Okay, buckle up, because we’re about to talk about one of my all-time favorite things to whip up when I need something fun, flavorful, and just plain GOOD: **Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad**! Seriously, if you love that tangy, spicy kick of buffalo wings but also crave the comfort of a hearty pasta salad, you are in for a TREAT. This isn’t just any old pasta salad; it’s got that zesty punch that makes your taste buds happy dance. I first stumbled upon a version of this years ago at a potluck, and I swear, I ate about half the bowl myself. I knew right then I had to figure out my own perfect recipe.

It’s become my go-to for everything from summer BBQs and game days to just needing a quick, satisfying lunch that lasts a few days. It’s incredibly versatile, totally crowd-pleasing, and surprisingly easy to throw together. Trust me, once you make this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad, it’ll be on repeat in your kitchen, too!

Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Alright, so why *this* Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad? Because it’s seriously the best! Here’s the lowdown on why I keep coming back to this recipe:

It’s ridiculously easy: Seriously, if you can boil pasta and shred chicken, you can make this. It comes together in a flash, especially if you use leftover chicken or grab a rotisserie one.
Flavor explosion: That combo of spicy buffalo sauce, creamy ranch, and cool blue cheese? It’s pure magic. Every bite is packed with flavor.
Total crowd-pleaser: Take this to a party, a picnic, or a potluck, and watch it disappear. People go crazy for it!
Make it your own: Want more heat? Add extra buffalo sauce! Less spice? Go lighter. You can totally adjust it to your taste buds.

It’s just one of those recipes that delivers big on taste without a ton of effort. Win-win!

Essential Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Okay, let’s talk about what you need to make this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad happen. It’s all pretty straightforward stuff, which I love! You’ll need about 1 pound of cooked chicken, shredded. This is perfect for using up leftovers, or just grabbing a rotisserie chicken from the store – easy peasy! Then, you’ll want 1 pound of your favorite pasta, cooked al dente and drained. Any shape works, but I love something that holds onto the sauce, like rotini or penne.

For that signature kick, you’ll need 1/2 cup of buffalo sauce. Use your favorite brand! And to cool things down and make it creamy, grab 1/2 cup of ranch dressing. Next, for that crucial crunch and bite, we’re adding 1/4 cup of chopped celery and 1/4 cup of chopped red onion. Don’t skip these! Finally, crumble in 1/4 cup of blue cheese – it’s essential for that classic buffalo flavor combo. And of course, some salt and pepper to taste at the end.

Equipment Needed for Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Good news! You don’t need any fancy gadgets for this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad. You’ll definitely want a nice, **large mixing bowl**. Trust me, it makes tossing everything together so much easier without stuff flying everywhere! You’ll also need your standard **measuring cups and spoons** for getting those ingredient amounts just right. And of course, something to serve it with, like a **large spoon or serving utensils**. That’s pretty much it – simple and sweet!

Preparing Your Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Alright, let’s get down to the fun part – actually making this amazing Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad! It’s super straightforward, almost therapeutic in its simplicity. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a delicious salad ready to go in no time. The key is layering those flavors and textures just right.

Combining Chicken and Buffalo Sauce

First things first, grab that big mixing bowl we talked about. Toss in your shredded cooked chicken. Now, pour that glorious buffalo sauce right over it. Get a spoon or spatula and give it a good stir. You want every single piece of chicken coated in that tangy, spicy goodness. It should look nice and vibrant orange! This step really infuses that core buffalo flavor right into the star ingredient.

Adding Pasta and Vegetables to the Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Next, add your cooked and drained pasta to the bowl with the buffalo chicken. Don’t worry if it seems like a lot of stuff – it’ll all come together! Now, toss in your chopped celery and red onion. See how the colors are starting to pop? The celery adds a great crispness, and the red onion gives it a little bite. Give everything a gentle mix to distribute the pasta and veggies evenly with the chicken.

Dressing the Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Time for the creamy magic! Pour the ranch dressing over the chicken, pasta, and veggies. Now, carefully start stirring and folding everything together. You want that ranch to coat everything, bringing all the flavors together. Keep going until there are no dry spots and the salad looks nice and creamy. This is where the “salad” part really comes to life, binding all those delicious components.

Finishing Touches for Your Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Almost there! Now, gently fold in the crumbled blue cheese. Don’t overmix here; you want those little pockets of tangy blue cheese throughout. It’s like finding little flavor treasures! Finally, give it a taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Buffalo sauce and ranch usually have salt, so taste first! Once it’s seasoned just right, cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Trust me, chilling time is crucial – it lets those flavors meld and become even more amazing. The longer it chills, the better it gets!

Tips for Perfect Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Want to make your Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad absolutely sing? Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned along the way. First off, using a **rotisserie chicken** is a total game-changer for convenience. It’s already cooked and seasoned, making prep a breeze!

Don’t be afraid to **play with the spice level**. Love it fiery? Add a little extra buffalo sauce. Prefer it milder? Use a bit less or mix in more ranch. And seriously, **don’t skip the chilling time**. That half hour (or even longer!) in the fridge lets all those amazing flavors get to know each other and makes the salad taste so much better. It’s worth the wait, I promise!

Variations and Substitutions for Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

One of the best things about this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is how easy it is to tweak! If you want to add more veggies, go for it! Chopped **bell peppers** (any color!) or even finely diced **carrots** would be delicious and add extra crunch and color. Not a huge blue cheese fan? You could swap it out for crumbled **feta cheese** for a different tangy flavor, or even some shredded **cheddar** if you want something milder.

As for the pasta, while I love rotini or penne, feel free to use whatever short pasta shape you have on hand – shells, bowties, or cavatappi would all work great! Just make sure it’s something that can grab onto that creamy dressing. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your perfect combo!

Serving and Storing Your Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Once your Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad has chilled and those flavors have become best friends, it’s ready to serve! It’s fantastic all on its own as a light meal, but it’s also amazing served with things like **corn on the cob**, a simple **green salad**, or even some **crispy potato chips** for extra crunch. It’s honestly the perfect side dish for grilled meats or burgers at a BBQ.

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Just pop the salad into an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. It’ll stay good for about **3-4 days**. The flavors actually get even better the next day! Just give it a quick stir before serving again. This salad is definitely best served cold, so no need to reheat anything!

Frequently Asked Questions About Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Okay, I get a few questions about this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad pretty often, so let’s tackle them! It’s always good to know the ins and outs of your favorite dishes, right?

Can I make Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad ahead of time?

Absolutely, yes! This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is actually one of those magical dishes that tastes *even better* the next day. Making it ahead gives all those incredible flavors – the spicy buffalo, tangy ranch, and sharp blue cheese – time to really meld together and deepen. I often make it a few hours or even the day before I plan to serve it, especially if I’m taking it to a party. Just keep it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to go!

What type of pasta works best in Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad?

Honestly, you’ve got options here, but the key is a short pasta shape that has little nooks and crannies to hold onto that creamy dressing and bits of chicken and blue cheese. Things like **rotini** (my personal favorite!), **penne**, **farfalle** (bowties), or even **cavatappi** (the corkscrew shape) work wonderfully. They give you great texture in every bite. I usually avoid long, thin pasta like spaghetti for pasta salads.

How long does Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad last in the refrigerator?

When stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, your Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad will stay delicious for about **3 to 4 days**. Just give it a good stir before serving leftovers, as the dressing can sometimes settle a little. It’s a fantastic option for meal prep because it holds up so well!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a quick note on the nutritional stuff for this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad. Based on the ingredients, you’re looking at roughly 450 calories per serving. That includes about 25g of fat (with 8g being saturated), 35g of carbs, and a nice healthy punch of 30g of protein. There’s also around **5g of sugar** and **2g of fiber**.

Keep in mind this is just an estimate! The exact numbers will totally vary depending on the specific brands of buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, pasta, and even chicken you use. So, take these as a general idea rather than set-in-stone facts, okay?

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad, 450 Great Calories

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: None

Print Recipe

Description

A flavorful pasta salad featuring buffalo chicken, pasta, and a creamy dressing.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound cooked chicken, shredded
1 pound pasta, cooked and drained
1/2 cup buffalo sauce
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken and buffalo sauce.
Add the cooked pasta, celery, and red onion to the bowl.
Pour the ranch dressing over the mixture and stir to combine.
Fold in the crumbled blue cheese.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to your preference.
Other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots can be added.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No Cook (after chicken and pasta are cooked)
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 450
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: Buffalo Chicken, Pasta Salad, Chicken Salad, Spicy Pasta Salad, Ranch Dressing