Healthy Buffalo Chicken Salad
This 6 ingredient creamy buffalo chicken salad is perfect for meal prep or an easy dinner idea. Cooked chicken is loaded with crunchy vegetables and fresh cilantro then coated in a creamy buffalo sauce for a high protein chicken salad recipe that can be enjoyed on a sandwich, in a wrap, on crackers, or simply with a fork!
One thing that I have learned about myself over the years is that skipping lunch leads to an afternoon of feeling a little bit hungry. An afternoon of feeling a little bit hungry leads to an afternoon of constant grazing without every fully filling up and satisfying that hunger.
Another thing I have learned about myself over the years is that it is way too easy to skip lunch if I do not take the time to meal prep a few things. To stay ahead of an afternoon of snacking, I try to take the time to meal prep some easy, high protein lunch recipes that are ready to enjoy right from my fridge.
Hardboiled eggs, items for balances snack plates, and canned tuna have always been a few of my lunch time go-to’s but lately I have been loving meal prepping a high protein chicken salad recipe like this creamy buffalo chicken salad as well.
This healthy buffalo chicken salad truly has it all. It’s packed with protein, flavor, and chopped vegetables for a balanced bite. It can be enjoyed straight out of the container with a fork or turned into a high protein chicken salad sandwich or wrap
The best part? It’s only 6 ingredients making it easy for you to mix up this low carb high protein lunch recipe time and time again. Let’s get to it!
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Salad
What makes this high protein chicken salad recipe:
You’ll love this easy buffalo chicken salad recipe because it is:
High in protein: Classic baked chicken with orzo is perfect for every family member!
Low carb high protein lunch recipe- Chicken salad recipes are great for a high protein low carb lunch idea and this one will be one of your favorites! To keep the recipe low carb, you can pair it with low carb dippers like cucumber slices, celery stalks, or simply enjoy it with a fork.
Coated in a healthy creamy buffalo sauce- Greek yogurt and store-bought buffalo sauce are combined for an easy creamy buffalo sauce that adds protein and flavor to your chickens salad.
Full of crunchy vegetables- Chopped celery, diced carrots, and finely chopped cilantro add flavor, crunch, and vegetables to this lunch recipe.!
Only 6 ingredients: This recipe is full of flavor but only needs 6 ingredients. So easy.
There is so much to love about this easy lunch recipe!
What makes chicken salad great for lunches?
Healthy chicken salad recipes have climbed the ranks to become one of my favorite high protein meal prep ideas. Here’s why I like them:
It can be made from a variety of cooked chicken bases: Whether its crockpot shredded chicken, finely diced chicken thighs, chopped rotisserie chicken, or kept simple with canned chicken, you can use really any cooked chicken for your chicken salad base!
It’s full of lean protein- Chicken is low in fat and high in protein making it the perfect ingredient for a high protein low calorie meal prep recipe. Chicken salad can be a great alternative to cold cuts meats that is just as convenient to choose. Each serving has almost 30 grams of protein!
Can be enjoyed hot or cold- I think one of my favorite parts of chicken salad is that it’s delicious if it’s warmed up or can be served cold. It’s perfect for a lunchbox with ice packs and doesn’t need to be warmed up to taste good. Great for meal prep.
Can be filled with different flavors: Use the same chicken base and swap out your ingredients to build a different chicken salad every week. Some ideas are a southwest chicken salad, a BLT chicken salad, the classic creamy chicken and grape salad!
It’s versatile! This chicken salad with buffalo sauce can be made into a sandwich, a wrap, or even a high protein buffalo chicken dip by pairing it with whole grain crackers or fresh vegetables. .
You’ll love having chicken salad ready to go in your refrigerator.
Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients and Instructions:
Ingredients:
You’ll only need 6 ingredients to make this high protein buffalo chicken salad:
Cooked and shredded (or chopped) chicken: You can use crockpot shredded chicken breast, cooked and chopped chicken thighs, rotisserie chicken, or even canned chicken as the base of your chicken salad recipes.
Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt adds the creamy texture to your creamy buffalo chicken salad. It also adds a boost of nutrients like protein, calcium, vitamin D, and more!
Buffalo sauce: I used Franks red hot buffalo sauce but you could use any buffalo sauce that you prefer.
Cilantro: Finely chopped cilantro adds a delicious and fresh flavor to your buffalo chicken.
Celery: Finely diced celery add some crunch to your chicken salad.
Carrots: Finely diced carrots also enhance the crunch factor for your chicken salad. Plus, they don’t get weird as they sit in the refrigerator.
Simply ingredients for a flavorful and healthy chicken salad recipe that has protein, vegetables, and tons of flavor!
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Salad Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1
Chop your carrots and celery into smaller pieces then finely dice your cilantro.
Step 2
Add your cooked and chopped chicken, plain greek yogurt, buffalo sauce, celery, carrots, and cilantro to a bowl then stir until fully combined.
Step 3
Enjoy your high protein creamy buffalo chicken salad with a fork, on a sandwich, as a wrap, or even as a high protein buffalo chicken dip with whole grain crackers.
What to serve with buffalo chicken salad?
Here are a few sides and serving ideas that you can pair with chicken salad:
Pair it with crackers: You can easily enjoy this chicken salad recipe as a high protein buffalo chicken dip by pairing it with whole grain crackers, pretzels, or chips.
Dip it with fresh vegetables: If you want a low carb high protein chicken salad idea then I would skip the breads or crackers and pair your chicken salad with cucumber slices or stalks of celery instead.
Make it a sandwich: Serve this as a buffalo chicken salad sandwich on whole grain bread with crisp lettuce.
Make it a melt: One of my favorite ways to serve this recipe is as a creamy buffalo chicken and cheese melt. Take a good piece of sourdough bread, load it with your creamy buffalo chickens salad, top it with cheddar cheese and bake until melty.
Dig in with a fork! No need to get fancy, this buffalo chicken salad is delicious on its own.
And more! Make this high protein buffalo chicken salad recipe your own and tag me on instagram with any fun ideas you come up with!
Recipe FAQ:
What kind of cooked chicken is best in chicken salad?
I like to use crockpot cooked chicken breast that has been shredded or cooked and chopped chicken thighs for the best texture for chicken salad. You can also use chopped rotisserie chicken or keep it really easy with canned chicken!
How to store chicken salad?
Store your chicken salad in an air tight container in the refrigerator and enjoy it cold or warmed up when you are ready to eat!
Other chicken recipes you will love:
Looking for other dinner recipes with chicken? I have a few on my blog that I think you will love:
Easy BBQ Chicken Flatbread
Crispy Baked Chicken Tacos
One Pan Coconut Lime Chicken
Southwest Chicken Salad
Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Salad
This 6 ingredient creamy buffalo chicken salad is perfect for meal prep or an easy dinner idea. Cooked chicken is loaded with crunchy vegetables and fresh cilantro then coated in a creamy buffalo sauce for a high protein chicken salad recipe that can be enjoyed on a sandwich, in a wrap, on crackers, or simply with a fork!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Finely chop your vegetables and cilantro.
- Add your cooked chicken, yogurt, buffalo sauce, celery, carrots, and cilantro to a bowl then stir until well combined. Adjust flavors as needed.
- Store in your refrigerator and enjoy throughout the week!
Nutrition Facts
Calories
207Fat
7 gCarbs
5 gSugar
3 gProtein
29 gFiber
1 g*All nutrition information has been approximated and may vary based on serving size, brands used, and other factors.
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Hey! I’m Lauren
I’m a Registered Dietitian and busy toddler mom committed to bringing you delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-make recipes!