Description
This Clean Buffalo Chicken Salad features tender shredded chicken coated in a tangy, spicy buffalo sauce, served on a bed of crisp romaine lettuce with a vibrant mix of fresh vegetables and black beans. It’s a satisfying, flavorful, and healthy dish, perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast (freshly cooked or store-bought rotisserie chicken)
- 4 tablespoons all-natural buffalo-style sauce (water, vinegar, and spices; Tabasco Buffalo Sauce recommended)
- 1.5 tablespoons melted ghee or clarified butter
- 5–6 cups packed chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeño, sliced (remove seeds for milder heat)
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (optional)
- A handful of fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Juice of 2 fresh limes
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and melted ghee. Stir to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.
- In a large salad bowl, arrange the chopped romaine lettuce as the base.
- Add the diced yellow bell pepper, sliced jalapeño, halved cherry tomatoes, and black beans on top of the lettuce.
- If using, sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend over the vegetables and beans.
- Add the buffalo chicken mixture on top of the salad.
- Drizzle with lime juice and extra virgin olive oil.
- Season with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.
- Toss the salad gently to combine before serving.
Notes
- For a milder salad, remove the seeds from the jalapeño or omit it entirely.
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, simply leave out the shredded cheese.
- You can replace the buffalo sauce with a milder hot sauce or use a homemade buffalo sauce with a lower heat level.
- For added crunch, consider adding sliced avocado or roasted nuts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (for heating the chicken, if needed)
- Category: Salad, Main Course
- Method: No-cook, Mixing
- Cuisine: American, Healthy
Keywords: Buffalo chicken salad, clean eating, healthy salad, buffalo sauce, chicken breast, spicy salad, cilantro, romaine lettuce, lime dressing