This homemade buffalo chicken salad with Greek yogurt is a winning combination: quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying! With Greek yogurt offering around 20 grams of protein per cup and chicken, another 43 grams per cup, it’s a protein-packed and versatile option for any meal or snack. Whether you wrap it up, sandwich it between bread, or dip veggies and crackers in it, you’ve got a balanced and satisfying meal in just 10 minutes!

Quick Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt in a glass bowl on a white serving tray with celery, peppers, and crackers on the side

As an Intuitive Eating Dietitian, I’m passionate about simplifying recipes and saving you time in the kitchen, so I’m super excited to share this quick and easy buffalo chicken salad with Greek yogurt recipe with you. It’s so easy to whip together, meal prep-friendly, and a versatile addition to many meals. Plus, it’s incredibly tasty and satisfying!

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This creamy, flavorful buffalo chicken salad is the ultimate protein-packed meal or snack option. You can make it ahead and enjoy it in so many different ways: wrap it up in a tortilla, sandwich it between your favorite bread slices, or use it as a dip for chips, crackers, or veggies. 

We’ve even been eating it hot recently and it might even be my favorite way to enjoy it! Use it as a quesadilla filling or add it to toast or a bagel and toast it with some cheese on top — SO good!

The possibilities are truly endless!

Protein gets a lot of hype. And while I don’t think it’s more important than other nutrients it does play an important role. Protein not only helps us build and repair muscle, as a meal component it slows the rate of digestion, slowing the rate our blood sugars rise after eating and also helping us feel full and satisfied for longer.

This concept is something we dive deep into in my Make Food Feel Good program, where we also explore how and why all foods fit, focusing on understanding how different nutrients work together, as well as each of their unique purposes (no cutting carbs here). When you dig into this buffalo chicken salad, you’re not just enjoying an incredibly tasty dish, you’re also benefitting from a protein punch to leave you feeling balanced and energized.

Looking for more quick and easy protein-rich recipes that are flavor-packed and satisfying? You have to check out my Juicy Maple Glazed Chicken Burger and Easy Miso-Yogurt Oven Baked Salmon.

Ingredients for Quick Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt in small white bowls including cooked shredded chicken, Greek yogurt, mayo, Frank's Red Hot Original Sauce, garlic powder, green onions, blue cheese, pepper

What You Need For This Buffalo Chicken Salad

Greek Yogurt: Creamy and packed with protein, instead of the traditional mayo, Greek yogurt forms the nutritious base of this chicken salad. I find that opting for Greek yogurt with 2-5% milk fat provides a more subtle flavor (I find it less tangy) while offering the added benefit of increased satiety, keeping you full and satisfied longer.

Chicken: Whether you opt for cooking and shredding chicken or using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, both options are perfect for meal prep! Cooking and shredding or dicing chicken in advance allows you to have it ready to go for quick and easy meals throughout the week. On the other hand, using rotisserie chicken saves time and effort, making it a convenient choice for busy weeks. Either way, you’ll have a protein-rich ingredient ready to use in this delicious buffalo chicken salad.

Hot Sauce: I like (okay, I’m obsessed with…) using the classic Frank’s Red Hot sauce, but feel free to choose any hot sauce that suits your taste! It adds that signature spicy kick to the salad. If spice isn’t your thing, you can omit it for a milder flavor profile.

Celery: Adding both crunch and freshness, diced celery is a small but key ingredient in this salad. It not only provides a satisfying texture but also a refreshing flavor that compliments the other ingredients perfectly. Plus – you get the benefit of added fiber for gut health and blood sugar balance!

How To Make Buffalo Chicken Salad

Ingredients for Quick Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt unmixed in a medium wooden bowl including cooked shredded chicken, Greek yogurt, mayo, Frank's Red Hot Original Sauce, garlic powder, green onions, blue cheese, pepper

To a large bowl, add the chicken, yogurt, mayo, hot sauce, garlic powder, celery, green onion and blue cheese if using. 

Ingredients for Quick Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt mixed in a medium wooden bowl including cooked shredded chicken, Greek yogurt, mayo, Frank's Red Hot Original Sauce, garlic powder, green onions, blue cheese, pepper

Mix to combine well and season with pepper or more hot sauce to taste. If it’s too dry, add a bit more yogurt, 1 tablespoon at a time.

Quick Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt in a glass bowl on a white serving tray with celery, peppers, and crackers on the side

Serve with crackers, chips or fresh veggies or use it as filling for a wrap of sandwich. Enjoy!

Mistakes and Fixes

Consistency Too Thick or Dry: If the salad is too thick or dry, add a little more Greek yogurt or mayo to reach your desired consistency.

Flavour Too Spicy: If the salad is too spicy, add more Greek yogurt or mayo to mellow out the heat.

Not Flavorful Enough: If the salad lacks flavor, add more garlic powder, pepper or hot sauce to taste. You can also add a dash of salt to bring out all of the flavors!

Quick Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt in a glass bowl on a white serving tray with celery, peppers, and crackers on the side

Nutritional Benefits (Nutrition by Addition)

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I am a huge fan of nutrition by addition, so much so it’s an integral part of my Make Food Feel Good Program. This intuitive eating practice is all about enriching your meals by looking at what ingredients you can add to your plate (rather than cut out) so you can feel satisfied physically, mentally and emotionally!

In this salad, the buffalo chicken not only offers protein for muscle repair and satiety but also adds a bold, spicy flavor. Meanwhile, the Greek yogurt serves as a creamy dressing base, providing probiotics for gut health and additional protein. These additions not only enhance the salad’s taste but also boost its nutrient density, ensuring a more fulfilling and nourishing meal.

Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt is known for being high in protein, with around 20 grams per cup. This protein content can help keep you feeling full longer and support muscle repair and growth. It also contains probiotics, which can help support gut health. Plus, it’s a good source of calcium and potassium, which are important for bone health and blood pressure regulation.

Chicken: Chicken is another great source of protein, with around 43 grams per cup. This protein content is important for muscle health and overall body function. Chicken also contains B vitamins, which help support energy metabolism.

Celery: Celery is a good source of fiber, providing about 1.6 grams per cup. This fiber content can help support digestion and help you feel full. It’s also a hydrating vegetable and contains antioxidants like vitamin C, which can help support immune function.

Green Onions: Green onions contain vitamins C and K, which play important roles in bone health and immune function. They also contain antioxidants, which may have anti-inflammatory effects and can help support overall health.

Quick Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt in a glass bowl on a white serving tray with celery, peppers, and crackers on the side

Recipe, Kitchen, & Time Saving Hacks

For the Chicken: I love using the chicken breasts from a rotisserie chicken for this recipe. No cooking, no dishes, just a convenient option that saves you a ton of time! Alternatively, you can prep your own chicken ahead of time and dice or shred it so it’s ready to go. 

Prep Ahead: Prepping the salad ingredients ahead of time and storing them in separate containers allows for quick and easy assembly when you’re ready to eat. This can be especially helpful for busy days when you need a meal ready in a hurry.

Batch Cooking: This is a great strategy for saving time throughout the week. This recipe is already developed to provide a relatively large yield to use throughout the week but you can extend it even further by doubling it! Last time I made this chicken salad I made a batch of quesadillas with it and popped them in the freezer. It’s been so nice to pull them out on busy days!

Food Processor: I swear by my food processor!  You can shred the chicken and chop the celery for this recipe in record time! This handy kitchen tool makes meal prep so much more efficient! 

If you make this Quick Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt, it would make my day if you would leave a comment and/or star rating below— I love hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @lindsaypleskot.rd so I can see your versions! It makes me so happy to see these recipes come to life in your kitchens! Xo

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Quick Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt in a glass bowl on a white serving tray with celery, peppers, and crackers on the side

Quick Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt (10 minute high protein recipe)

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Description

 

This homemade buffalo chicken salad with Greek yogurt is a winning combination: quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying! With Greek yogurt offering around 20 grams of protein per cup and chicken, another 43 grams per cup, it’s a protein-packed and versatile option for any meal or snack. Whether you wrap it up, sandwich it between bread, or dip veggies and crackers in it, you’ve got a balanced and satisfying meal in just 10 minutes!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 4 cups cooked shredded or diced chicken breasts (I used the two breasts of a rotisserie chicken)

  • 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt ( I like 2-5%)

  • 2 Tbsp mayo

  • ⅓  cup Frank’s Red Hot Original Sauce

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • 2 cups celery (about 4 stalks), diced

  • ½ cup green onions, thinly sliced

  • ⅓ cup blue cheese, crumbled (optional)

  • Pepper to taste

Instructions

 

  1. To a large bowl, add the chicken, yogurt, mayo, hot sauce, garlic powder, celery, green onion and blue cheese if using. Mix to combine well and season with pepper or more hot sauce to taste. If it’s too dry, add a bit more yogurt or mayo, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing as you go until desired consistency is reached.

  2. Serve with crackers, chips or fresh veggies or use it as filling for a wrap,sandwich, or even heated up in a quesadilla! Enjoy!

Notes

 

This salad is delicious served warm too! Use it as a quesadilla or taco filling, or make a melt by adding it to bread or a bagel, topping with cheese and toasting until warmed through!