Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad (Printable)

Tangy buffalo chicken tossed with pasta, fresh vegetables, and creamy ranch dressing. A refreshing cold dish ideal for gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz rotini or penne pasta

→ Chicken

02 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
03 - 1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 cup celery, finely diced
05 - 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Dressing

08 - 3/4 cup ranch dressing
09 - 1/4 cup sour cream
10 - 1 tbsp lemon juice

→ Garnish

11 - 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
12 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives or parsley

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold running water, and set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a medium bowl, toss the cooked chicken with buffalo wing sauce until evenly coated throughout.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, buffalo chicken, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, and cherry tomatoes.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, sour cream, and lemon juice until the mixture reaches a smooth, uniform consistency.
05 - Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
06 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and develop.
07 - Before serving, top with crumbled blue cheese and fresh chives or parsley if desired. Serve chilled.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It brings serious flavor without turning on the oven, which matters when it's hot outside.
  • You can make it hours ahead and it actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge.
  • It satisfies both the salad people and the buffalo wing people at the same table.
  • Leftovers hold up beautifully for lunch the next day, no sogginess or sad texture.
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta under cold water after draining or it will clump together and absorb all the dressing before you even mix it in.
  • Let the buffalo chicken sit for a few minutes after tossing so the sauce really sticks, otherwise it will just pool at the bottom of the bowl.
  • If you dress the salad too early, the pasta will soak up everything and you'll need to add more dressing before serving.
03 -
  • Use rotisserie chicken and pre-shredded vegetables to cut your prep time in half without sacrificing flavor.
  • Toast the pasta lightly in a dry skillet after draining if you want a firmer texture that holds up even longer in the fridge.
  • If you're making this for a crowd, double the dressing recipe because people always want more.
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