Highlight
This vibrant salad mixes spicy buffalo chicken skewers with smooth ranch-style drizzle, tossed with lots of colorful summer veggies. It's my go-to for sizzling evenings or a laid-back backyard hang with a bright kick everyone wants more of.
Anytime this bowl hits the table, everyone’s stoked. The mix of spicy buffalo, crispy bacon, sweet corn, and cool avocado is just addicting. Those skewers honestly make regular dinner feel like a party.
Delicious Ingredients
- Shredded lettuce: Any crunchy lettuce will do—romaine brings the best crunch for chopped salads
- Chicken breasts: Go with firm, even cuts. Trim ‘em for quick cutting and even grilling
- Seasoned salt: More flavor for the chicken; grab your go-to blend or a homemade mix
- Honey: Touch of sweetness to calm the buffalo heat—local honey is extra tasty
- Crumbled blue cheese or cubed cheddar: You pick—blue cheese is bold, cheddar’s melty and salty
- Grilled corn kernels: Bring a toasty crunch—grill fresh corn if you have it, but canned or frozen saves time
- Cooked bacon: Smoky, crispy, salty—let it cool and drain the fat for the best crunch
- Extra virgin olive oil: Makes the chicken super juicy and holds on that seasoning—fresh oil is best
- Avocado: Creamy bites—slice when just barely soft
- Cherry tomatoes: Sweet little pops—use the ripest you can get
- Buffalo sauce: Whatever brand you dig—makes the chicken spicy and works for drizzling too
- Fresh cilantro: Bright and fresh—stems are good too, not just the leaves
- Chopped peperoncini: Zippy tang; let ‘em drain well so your salad isn’t soggy
Tasty Dressing
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt: Thickens things up and keeps it creamy—use what you like
- Mayo: Makes it rich and just like ranch
- Pickled jalapenos: Tangy and mildly spicy—add more or less to taste
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Salt and pepper—tweak till it tastes just right; fresh black pepper is key
- Fresh cilantro, fresh basil, and fresh dill: Herby and bright—don’t skip, it makes the flavor pop
- Garlic powder: Boost of flavor—swap in fresh garlic for a sharp bite if you want
Simple Steps
- Finish with Toppings:
- Put the warm grilled skewers right on top, then scatter over cheese, bacon, and avo. Splash on more dressing and a little buffalo sauce if you like things saucy. Serve right away while everything’s crisp and the chicken’s still hot.
- Assemble the Salad Base:
- In a roomy bowl, toss your lettuce, cilantro, tomatoes, corn, and peperoncini. Pour on half that herby dressing. Toss gently till coated but still perky.
- Make the Herb Dressing:
- Pop the sour cream or yogurt, mayo, jalapenos, cilantro, basil, dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in your blender or food processor. Blast until smooth and super green. Taste and adjust if it needs a tweak—it should pour easily.
- Grill the Chicken Skewers:
- Get your grill, pan, or skillet piping hot over medium-high. Lay down the skewers and leave them alone for three minutes for those grill lines. Flip every so often and cook about ten to twelve minutes ‘til the edges are charred and the chicken’s cooked through. Dab more buffalo sauce on in the last couple minutes if you’re wild for heat.
- Marinate the Chicken:
- Chicken cubes go in a big bowl with olive oil, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Pour in a quarter cup of honey buffalo sauce and mix well to cover every piece. Stick the cubes onto skewers, bunching them for juicy bites.
- Make the Buffalo Sauce:
- In a mixing bowl, stir together the buffalo sauce and honey until the honey completely melts in. Use a whisk or even a fork for a smooth mix.
Highlight
A neighbor handed me the sweetest honey one summertime corn harvest, and it landed in this meal. Every bite still brings back memories of that steaming hot day laughing with friends. Blue cheese and spicy chicken—total win at our get-togethers.
Keeping It Fresh
Stash the chicken skewers and salad bits in different airtight containers to make them last three days. Pop the dressing in the fridge up to a week. If you’re planning ahead, leave the avocado whole until you’re about to eat so it won’t turn brown. Even the leftovers rock the next day—just a little softer.
Switch It Up
No blue cheese? Use feta, goat cheese, or cheddar cubes. If you want a milder flavor, swap the dressing for ranch or plain vinaigrette. Try grilled shrimp or tofu instead of chicken for a veggie-friendly call. No fresh corn? Canned is fine when you’re in a rush.
Great Ways to Serve
Lay everything out platter-style and let everyone build their own—perfect for a crowd. It’s filling enough for a meal, but it’s killer next to grilled bread or watermelon too. Serving picky kiddos? Give them the dressing on the side for dipping.
Buffalo Chicken Salad Backstory
Buffalo chicken started as an old-school bar snack, but tossing it with fresh summer flavors makes it totally new. Inspired by big family cookouts and my love for bright, loaded platters, this meal brings all the spicy wing vibes to your weeknight dinner or backyard BBQ.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do you keep chicken juicy when grilling it on skewers?
Let the chicken soak in a marinade ahead of time so it stays moist. Cook on medium-high heat, turning the skewers every so often so nothing dries out.
- → Is it possible to make the salad components ahead?
You can get everything chopped and ready in the fridge, then just grill the chicken when you’re almost ready to eat. For the best crunch, save salad assembly until you’re dishing up.
- → Which cheese tastes best here?
Crumbly blue cheese feels bold, but little cubes of cheddar also work great. Pick whichever you like most.
- → What if I don’t have buffalo sauce on hand?
Any favorite hot sauce works, or try a gentler wing sauce if you want less kick. You can toss in more honey if you want it sweeter.
- → Got a different creamy dressing I can use?
If you like, swap in Greek yogurt for a lighter touch instead of sour cream. You’ll still have a tasty, creamy effect.
- → I don’t have a grill. What can I use for the skewers?
You can totally use a grill pan or a regular skillet on the stovetop. Make sure to flip often so all sides get some char.