with some extra crumbled blue cheese or add more buffalo sauce to the dressing.

Customization Ideas:

• Use grilled shrimp instead of chicken for a seafood version of the salad.

• Swap the blue cheese dressing for a yogurt-based dressing to reduce calories.

Full Recipes

3: Creamy Avocado Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

This creamy avocado buffalo chicken pasta salad is the perfect fusion of creamy avocado and spicy buffalo sauce. It’s a great option for those who enjoy a rich, smooth dressing that complements the heat from the buffalo sauce.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked farfalle pasta (bow-tie pasta)

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded

• 1 ripe avocado, mashed

• 1/4 cup buffalo sauce

• 1/4 cup sour cream

• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt

• 1 tablespoon lime juice

• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation & Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta: Boil the farfalle pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside to cool.

2. Prepare the Chicken: Cook the chicken breast, then shred it using two forks.

3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the mashed avocado, buffalo sauce, sour cream, Greek yogurt, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well until smooth and creamy.

4. Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and cilantro.

5. Dress the Salad: Add the creamy avocado dressing to the pasta mixture and toss gently to coat.

6. Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for 15-20 minutes for the flavors to blend.

Bonus Tip:

For added creaminess, you can add a bit more Greek yogurt or sour cream. Alternatively, use a dairy-free yogurt if you want to make this recipe dairy-free.

Customization Ideas:

• Add diced tomatoes or cucumbers for extra freshness.

• Use quinoa or a gluten-free pasta to make the dish gluten-free.

Full  recipes

How to Store Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad:

Buffalo chicken pasta salad is best served fresh, but you can store any leftovers for later enjoyment:

• Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. If the salad becomes too dry, you can add a little extra dressing or a splash of buffalo sauce before serving.

• Avoid Freezing: Freezing is not recommended, as the texture of the pasta and chicken will change when thawed, and the dressing may separate.

Nutritional Information (Per 1-Cup Serving):

Here’s an approximate breakdown of the nutritional information for each buffalo chicken pasta salad recipe. These values are based on a 1-cup serving size.

Takeaway:

Buffalo chicken pasta salad is a hearty, flavorful dish that is perfect for a variety of occasions. Whether you stick with the classic version, try the blue cheese twist, or go for the creamy avocado variation, there’s a buffalo chicken pasta salad recipe for everyone. It’s a great option for picnics, barbecues, and weeknight dinners. Feel free to customize the salad with your favorite ingredients and dressings for a dish that’s uniquely your own.

Pin these buffalo chicken pasta salad recipes to your “Healthy Pasta Salads” or “Buffalo Chicken Recipes” Pinterest boards for quick access next time you want to make a flavorful, crowd-pleasing dish.

Got a question or want to share your buffalo chicken pasta salad variations? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: Can I make buffalo chicken pasta salad ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can prepare the salad ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Just keep in mind that the pasta might absorb some of the dressing, so you may need to add extra dressing before serving.

Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?
A: Absolutely! You can use any pasta shape you like. Penne, fusilli, and rotini are all great options for this dish.

Q: Is buffalo chicken pasta salad gluten-free?
A: The classic recipe is not gluten-free, but you can easily make it gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.

Q: How spicy is buffalo chicken pasta salad?
A: The level of spiciness depends on the amount of buffalo sauce you use. For a milder version, use less buffalo sauce or choose a mild buffalo sauce.