If you’re on the hunt for a crowd-pleasing dish that combines bold flavors with creamy, crunchy, and fresh textures, then this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine tender rotini pasta tossed with spicy buffalo wing sauce, cool ranch dressing, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy celery—all mingling with savory chicken and cheesy goodness. It’s the perfect balance of heat and creaminess, making it an ideal choice for game days, potlucks, or just a satisfying weeknight dinner. You’re going to love how this salad packs a flavorful punch and can easily be made ahead to save you time without sacrificing any taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these ingredients is simple, and each one plays a critical role in building the perfect harmony of flavors and textures in this dish. From the tender pasta base to the tangy buffalo sauce, every component is essential.
- 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta: These shapes hold the dressing perfectly and add a satisfying chew.
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced: Rotisserie chicken works wonderfully to save time and add savory depth.
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce: This brings that signature spicy kick that defines the salad.
- ½ cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing: Creamy coolness to balance the heat.
- 1 cup celery, diced: Adds a refreshing crunch that brightens the salad.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved: Burst of sweetness and vibrant color make each bite exciting.
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced: Offers a zesty bite with a little bite to awaken the palate.
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese: Melty, sharp, and cheesy goodness.
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese (optional): For those who love a bold, tangy flavor boost.
- Salt and black pepper to taste: Simple seasonings that enhance all the other flavors.
- Chopped green onions for garnish (optional): Adds freshness and a pop of color to finish.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start by boiling your pasta in plenty of salted water according to the package directions until it’s al dente, meaning just tender but still firm to the bite. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down for your salad. This step is key because it prevents mushy pasta and helps your salad stay fresh and light.
Step 2: Combine the Fresh Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, toss together the cooled pasta with shredded or diced cooked chicken, diced celery, halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, and cheddar cheese. If you’re a blue cheese fan, add the crumbled blue cheese now as well. These ingredients bring a wonderful balance of creaminess, crunch, and freshness that makes every forkful interesting.
Step 3: Whisk the Dressing
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the buffalo wing sauce with your choice of ranch or blue cheese dressing. This luscious mixture is the flavor powerhouse of the dish, balancing spicy heat with creamy tanginess. Whisking ensures the sauce is smooth and ready to coat every bite evenly.
Step 4: Toss and Season
Pour the dressing mixture over your salad ingredients, then gently toss everything together until every morsel is evenly coated. Finish by seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to bring out all those vibrant flavors. A well-seasoned salad sings with every bite.
Step 5: Chill Before Serving
Pop your Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully and the salad to become refreshingly cold. Chilling also helps the dressing cling better to the pasta and veggies, making it even more delicious.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Brighten your salad by sprinkling chopped green onions over the top just before serving. They add a subtle oniony freshness and a lovely visual contrast that makes your dish pop on the table.
Side Dishes
This pasta salad is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but pairs beautifully with simple sides like crisp garden salad, grilled vegetables, or buttery garlic bread. The cool and spicy flavors also complement classic barbecue dishes perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad in individual lettuce cups for a fresh handheld appetizer, or spoon it into hollowed-out bell peppers to add a burst of color and make the presentation extra special for parties or potlucks.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It tastes fantastic cold, but the flavors will continue to deepen if you let it rest a bit longer before enjoying.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated. Freezing is not recommended because the creamy dressing can separate and the texture of the fresh vegetables may suffer upon thawing.
Reheating
Since this salad is meant to be served cold, reheating is generally not necessary or recommended. If you’d like to take the salad off chill for a few minutes at room temperature before serving, that will bring out the flavors nicely.
FAQs
Can I substitute the chicken with something else?
Absolutely! You can use turkey, grilled tofu, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian twist. Just make sure the substitute is flavorful enough to hold its own with the buffalo sauce.
What if I don’t like blue cheese?
No worries! You can use ranch dressing exclusively and skip the crumbled blue cheese. The salad will still have plenty of creamy, tangy flavor and spice from the buffalo sauce.
Can I make this salad ahead of time for a party?
Yes, it actually tastes better after the flavors have had time to meld, so making it a few hours or even a day ahead is perfect. Just give it a good stir before serving.
How spicy is this salad?
The heat level depends on the buffalo wing sauce you choose. You can adjust by choosing a milder sauce or adding extra hot sauce if you like more kick.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Definitely! It stores well and makes a satisfying lunch or dinner. Keep the green onions separate if you want to preserve their fresh crunch before eating.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something about this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe that keeps people coming back for more. It hits all the right notes with its perfect blend of spicy, creamy, crunchy, and fresh. Whether you’re hosting friends, packing a lunch, or simply treating yourself to something delicious, this salad is sure to impress. Give it a try, and I promise it will quickly become one of your go-to dishes!
Print
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Description
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is a flavorful and satisfying cold pasta dish combining tender rotini pasta, spicy buffalo chicken, crunchy celery, fresh cherry tomatoes, and sharp cheeses. Tossed in a creamy buffalo wing and ranch dressing, this salad is perfect for potlucks, game days, or a quick summer meal. It’s easy to prepare and can be chilled ahead of time to meld all the delicious flavors.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
- Chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Dressing
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
- ½ cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta completely.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, shredded or diced cooked chicken, diced celery, halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and crumbled blue cheese if using. Gently toss these ingredients together to combine evenly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing) until well blended, creating a creamy, spicy dressing.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta and chicken mixture and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with the buffalo ranch dressing.
- Season and Chill: Taste the salad and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, garnish the salad with chopped green onions if you like for a fresh pop of color and flavor. Serve cold and enjoy!
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken works great for this recipe and saves time.
- For extra heat, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the dressing.
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for part of the ranch or blue cheese dressing to lighten the salad.
- This salad is perfect for preparing ahead and keeping chilled until serving.
