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This BUFFALO CHICKEN PASTA SALAD is perfect for a summer potluck or gathering when you want to spice things up! Tender chicken, a spicy dressing, and the sweet crunch of fresh carrots and celery make for the perfect pasta salad.
Not only are we big fans of buffalo chicken, we are also obsessed with summer salads.
Not so much the kind that start with lettuce, but the kind that start with pasta, potatoes, or even jello. 😉
I mean, our vegetable salad is absolutely delicious and perfect for summer, but sometimes you need something like baked potato salad, Amish macaroni salad, or Snickers apple salad. Salads that really aren’t…salad.
Enter this spicy buffalo chicken pasta salad! It’s loaded with tender chunks of chicken, crisp veggies, plenty of hot sauce, and ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Served cold, this is a fun side dish that will spice up any summer gathering.
We’ve also been known to make a sandwich out of our buffalo chicken salad. The perfect lunch for those that like spice!
Ingredient Notes:
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Farfalle Pasta – Any small shape of pasta would work fine here.
Diced Chicken – We had some pre-cooked chicken ready to go. Try my Crockpot Shredded Chicken recipe! A rotisserie chicken would work too.
Hot Sauce – We love Frank’s Red Hot, but you can use your favorite wing sauce if you prefer.
Ranch Dressing – Blue cheese dressing is also totally acceptable, if you’re into that sort of thing.
What We Love About This Recipe!
We’ll take any excuse to eat buffalo chicken, and we love pasta, so there is a lot to like about this combination! It’s also so easy to make, the pasta takes no time and we usually have pre-cooked chicken ready to go just for recipes like this.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe:
Pasta: We used farfalle but any small shape of pasta will work well in this dish. Cook the pasta per the package instructions before draining and adding to a large mixing bowl.
Once that’s done, you’re just about finished. This is a very simple buffalo chicken pasta recipe, so all that’s left is to mix everything up.
Helpful Tips!
- Got a large gathering or you just really, really love buffalo chicken pasta? Just double the pasta and adjust the other ingredients accordingly.
- If you want more heat, try a spicier hot sauce or wing sauce. A pinch or two of ground cayenne would also heat things up nicely.
Sauce: Toss the pasta with the ranch or blue cheese dressing, hot sauce, chicken, and some carrots and celery for a tasty summer lunch or side dish.
I used my shredded chicken from the freezer in this dish. Find out how easy it is to make right here. It will seriously change weeknight dinners!
Mix it Up!
Love blue cheese? Use that in place of the ranch!
Sprinkle shredded cheddar or crumbled blue cheese right on top of the salad before serving.
FAq’s:
We like to let this chill for 2 hours in the fridge before serving. This will ensure the pasta is good and cold and that the flavors have had time to soak into the pasta.
We like to use leftover chicken in recipes like this, such as diced grilled chicken from the night before, shredded rotisserie chicken, or even canned chicken. Our Instant Pot Whole Chicken shreds beautifully for use in recipes like this.
As written, we think this recipe has a little kick but we’d still consider it mild. To make it even more mild, use Frank’s wing sauce instead of Frank’s hot sauce. To make it more spicy, use your favorite hot wing sauce and/or mix dried cayenne into the pasta salad.
MORE BUFFALO CHICKEN RECIPES!
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Flautas
- Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese
- Buffalo Chicken Dip Bread
- Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (Low Carb)
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces farfalle pasta
- 1 cup cooked, diced chicken
- 1/2 cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
- 1/3 cup prepared Ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup grated carrots
- 1/4 cup diced celery
- 1/4 cup diced green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta according to package directions. Drain and add to a large bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl. Stir to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Before serving, stir the pasta and taste. Add more hot sauce and ranch dressing as desired.
L Rock says
I’ll go one further–My husband and I never have shared a blanket or a sheet–need my own! But here’s the further. I have a foot corner because of my OWN feet. Feet are gross.
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
You made me laugh, so thank you. One of the top 5 things I like to do on a daily basis. What a keen idea for a pasta salad. For real. It an obvious idea too, but hey I didn’t think of it.
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
Hahahaha Karly! You crack me up. My husband is far more particular about the bed and sheets than I am, and his feet don’t bother me, but mine do him. He is constantly changing the sheets in the night haha. This chicken pasta salad looks amazing – I love buffalo chicken!! Pinned 🙂
Reneé says
How did you cook your chicken? Was it grilled or just boiled or maybe from a can? Can’t wait to try this recipe, it looks delicious!
Karly says
Hi @Reneé,
I used my <a href="http://www.bunsinmyoven.com/2013/04/07/crockpot-shredded-chicken-a-favorite-for-freezer-meals/"crockpot freezer chicken. But, any leftover cooked chicken would work great here, so long as it’s not heavily seasoned.
Belinda@themoonblushbaker says
Oh scream and faith! Pasta and chicken? creamy sauces are my weakness Karly, with the spicy kick make it that much more attractive
Chloe @ foodlikecake says
This pasta salad looks delicious! I love buffalo chicken!!
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup says
I love the randomness of the “foot corner”. It’s not an issue in our home, but I enjoyed your story. This recipe looks delicious. I think the combo of the hot sauce and the ranch sounds wonderful. Thanks!
Karly says
@Heather @ My Overflowing Cup,
NOT AN ISSUE? Are you living like animals?? 😉 Just kiddin’. I’m well aware that I’m insane.
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup says
@Karly, Not insane at all, but hilarious! It would be fun to meet you in person. I think we would get along well. 🙂
Angela Perpingon says
This post had m laughing out loud and crying it was so funny. This looks yummy and your humor is top notch. My favourite blog!
Karly says
@Angela Perpingon,
Thank you!!
Tina | Mademoiselle Gourmande says
The pasta salad looks great. I’m a huge pasta salad fan! 🙂
I’ve never thought of any foot corner to be honest. I am really not into feet. But I don’t really mind the blanket bottom where the feet usually are. But thanks for making me think about it. I’m still okay with it.. 😀
Tammy says
OMG, delurking to say that while I had never thought about The Foot Corner, Foot Issues are why I am no longer able to take a tub bath.
I don’t care how much I scrub that tub, in the back of my mind, I keep thinking about All the Manly Feet that have been standing in such close proximity to My Bizness. (Husband and 3 very athletic boys)
No Can Do.
And this salad will be a hit, thank you!
Karly says
@Tammy,
Ew. Yes. Man feet are THE WORST.
keri @ shaken together says
We must have been separated at birth because I use the tags to identify the top and bottom of our comforter, too! And all because the hubs is a welder and has his feet stuffed in steel toe boots all day. Well, and mostly because man feet are gross. But YUM for the salad!!
Karly says
@keri @ shaken together,
YES. Feet are gross, but especially feet that live in steel toed boots all day.
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
My husband is so grossed out by feet, he probably wishes there was a foot corner. Or a special pocket of the blanket that feet go into. And yeah, umm, foot juice? I’m kinda grossed out, LOL.
This salad though, OMG you rock the buffalo sauce recipes!!
Karly says
@Aimee @ ShugarySweets,
I should probably not be allowed to write a food blog.
marcie says
This pasta looks so creamy and delicious with that kicked up Ranch dressing! 🙂
How to Philosophize with Cake says
Oh wow, what a great idea! I love buffalo chicken flavors, but I’ve never tried it in pasta. Will have to do so ASAP! 🙂
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
So, the foot corner thing made me laugh! But, we don’t have one in our house….luckily!
What I do wish we had though, is this pasta salad (segues FTW!) Buffalo chicken and carbs? I’m in. Pinned!
Karly says
@Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness,
You should really consider getting a foot corner. Makes for happier marriages…until you’re waking your spouse up shouting about the foot corner being on your pillow.
Never mind. Sounds like you’re doing juuuuuust fine without my help. 🙂