Description
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad combines tender rotini pasta, shredded chicken, and a zesty buffalo wing sauce dressing with crunchy vegetables and creamy blue cheese for a spicy and refreshing salad perfect for game days, picnics, or a flavorful lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini or bowtie pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded or diced)
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1/2 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded cheddar
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini or bowtie pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop further cooking and cool it down.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the buffalo wing sauce and ranch or blue cheese dressing until well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooled pasta to the dressing, then fold in the cooked chicken, chopped celery, shredded carrots, red onion, and crumbled blue cheese or shredded cheddar. Toss everything gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Season to Taste: Taste the salad and season with salt and black pepper as needed to enhance the flavors.
- Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and additional cheese if desired for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- This salad is best served cold and can be made up to a day in advance for convenient meal prep.
- For extra heat, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the dressing.
- Using rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving option for this recipe.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
