Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad (Print Version)

A zesty cold pasta salad with buffalo chicken, crisp vegetables, and creamy ranch dressing. Perfect for gatherings and outdoor meals.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 tablespoon lemon juice

→ Garnish

11 - 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese, optional
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley, optional

# Steps:

01 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside to cool.
02 - In a medium bowl, toss the cooked chicken with buffalo wing sauce until evenly coated.
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 smooth and combined.
05 - Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
06 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and blend.
07 - Before serving, top with crumbled blue cheese and fresh chives or parsley if desired. Serve chilled.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours, which means you can prep it the night before and actually enjoy your own party.
  • The buffalo sauce gives you that wing flavor without the messy fingers or need for napkins everywhere.
  • Every bite has crunch, creaminess, and a little kick all at once.
  • Leftovers make an incredible next day lunch that your coworkers will envy.
02 -
  • Do not skip rinsing the pasta under cold water, warm pasta will make your dressing thin and greasy instead of creamy.
  • Toss the chicken with buffalo sauce while its still slightly warm so it absorbs more flavor before mixing with the cold ingredients.
  • If you add the blue cheese too early it will dissolve into the dressing, so wait until the very end to keep those tangy crumbles intact.
03 -
  • Use a rotisserie chicken and skip the cooking step entirely, it saves time and the seasoned skin adds even more flavor when you shred it in.
  • If you are making this for a crowd, double the dressing because people always want more and pasta tends to soak it up as it sits.
  • Toast the pasta briefly in a dry skillet after draining to give it a slightly nutty flavor and firmer texture that holds up better under the dressing.
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