Description

This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect blend of spicy, creamy, and tangy flavors. Made with tender pasta, juicy chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a zesty Buffalo dressing, this dish is a must-have for BBQs, potlucks, meal prep, or game day gatherings. Serve it chilled for a refreshing summer side or as a flavorful main dish.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pasta Salad:

1 (16-ounce) package rotini pasta
1 pound frozen cooked chicken strips, defrosted and diced
1 cup red onion, diced
½ cup red bell pepper, diced
½ cup green bell pepper, diced

For the Dressing:

1 cup chunky blue cheese dressing
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup Buffalo wing sauce
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add rotini pasta and cook until al dente (about 8 minutes).
Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Dice defrosted chicken strips into bite-sized pieces.
If using fresh chicken, grill or pan-cook it before dicing.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:
- Blue cheese dressing
- Mayonnaise
- Buffalo wing sauce
- Salt and black pepper

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

Add the pasta, chicken, red onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper to the bowl with the dressing.
Toss everything together until evenly coated.

Step 5: Chill & Serve

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld.
Before serving, give the salad a final toss and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

For a milder salad, use less Buffalo sauce or add extra dressing.
Substitute ranch dressing if you don’t like blue cheese.
Add shredded carrots or celery for extra crunch.
For a healthier option, replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 450
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 50mg