Description
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is a vibrant and spicy American-inspired dish combining tender shredded chicken tossed in buffalo wing sauce with rotini pasta, crunchy celery, bell peppers, and creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing. This salad is perfect for potlucks, game day gatherings, or a flavorful meal prep option that’s quick to make and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
- ½ cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
- 1 cup chopped celery
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare the chicken mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and shredded chicken with the buffalo wing sauce. Stir well until the chicken is fully coated in the spicy sauce.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooled pasta, chopped celery, diced red bell pepper, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions to the bowl with the buffalo chicken. Pour in the ranch or blue cheese dressing.
- Toss salad: Gently toss all ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the dressing and buffalo sauce mixture. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Chill before serving: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to a container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use rotisserie chicken for the shredded chicken.
- Add crumbled blue cheese on top just before serving for a richer taste.
- This salad is great for meal prep as it holds well refrigerated.
- Perfect for potlucks and game day gatherings due to its bold flavors and easy serving.
