Packed with spicy flavor, crunch, and creamy comfort in every bite, Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is the ultimate dish when you want something bold yet incredibly simple. This salad blends tender shredded chicken, cool and crisp veggies, and a dreamy, tangy buffalo ranch dressing for a crowd-pleaser that’s always requested at parties, potlucks… or whenever cravings strike!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast & Fuss-Free: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have a hearty pasta salad ready in 10 minutes!
- Big, Bold Flavors: Creamy ranch, tangy blue cheese, crunchy veggies, and spicy buffalo sauce come together for an unforgettable taste adventure.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s game day, a potluck, or an easy weeknight meal, Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad disappears in minutes.
- Perfect Make-Ahead Option: This salad tastes even better after chilling, making it ideal for parties and packed lunches.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad keeps things delightfully simple yet irresistibly satisfying. Each ingredient has its own special role—bringing texture, flavor, freshness, or just a pop of color to every forkful.
- Rotini pasta: Its twisty shape holds onto the zesty dressing for maximum flavor with every bite, and the satisfying bite makes this dish hearty.
- Cooked, shredded chicken breast: Use leftovers, rotisserie chicken, or poached chicken—whatever you have! It soaks up those spicy, tangy flavors beautifully.
- Celery: Freshly chopped celery adds crunch and a light, crisp bite that balances the heat of the buffalo sauce.
- Shredded carrots: Their sweetness cools down the spice and gives the salad a gorgeous burst of color.
- Ranch dressing: Creamy ranch is key for mellowing the heat and binding all the salad elements together into a luscious, irresistible tangle.
- Buffalo sauce: The main event! Go for your favorite brand (Frank’s Red Hot is a classic) for tangy, fiery flavor—the heart and soul of this pasta salad.
- Crumbled blue cheese: A non-negotiable for some! It brings pungent, salty richness that pairs perfectly with buffalo chicken anything.
Variations
One of my favorite parts about making Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is how playfully versatile it is. Don’t hesitate to swap, add, or tweak ingredients to satisfy your cravings, dietary needs, or whatever you find in your fridge!
- Swap the Protein: Easily make this recipe vegetarian by using seasoned chickpeas or a plant-based “chicken” alternative—both absorb the buffalo flavors deliciously!
- Pasta Shape Play: Try macaroni, penne, or bowties in place of rotini—use what you have on hand, and have fun with the pasta shapes!
- Dressing Flavor: Prefer blue cheese dressing to ranch? Go for it! Or lighten things up with Greek yogurt and a dash of lemon juice for a tangy twist.
- Add More Veggies: Toss in halved cherry tomatoes, red onion, or even some diced bell pepper for extra crunch, color, and nutrients.
- Heat Level Adjust: Fire-breathers can up the buffalo sauce or add a pinch of cayenne, while spice-shy folks can dial it back for mellow tang.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Step 1: Whisk Together the Buffalo Ranch Dressing
In a small bowl, mix up your ranch dressing, crumbled blue cheese, and buffalo sauce. Give it a good taste—this is where you can adjust the spiciness to your preference! If you like it fiery, don’t be shy with the buffalo sauce. Once it’s tangy and delicious, set the bowl aside.
Step 2: Combine Chicken, Pasta and Veggies
In a large mixing bowl, toss together the cooked and chilled rotini, shredded chicken breast, celery, and carrots. Make sure everything is evenly distributed so every forkful gets a variety of textures and flavors.
Step 3: Add Dressing and Toss to Coat
Pour your homemade buffalo ranch dressing over the chicken and pasta mixture. Use a large spoon or spatula to gently toss until everything looks beautifully creamy and each piece is coated in that signature buffalo flavor. Taste, and add extra buffalo sauce or ranch if you crave more zip or richness.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
Divide your Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad into serving bowls, sprinkle with extra blue cheese or some green onions if you’d like, and dig in! If you’re prepping ahead, just cover and chill until ready to wow your guests.
Pro Tips for Making Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
- Chill That Pasta: Rinse your cooked rotini under cold water after draining; this not only stops the cooking but gives you a firmer, chewier bite and keeps the salad gloriously refreshing.
- Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut: Rotisserie chicken is the ultimate time-saver and adds extra richness and flavor to your Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad with zero effort.
- Dressing Depth: For a super-creamy salad, make your dressing in advance and let it chill; the flavors meld and intensify the longer they mingle.
- Customize the Heat: Always taste the dressing before adding it to the salad—buffalo sauces vary in spice, so adjust with more ranch or buffalo until it’s perfect for your palate.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Garnishes
Take your Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad over the top with a sprinkle of extra blue cheese crumbles, a scattering of sliced green onions, or even a handful of chopped fresh parsley for a fresh pop of color and flavor. If you like a little buttery crunch, toss on some extra celery leaves or a few crushed pretzel pieces just before serving!
Side Dishes
This salad shines beside cool, crisp sides like cucumber spears, watermelon slices, or simple leafy greens with a citrusy vinaigrette. At a tailgate or BBQ, serve it with cornbread, chips, and roasted veggies—or pair with a cup of tomato soup for a truly comforting lunch!
Creative Ways to Present
Present your Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad in a big, colorful serving bowl at your next party, or—my favorite trick—serve in individual mason jars for adorable, portable salads on the go. For game days, scoop into crisp lettuce cups or stuff inside flour tortillas for tasty wraps everyone will rave over.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve as they mingle—just give it a gentle toss before serving. If the salad seems a bit dry after chilling, add a little extra ranch or buffalo sauce for a flavor boost.
Freezing
Because of the creamy dressing, I don’t recommend freezing this salad—the texture of the pasta and veggies changes after thawing and the dressing can separate. It’s best enjoyed fresh from the fridge for ultimate flavor and crunch!
Reheating
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is meant to be served chilled or at room temperature, so no reheating needed. Simply give leftovers a quick toss, add a touch more sauce if desired, and serve straight from the fridge for the best experience.
FAQs
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Can I make Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad often tastes even better after chilling in the fridge for a few hours as the flavors meld together. It’s a perfect make-ahead dish for entertaining or meal prep.
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What if I don’t like blue cheese?
No problem—just leave out the blue cheese or replace it with extra ranch dressing, feta, or even a sprinkle of cheddar. The salad will still be packed with buffalo flavor and creamy goodness.
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Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes! Rotini is great at holding the dressing, but you can easily use penne, farfalle, macaroni, or any short, sturdy pasta you love or have on hand.
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How spicy is this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad?
The heat level depends on the buffalo sauce you use and how much you add. Taste and adjust the dressing as you go to make it perfect for your spice preference—from mild and tangy to full-on fiery!
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to bring some zippy, spicy, and totally crave-worthy flavor to your table, Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is calling your name. It’s easy, quick, endlessly adaptable, and guaranteed to delight every buffalo chicken fan. Try it for your next gathering or a laid-back meal, and let those bold flavors do all the talking!
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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is a spicy twist on a classic dish, combining tender rotini pasta, shredded chicken, crunchy celery, and carrots, all coated in a tangy ranch and buffalo sauce dressing. Topped with crumbled blue cheese for an extra kick of flavor.
Ingredients
Pasta Salad:
- 2 cups rotini pasta, cooked to al dente and chilled
- 1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded (about 1 cup)
- 4 stalks celery, chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 2 Tablespoons buffalo sauce, more to taste (such as Frank’s Red Hot)
- 2 Tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Dressing: Combine ranch dressing, blue cheese, and buffalo sauce in a small bowl. Adjust spiciness with more buffalo sauce to taste.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, mix cooked rotini, shredded chicken, celery, and carrots.
- Add Dressing: Pour prepared dressing over the salad and toss until well coated.
- Serve: Divide into bowls and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
