Flavorful Chicken Salad with Creamy Spicy Buffalo Sauce
A quick and easy chicken salad featuring tender shredded chicken tossed in a creamy, spicy buffalo sauce made with Greek yogurt and hot sauce. Perfect for lunches, snacks, or gatherings with a bold, tangy flavor and satisfying crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken recommended)
- 1 cup celery, finely chopped
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
- ¼ cup hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot recommended)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (light or vegan mayo optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup shredded carrot (optional)
- Fresh chopped parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by shredding cooked chicken breasts using two forks until bite-sized pieces are achieved (about 3 cups). Rotisserie chicken can be used for convenience.
- Chop the veggies: finely dice 1 cup celery and thinly slice 2 green onions. If using, shred ½ cup carrot for added sweetness and crunch.
- Make the buffalo sauce by whisking together ½ cup Greek yogurt, ¼ cup hot sauce, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste until smooth and well blended.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, chopped celery, green onions, and optional carrots. Pour the creamy spicy buffalo sauce over the mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more salt, pepper, or hot sauce if desired for extra spice.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and texture to develop.
- Before serving, garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro. Serve over crisp lettuce, in sandwiches, or with crackers.
Notes
If buffalo sauce is too thick, add a teaspoon of water or lemon juice to loosen. Use warm chicken for better sauce absorption. Chill at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Adjust hot sauce gradually to control spice level. For dairy-free, substitute Greek yogurt and mayo with plant-based alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 30
Keywords: chicken salad, buffalo sauce, creamy chicken salad, spicy chicken salad, quick chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, Greek yogurt chicken salad