Description
This Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad combines smoky grilled chicken breasts tossed in spicy buffalo sauce with fresh mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, and blue cheese crumbles. Topped with creamy ranch dressing and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, this salad is a perfect balance of bold flavors and refreshing crunch, ideal for a wholesome lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Salad
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cucumber, sliced
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, ensuring the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Chicken: While the grill is heating, drizzle the olive oil over the chicken breasts, making sure each side is evenly coated.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
- Grill Chicken: Once the grill is ready, place the chicken breasts onto the grates and cook for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Prepare Salad Base: While the chicken is grilling, prepare the salad by placing the mixed salad greens in a large bowl.
- Add Vegetables: Add the halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and cucumber slices to the bowl with the salad greens.
- Rest Chicken: Once the chicken breasts are fully cooked, remove them from the grill and allow them to rest for a few minutes.
- Coat Chicken: While the chicken is resting, drizzle the buffalo sauce evenly over the cooked chicken breasts, making sure to coat both sides.
- Slice Chicken: Slice the buffalo-coated chicken breasts into thin strips, then add them on top of the prepared salad.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the blue cheese crumbles evenly over the salad, ensuring it is distributed across the greens.
- Add Dressing: Drizzle the ranch dressing over the salad, adjusting the amount to your taste preference.
- Garnish: Finally, garnish the salad with chopped fresh cilantro for an added burst of flavor and color.
- Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy your grilled buffalo chicken salad!
Notes
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- Optionally adjust the level of buffalo sauce based on your spice preference.
- Use a meat thermometer for the best cooking accuracy.
- This salad can be assembled ahead of time, but add dressing and buffalo sauce just before serving to keep greens crisp.
- Blue cheese can be substituted with feta or goat cheese if preferred.
