Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad is a wholesome recipe that's packed with flavor! It has the perfect combination of textures and flavors from the fresh vegetables, crisp romaine lettuce, and spicy buffalo chicken tenders.

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• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• 🍴Ingredient Notes
• 🍴Step by Step Instructions
• Expert Tips
• Serving Suggestions
• How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
• Recipe Card
• Want more recipes?
• 💬 Reviews

Why You'll Love This Recipe

If you're sick of boring salad recipes, you are going to love this Healthy Buffalo Chicken Salad! It's a wholesome and flavorful dish that the whole family will love!

Plus, this recipe can easily be customized, it's great for meal prep, and perfect for anyone with dietary restrictions because it's gluten-free and dairy-free.

For the crispy chicken, I used my Paleo Chicken Nuggets that are made with egg, cassava flour, garlic powder, salt, and shredded coconut. Once air fried, they come out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Depending on what you like, you can either make the crispy chicken with cubed chicken, thinly sliced chicken, or chicken tenders.

If you make larger tenders, they can be cut into bite-size pieces before you add to the salad.

🍴Ingredient Notes

• Chicken Breast - If the chicken breast is thick, cut into small cubes that are about 2 inches long. If you have thin chicken breast or chicken tenders, you can cut them after they cook.
• Egg - You'll need an egg to help the flour mixture stick to the chicken.
• Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs - To create the crispy outer coating, I use a combination of shredded coconut, cassava flour, garlic powder, and salt.
• Romaine Lettuce - The base of the salad can be any type of fresh lettuce, but romaine lettuce gives a nice crunch!
• Vegetables - Feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand, but I suggest cucumber, bell pepper, and avocado. Red onion and kalamata olives are also yummy on this salad!
• Dressing - I used Primal Kitchen Creamy Ranch Dressing because it's dairy-free, but any ranch dressing will work. For a lighter option, I also like a simple combination of red wine vinegar and olive oil.

🍴Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Gluten-Free Breading

Start by preparing the chicken tenders. Add cassava flour, garlic powder, and salt into a bowl. Whisk together.

In a separate bowl add the egg and whisk with a fork. Finally, add the shredded coconut into a small bowl.

Step 2: Breading Chicken Tenders

Dip the chicken pieces in the egg, then the cassava flour mixture, back into the egg, then into the shredded coconut.

Place chicken on a parchment paper lined baking sheet or straight into your air fryer. Repeat until all chicken is coated.

Step 3: Air Fry or Bake Chicken

Air fry or bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes, flip, then air fry or bake for an additional 5-10 minutes. (Depending on how thick they are.)

Step 4: Toss in Buffalo Sauce

Let the breaded chicken cool for about 10 minutes to allow the breading to set then add into a mixing bowl with about ¼ cup of buffalo sauce. (Add more as needed.) Carefully toss until the chicken is completely coated.

Step 5: Assemble Salad

Finally, assemble the salad by adding romaine lettuce, chopped vegetables, crispy buffalo chicken, and your choice of dressing.

Expert Tips

• Pat dry chicken with paper towels before coating in egg wash and breading. I like to add the chicken breast to a towel-lined plate.
• Try to cut the chicken pieces around the same size so they cook evenly.
• If you bake the chicken, broil for 2-4 minutes after baking to achieve a golden brown outer coating.
• FLIP the breaded chicken halfway through baking or air frying. This will ensure that the bottom does not get soggy.
• Make sure the chicken is fully coated in buffalo sauce or hot sauce for best results. I suggest adding the chicken and sauce into a bowl and toss or stir with a wooden spoon.

Serving Suggestions

Family Style

The great part about this recipe is that you can serve family style in a large serving bowl. It's a great meal for hosting or family dinners!

I suggest adding the dressing before serving. Use tongs or two large spoons to toss the salad so it's easier for guests to serve and enjoy!

Meal Prep & Individual Bowls

Prepare the vegetables and buffalo chicken ahead of time to easily make smaller individual bowls!

If you're prepping for a few days ahead, put the chicken at the bottom of the container followed by the vegetables, and then lettuce at the top so it does not get soggy. Bring dressing on the side.

Boneless Wings

The breaded chicken tastes very similar to boneless buffalo wings so you can also enjoy them on their own with a little ranch dressing and crunchy celery sticks.

I also have a different version of Gluten-Free Boneless Buffalo Wings that work great this way too! (I use panko breadcrumbs.)

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

Storing

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Reheating

I suggest storing the buffalo chicken separate container. Add to the salad when you're ready to enjoy!

This way you can heat the chicken easily and the buffalo sauce won't make the lettuce soggy. Reheat in an air fryer, oven, or microwave.

More Salad Recipes!

After you make this Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe, make sure to leave a comment & rate the recipe!

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