This is not your ordinary salad! Crispy buffalo chicken over a bed of crisp greens, with sweet cherry tomatoes, crunchy celery, and lush avocado, topped with blue cheese and extra creamy buttermilk ranch.

Do you ever just crave a salad? Not just any salad though. A salad where every single bite is perfect. This salad is just that! It is layered with so many fresh vegetables to balance out that spicy chicken. And the extra creamy buttermilk ranch is so good... you will be pouring it, not drizzling. If it is one of those days that you are craving an amazing salad, you need to try this!

Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad

Emma Essence

Far from your ordinary boring salad! Crispy buffalo chicken over a bed of crisp greens, with sweet cherry tomatoes, crunchy celery, and lush avocado, topped with blue cheese and extra creamy buttermilk ranch.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 20

Course entree

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

Air fryer (optional)

Ingredients

Crispy Buffalo Chicken

4 large chicken breasts
2 tablespoons oil olive oil or vegetable oil
½ cup bread crumbs
½ cup panko
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup buffalo sauce I use Franks Red Hot

Creamy Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
½ cup buttermilk
3 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon dry mustard powder
⅛ teaspoon cayenne
3 tablespoons fresh parsley minced
2 tablespoons fresh dill minced
1 teaspoon fresh chives minced

Salad

2 heads romaine lettuce
3 carrots shredded
3 stalks celery chopped
1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
2 cucumbers chopped
4 stalks green onion chopped
2 avocados sliced
4 ounces blue cheese crumbles

Instructions

The chicken can be made with an air fryer or standard oven. If using an air fryer, preheat it to 400F. If using an oven, preheat it to 425F.
In a shallow bowl, combine panko, bread crumbs, paprika, chili powder, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and salt. In another shallow bowl, pour the oil. Dredge the chicken in the oil and then press into the breadcrumb mixture. Press firmly to ensure all the breadcrumbs adhere. Repeat until all the chicken has been used. If using the oven, place the chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. If using the air fryer, transfer to the air fryer basket and fry for 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, making the dressing. Add all ingredients into a medium bowl and whisk until combined. Refrigerate while preparing salad.
In a large bowl, combine lettuce, carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and green onion.
Once the chicken is finished cooking, toss in buffalo sauce and slice.
Separate the salad into individual-sized bowls. Add avocado, blue cheese, and the sliced buffalo chicken. Pour the buttermilk dressing on top and toss. Add additional buffalo sauce if desired.

Keyword Buffalo, Chicken, Crispy, Salad