Buffalo Chicken Chopped Salad (Print version)

Finely chopped romaine with spicy buffalo-style chicken, crisp celery, and creamy blue cheese. Quick, flavorful, and perfect for lunch or dinner.

# Required ingredients:

→ Buffalo Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (14 oz)
02 - 1/4 cup hot sauce
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Salad

06 - 2 large hearts of romaine lettuce, finely chopped
07 - 2 celery stalks, diced
08 - 1/4 small red onion, finely diced
09 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
11 - 1/4 cup shredded carrots

→ Dressing

12 - 1/3 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
13 - 1 tablespoon hot sauce, optional

# How to make it:

01 - Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, add chicken and cook 5 to 6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from heat and rest 5 minutes. Cut into bite-sized pieces and toss with hot sauce until evenly coated.
02 - In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine, diced celery, red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, and shredded carrots.
03 - Add buffalo chicken to the salad mixture and gently toss. Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over the top.
04 - Drizzle salad with ranch or blue cheese dressing. Add additional hot sauce if desired. Toss lightly and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The temperature contrast between warm spicy chicken and cool crisp vegetables makes every bite exciting
  • Its a complete meal that comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup
02 -
  • The chicken needs those 5 minutes of rest time after cooking or all those delicious juices will run out onto your cutting board instead of staying in the meat
  • Toss the chicken with hot sauce while it's still warm so the sauce really clings to every piece instead of pooling at the bottom
03 -
  • Use a sharp knife and practice your knife skills to get all vegetables roughly the same size for the best eating experience
  • Pat your chicken dry before seasoning to help it get a beautiful golden sear instead of steaming in the pan
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