Hearty Buffalo Chicken Salad

This buffalo chicken cobb salad transforms ordinary salad night into something extraordinary with spicy buffalo chicken, crispy bacon, and all your favorite cobb salad fixings. It's the perfect balance of protein, veggies, and bold flavors that will leave you feeling satisfied without weighing you down.

I first made this recipe when looking for a way to use leftover rotisserie chicken, and it quickly became our go-to weeknight dinner. My husband, who typically considers salads a "side dish," actually requests this as a main meal regularly.

Ingredients

• Shredded cooked chicken: Provides the perfect canvas for buffalo sauce while saving you cooking time. Rotisserie chicken works beautifully here.
• Buffalo sauce: Delivers that signature spicy tang without any complicated prep. Look for versions made with quality oils for the best flavor.
• Romaine lettuce: Creates the perfect crisp foundation. Choose heads with tight, fresh leaves for maximum crunch.
• Crumbled bacon: Adds smoky richness. Thick-cut bacon provides the best texture contrast.
• Hard-boiled eggs: Contribute creaminess and additional protein. Cook them just until the yolks are set but still bright yellow.
• Blue cheese: Offers tangy pockets of flavor throughout every bite. Opt for a good quality cheese that's properly aged.
• Cherry tomatoes: Bring sweet acidity. Look for ones that are bright in color and firm to the touch.
• Avocado: Adds buttery richness and healthy fats. Choose ones that yield slightly to gentle pressure.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare The Dressing:

Make your homemade blue cheese dressing or vinaigrette first so the flavors have time to develop while you assemble the rest of the salad. The resting time allows the herbs and seasonings to fully infuse the dressing, creating a more complex flavor profile.

Warm The Buffalo Chicken:

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add your cooking oil. Once warm, add the shredded chicken and heat it through for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Remove from heat, then immediately toss with buffalo sauce while still warm. This helps the chicken absorb the sauce better, creating more flavorful bites.

Assemble The Base:

Start with a wide, shallow bowl which makes for both better presentation and easier eating. Create a bed of crisp romaine lettuce as your foundation, then add a light layer of microgreens if using. The varying textures create a more interesting eating experience.

Add Toppings Strategically:

Arrange your toppings in sections around the bowl rather than mixing everything together. Place the buffalo chicken, bacon, halved eggs, blue cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, and onions in separate areas. This not only creates a stunning presentation but also allows each bite to be customized.

Finish And Serve:

Just before eating, drizzle your prepared dressing over the top and add a final seasoning of freshly cracked black pepper and sea salt. Serve immediately while all the components are at their peak freshness and texture.

Pin

The buffalo sauce is the heart of this recipe. I discovered that warming the chicken before adding the sauce makes all the difference in flavor absorption. My mother was skeptical about putting buffalo sauce on a salad until she tried this recipe, now it's in her regular rotation too.

Perfect Meal Prep Strategy

This salad is ideal for meal preparation with a few simple adjustments. Prepare all components except the avocado and store them separately in airtight containers. The lettuce should be completely dry before storing to prevent wilting. Keep your dressing in a separate container until ready to serve. When meal prep day arrives, slice fresh avocado directly onto your salad. This method keeps everything fresh for up to three days in the refrigerator.

Customization Options

This recipe welcomes endless variations to suit your preferences. Swap rotisserie chicken for grilled chicken breast or even buffalo cauliflower for a vegetarian option. Not a fan of blue cheese? Try feta or goat cheese instead. The romaine can be replaced with spinach, mixed greens, or kale massaged with a bit of olive oil. Feel free to add extra vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or corn to create your perfect version of this versatile salad.

Dressing Directions

While store-bought dressing works in a pinch, homemade elevates this salad tremendously. For the blue cheese dressing, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk, crumbled blue cheese, lemon juice, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Let it rest for at least 30 minutes before serving. If you prefer something lighter, the red wine vinaigrette made with quality olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and herbs offers a perfect tangy complement to the spicy buffalo chicken.

Pin

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I make this Buffalo Chicken Cobb Salad ahead of time?

Yes! For best results, prepare all components but store the dressing separately. Wait to slice the avocado until you're ready to serve to prevent browning. The salad components can be prepped 1-2 days in advance and assembled when ready to eat.

→ What can I substitute for blue cheese in this salad?

If you don't enjoy blue cheese, substitute with feta, goat cheese, or even shredded cheddar. For a dairy-free option, omit the cheese entirely or use a plant-based alternative.

→ Is this Buffalo Chicken Cobb Salad keto-friendly?

Yes, this salad is excellent for keto or low-carb diets. It's high in protein and healthy fats while being naturally low in carbohydrates. Just ensure your buffalo sauce doesn't contain added sugars.

→ How can I make this salad vegetarian?

Replace the chicken with buffalo-seasoned tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas. Omit the bacon or use a plant-based bacon alternative. For a vegan version, also replace the eggs and blue cheese with additional vegetables or plant-based proteins.

→ What's the best way to cook chicken for this salad?

While rotisserie chicken is convenient, you can also poach, grill, or bake chicken breasts, then shred them. For extra flavor, season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder before cooking.

→ How spicy is this Buffalo Chicken Cobb Salad?

The spice level depends entirely on your choice of buffalo sauce. For a milder version, use less sauce or choose a mild variety. For extra heat, select a spicier buffalo sauce or add a dash of hot sauce to your portion.