Description
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is a creamy, bold, and satisfying dish that brings together the classic flavor of buffalo chicken with the comfort of pasta salad. Tender shredded chicken is tossed in tangy buffalo sauce and combined with perfectly cooked pasta, crisp vegetables, and a creamy dressing that balances spice and richness. The result is a dish that is both hearty and refreshing.
This recipe is perfect for casual lunches, potluck gatherings, game-day meals, or summer cookouts. The creamy texture, crunchy vegetables, and bold flavor make every bite exciting. Another wonderful thing about this dish is how easily it can be prepared ahead of time, making it ideal for busy days or entertaining guests. Whether served as a main meal or a side dish, Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad always brings satisfying flavor and crowd-pleasing appeal to the table.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked pasta (rotini or penne)
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 cup chopped celery
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- ¼ cup sliced green onions
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese or crumbled blue cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and allow it to cool slightly.
- Place shredded chicken in a bowl and toss it with buffalo sauce so it becomes evenly coated.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and a little additional buffalo sauce to create the dressing.
- Add the cooled pasta to the dressing and mix gently until well coated.
- Fold in the buffalo chicken, celery, onion, green onions, and cheese.
- Mix everything carefully until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Cover and refrigerate the salad for about 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
Notes
- Letting the pasta cool before mixing helps keep the dressing creamy rather than absorbed too quickly. If the salad becomes slightly dry after refrigeration, add a spoonful of mayonnaise or buffalo sauce and stir gently. Fresh vegetables like celery and green onions should always be added just before chilling to maintain their crunch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling and mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 26g