Looking for a healthy, easy meal prep idea? You got it right here with this buffalo chicken salad built with slow cooked chicken, crisp lettuce, and homemade Ranch… making it the perfect combo for a healthy, meal prep lunch! Watch how it comes together fast in the video below:
I don’t know what motivates me more about prepping this meal, the delicious chicken or those cute meal prep containers. Whichever it is, it’s working, and I can’t wait for you to try this salad recipe.
What goes in buffalo chicken?
If the only reason you enjoy tailgating parties or gamedays is because of an orange coated chicken dish then it’s worth knowing how to make buffalo chicken at home.
I’ll admit, this recipe isn’t the one you’ll find at your local wing spot but it is delicious and a lot more healthy, so I count it a WIN! Instead of battering and frying, the chicken gets slow cooked with buffalo sauce, until it’s perfectly pull-apart tender. Sounds like a dream? It is and I’m about to make it come true!
To make this slow cooker buffalo chicken, you can see how it’s done in this video:
If you need written directions for making buffalo chicken, you’ll find them below. It’s super easy, like… combine-chicken-breast-with-buffalo-sauce-in-slow-cooker-and-set-to-cook easy. All this takes less than 3 minutes to do, and you can go about your day while everything cooks low and slow.
Did I mention it’s low carb and keto friendly? YASSS! Finally! And if you aren’t any of those things- it’s still an amazing salad, perfect for any occasion.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Salad
Buffalo chicken is a big deal around here, and it’s about time I share this meal prep salad with you guys.
1. Cook the chickenFirst things, first! You can use the slow cooker recipe or shredded rotisserie chicken meat tossed with 1/2-1 cup Buffalo sauce, depending on what level you’re on.
2. Prep the toppingsGood news, this step can be prepped ahead of time. Chop the lettuce, boil the eggs, and store both in airtight containers for up to 5 days.
3. Layer it on a bowl
We’re getting closer! Layer lettuce into a bowl or lunch container, top it with Buffalo chicken Blue Cheese crumbles, sliced hard-boiled eggs, and avocado slices.
4. Top with a drizzle of Ranch
Almost there but we can’t skip the Homemade Ranch dressing! THIS STUFF IS THE BOMB! If you’re using bottled, I love you but join me on the dark side and make your own. You won’t go back.
P.S: Don’t forget to snap a picture for insta! #laurafuentes
5. Devour
Best part ever!
Best Ways to Cook Chicken For Salads
If you were to look in my fridge on any given day, you’d find cooked chicken breast along with cold brew and guac, the essentials of life. I like to keep the chicken on hand for a quick and healthy meal like this salad, wraps, and even tacos.
Now, there’s no wrong way to cook chicken for salads, but there are a few easy methods that yield perfectly cooked chicken every time.
1. Slow CookerWhat’s not to love about a recipe that requires only two ingredients and does all the cooking? Yes, they exist.
You can prep recipes like the slow cooker buffalo chicken and salsa chicken the night before, set to cook in the morning, and when dinner rolls around, dinner is ready.
When I know I’m going to have a busy week; I’ll pick up one or two of these from the grocery store, shred the meat, and keep it refrigerated for future use in dinners and lunches. They’re super inexpensive, and the meat is always seasoned well and never dry. Can’t go wrong with this one.
Favorite Dressing Ideas for Buffalo Chicken Salad
Ranch or Blue Cheese dressing? It’s your call, but whenever Buffalo Chicken is involved I reach for the Ranch dressing!
I included my homemade Ranch dressing with this recipe because this is Buffalo chicken and I like to do it right.
But seriously, it takes a few pantry staples and less than two minutes to throw together.
What else to put on this tasty salad
For extra protein and yumminess, we included:
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Blue cheese crumbles (after all, it is buffalo chicken)
- Avocado
If you’re feeling extra, then you can add some:
- Bacon, if you dare
- Diced red onion
- Cherry tomatoes
- Blue Cheese Dressing instead of Ranch
- Whatever else your heart desires
Remember, this is YOUR salad, so do your thang and make it your own. This is one of my favorite salads when I’m doing a 30-day whole food challenge. While I’ve tried several ways of doing it through the years, this is my favorite.
Salad Prep Tips & Ideas
There’s something about prepping healthy lunches for the week, and packing it to the office or enjoying from home that makes one feel proud and you should!
However, you want to make sure to prep it right to avoid a soggy salad come noon Tuesday. For perfectly crisp, fresh salads:
- Keep sauces and high-moisture contents separate from the lettuce. Just like salad dressing, anything that has excess moisture, like salsa, chopped tomatoes, and sauce will cause the lettuce to wilt.
My tip: pack them in a separate container alongside the salad.When you’re ready to eat, top it over the salad and enjoy.
- Make sure to pack the dressing in a separate sauce container.
- Allow all cooked ingredients to reach room temperature before packing into lunch containers.
While cooked protein or veggies go great on a salad if you are eating immediately after. Otherwise, tossing hot ingredients with cold lettuce and storing for later will result in an inedible mess.
What are some other salad or meal you would like to see turned into meal prep? Let me know!
More Buffalo Chicken Recipes
If you’re loving all things buffalo, then jump on this train! Here are a few more recipes for you to try out ASAP:
- Buffalo Chicken Tacos
- Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
- Buffalo Chicken Pizza
- Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Cups
Plus, there’s more to come!
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Smoky chicken, crisp lettuce, and homemade Ranch make this Buffalo Chicken Salad the perfect healthy meal prep lunch!
Ingredients
Ranch dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Salad:
- 1 head Iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 avocado, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/2 cup Blue cheese crumbles
- 2 cups cooked Buffalo Chicken
- 2 hard boiled eggs, sliced
- Ranch dressing
- Buffalo sauce, for drizzling
Instructions
- In a lidded jar, combine the mayonnaise, milk, parsley, dill, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cover with lid, seal, and shake to combine. Refrigerate and use for up to a week.
- Place the chopped lettuce into a large serving bowl.
- In one row, place the sliced avocado over the lettuce, repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the sliced eggs. Drizzle with Ranch dressing and additional buffalo sauce. Toss to combine.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad
- Calories: 434
- Sugar: 4.6g
- Sodium: 1176.9mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 7.9g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 4.9g
- Protein: 36.9g
- Cholesterol: 278.9mg
The buffalo chicken was super easy to make -thanks for the tip on buying rotisserie chicken! I made 4 of these for the week and I felt really good about my lunch all week long. Thank you for the buffalo chicken salad recipe, Laura
★★★★★