If you love bold flavors, creamy dressings, and the classic spicy kick of buffalo sauce, this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is your ticket to a new favorite summer dish. It’s everything you cherish about tangy buffalo chicken, but tossed with tender pasta, a crunchy mix of veggies, savory cheese, and a rich, cooling dressing to tie it all together. Perfect for potlucks, a crowd-pleasing main at casual gatherings, or just an easy lunch that you’ll actually look forward to all week!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad brings its own character to the bowl—think creamy, spicy, crisp, and cool—with nothing extra or fussy. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why every item earns its place.
- Pasta (12 oz rotini or penne): Rotini or penne works especially well here because every spiral or tube holds onto the zesty dressing for a hit of flavor in every bite.
- Cooked chicken breast (2 cups, shredded or chopped): Use leftovers or rotisserie chicken for easy meal prep and a hearty hit of protein.
- Buffalo wing sauce (½ cup): This is the soul of the salad, providing that familiar spicy, tangy punch.
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing (½ cup): Creamy dressing balances out the spice and coats the pasta and chicken perfectly.
- Cherry tomatoes (1 cup, halved): They add juicy sweetness and a pop of color that brightens the whole bowl.
- Celery (1 cup, thinly sliced): Classic with buffalo chicken, celery brings crunch and freshness to the salad.
- Shredded carrots (½ cup): For crunch, color, and a subtle sweetness that plays well with the spice.
- Crumbled blue cheese or shredded cheddar (½ cup): Blue cheese for a big flavor statement, cheddar if you want something milder but just as creamy.
- Green onions (2, sliced): They deliver a gentle oniony lift and a fresh green finish.
- Salt and black pepper (to taste): The final touch to bring all the flavors perfectly into balance.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook and Cool the Pasta
Start by cooking your pasta of choice in generously salted water. Boil until just al dente—overcooked pasta will get mushy once it soaks up the dressing. Drain it, then rinse under cold water to halt the cooking and cool it down fast. This step keeps the pasta pleasantly firm and ready to mingle with the rest of the ingredients.
Step 2: Make the Buffalo Dressing
In a big mixing bowl (big enough to hold everything later), whisk together the buffalo wing sauce and your preferred dressing—ranch for creamy coolness, or blue cheese if you love that classic, pungent vibe. Combining these now ensures every piece gets coated evenly later.
Step 3: Add the Chicken and Veggies
Add your cooked, chopped (or shredded) chicken right into the bowl, along with the halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced celery, and shredded carrots. These veggies and chicken give the salad lots of color, crunch, and that irresistible balance of flavors you’re aiming for in a Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad.
Step 4: Toss With Cheese and Green Onions
Sprinkle in the crumbled blue cheese or shredded cheddar plus the sliced green onions. These finishing touches add creaminess and a savory bite, while also giving your salad a professional, colorful look. Toss until everything is coated in the spicy, creamy dressing.
Step 5: Season, Chill, and Serve
Don’t forget to taste! Season with salt and pepper until the flavors sparkle. Then, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This quick chill lets the flavors mingle and the salad get perfectly cold—trust me, it’s worth the wait for the best Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad experience.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Garnishes
Before serving, sprinkle a few extra crumbles of blue cheese or a handful of fresh sliced green onions over the top. A dash of extra hot sauce can also wake up the presentation and the flavor, especially for those who like it bold!
Side Dishes
Pair this pasta salad with crisp celery sticks, carrot sticks, or a pile of fresh greens for even more crunch. It also balances beautifully with a simple fruit salad or warm bread rolls if you’re serving it as part of a larger meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Spoon your Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad into mason jars for a portable picnic treat, or serve in lettuce boats for a low-carb twist. For parties, you can even offer it in mini appetizer cups for easy, fun snacking.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover any leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. As it sits, the pasta soaks up more of the dressing and the flavors get even better—though you may want to add a splash more dressing before enjoying again.
Freezing
While technically possible, freezing isn’t recommended for this salad. The creamy dressing can separate and the fresh veggies may lose their crunch once thawed.
Reheating
This is one dish that’s best served cold or at room temperature. If you prefer it slightly warmed, a brief 10-second zap in the microwave is fine—just be cautious, as extended microwaving can change the texture.
FAQs
Can I make Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, making it several hours (or even a day) in advance gives the flavors plenty of time to meld. Just add a fresh drizzle of dressing before serving if it looks a little dry.
What type Salad
Your favorite bottled buffalo wing sauce will do the trick, whether you prefer mild or hot. Feel free to adjust the amount for more or less heat—customization is all part of the fun!
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, any short, sturdy pasta like fusilli, farfalle, or even shells will work. Just be sure it has plenty of nooks to catch that luscious dressing.
Is there a lighter version of this salad?
To lighten things up, opt for a Greek yogurt-based ranch, go light on the cheese, and pile on extra veggies. It’s still every bit as crave-worthy.
How do I make it even spicier?
If you’re a true spice lover, add a dash of extra hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing, or finish with sliced jalapeños for extra heat in every bite.
Final Thoughts
One bite of this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad and you’ll see why it’s a repeat request at potlucks and picnics alike. It’s bold, creamy, and bursting with all the flavors you love. Give it a try—you might find it’s your new go-to recipe for every occasion!
Print
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes (plus chilling)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook (after boiling pasta)
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is a zesty and creamy dish perfect for picnics or as a quick meal. Tender pasta is tossed with spicy buffalo chicken, crisp veggies, and a tangy dressing for a flavorful salad that’s sure to please.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
Chicken:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
Dressing:
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
- ½ cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
Veggies:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup celery, thinly sliced
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- 2 green onions, sliced
Additional:
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Dressing: Whisk buffalo sauce and ranch/blue cheese dressing in a large bowl.
- Combine Ingredients: Add pasta, chicken, tomatoes, celery, carrots, cheese, and green onions. Toss to coat.
- Season and Chill: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- For extra heat, add hot sauce or cayenne.
- To lighten it up, use Greek yogurt-based dressing.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *