Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Salad is a spicy and crispy recipe, which is made with pan-fried chicken and Louisiana Hot Sauce. It’s a restaurant-quality dish, ready in about 20 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe Ingredients
- 1 whole Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
- Salt And Pepper, to taste
- 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
- 2 Tbsp. Butter
- 1/2 cup Louisiana Hot Sauce (Frank’s, Etc.)
- Salad Greens: Iceberg, Romaine, Mixed Greens
- 1/2 cup Blue Cheese Dressing
- Extra Blue Cheese Crumbles
- Celery Hearts, Leaves Intact
How To Make Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep and Cook the Chicken: With a sharp knife, carefully slice the chicken breast in half horizontally to create two thinner cutlets. Heat the olive oil and butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Season both sides of the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and pan-fry them until golden brown and cooked through.
- Coat the Chicken in Sauce: Once the chicken is done, remove it from the skillet. Pour off any excess fat from the pan, but do not wipe it clean. Return the chicken to the skillet (with the heat turned off) and pour the hot sauce over it. Turn the chicken pieces to coat them on both sides and let them sit in the sauce.
- Toss the Salad: In a large bowl, toss your chosen salad greens with just enough blue cheese dressing to lightly coat them. If the dressing is too thick, you can thin it with a little milk.
- Assemble and Serve: Divide the tossed salad into two individual bowls. Sprinkle blue cheese crumbles over the top. Slice the saucy chicken into thin strips and arrange them over the top of each salad. Garnish with more blue cheese crumbles and serve immediately with celery hearts on the side.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the chicken extra crispy? Ensure your skillet is hot before adding the chicken and don’t overcrowd the pan. Getting a deep golden-brown color on the chicken provides the best flavor and texture.
- Can I use a different kind of hot sauce? While the recipe suggests a Louisiana-style hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot (which is the classic base for buffalo sauce), you can use your favorite brand. Just be aware that the heat level and flavor may vary.
- How can I make this healthier? For a lighter version, you can grill the chicken instead of pan-frying it. You can also use a light or Greek yogurt-based blue cheese dressing.
- What if I don’t like blue cheese? Ranch dressing is the classic and most popular substitute for blue cheese dressing in buffalo chicken dishes. They pair together perfectly.
What To Serve With Buffalo Chicken Salad
This salad is a complete meal on its own, but these sides make it even better.
- Warm Garlic Bread or Crusty Rolls
- Cornbread Muffins
- A cup of mild soup, like potato or tomato soup
- Crispy French Fries
How To Store Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Best Eaten Fresh: This salad is best assembled and eaten immediately to maintain the warm, crispy chicken and fresh, crisp lettuce.
- Storing Components: If you need to store leftovers, it’s best to keep the components separate. Store the cooked chicken, salad greens, and dressing in individual airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the chicken before assembling a new salad.
Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Salad Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Protein: 45g
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Sugar: 4g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use leftover chicken for this salad?
Yes, this is a great way to use leftover rotisserie or grilled chicken. Simply slice the cooked chicken, warm it in a skillet, and then toss it with the hot sauce as directed.
How do I make my own blue cheese dressing?
For a quick homemade version, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, a squeeze of lemon juice, and 1/2 cup of blue cheese crumbles. Season with salt and pepper.
What’s the best lettuce for a buffalo chicken salad?
A crisp lettuce like iceberg or romaine is ideal because it provides a cool, crunchy contrast to the spicy, warm chicken.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Black-Eyed Pea Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Raspberry Pretzel Jello Salad Recipe
Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe
Description
A classic restaurant-style salad featuring spicy, pan-fried buffalo chicken over crisp greens with a creamy blue cheese dressing.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Slice chicken breast in half to create two thin cutlets.
- Pan-fry the seasoned chicken in olive oil and butter until golden and cooked through.
- Remove chicken, pour off excess fat, then return chicken to the pan.
- Pour hot sauce over the chicken (off the heat) and toss to coat.
- Toss salad greens with blue cheese dressing.
- Top the greens with sliced buffalo chicken, more blue cheese crumbles, and serve with celery hearts.
Notes
- u003cliu003eSlicing the chicken breast into thinner cutlets ensures it cooks quickly and evenly.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t wipe out the skillet after cooking the chicken; the browned bits add flavor to the sauce.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eYou can adjust the amount of hot sauce to control the spice level to your liking.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the best experience, assemble the salad right before serving so the chicken is warm and the lettuce is crisp.u003c/liu003e
Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe
