Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe Easy 5-Ingredient Summer Meal with Blue Cheese
A flavorful and easy buffalo chicken pasta salad with blue cheese crumbles, perfect for summer meals. This spicy, creamy, and satisfying dish is ready in about 20 minutes and ideal for picnics, potlucks, or casual dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 12 ounces (340 grams) rotini or penne pasta
- 2 cups (about 280 grams) shredded or diced cooked chicken breast, grilled or rotisserie
- ½ cup (120 ml) buffalo wing sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
- ¾ cup (90 grams) blue cheese crumbles
- ½ cup (120 ml) ranch dressing (homemade or store-bought)
- Optional garnishes: chopped celery, sliced green onions, fresh parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces rotini or penne and cook according to package instructions (9-11 minutes) until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain well.
- If you don’t have pre-cooked chicken, grill or sauté 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts seasoned lightly with salt and pepper. Let rest for 5 minutes, then shred or dice into bite-sized pieces (about 2 cups or 280 grams). Cold rotisserie chicken also works perfectly.
- In a large bowl, combine ½ cup buffalo wing sauce and ½ cup ranch dressing. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooled pasta and chicken to the bowl with the sauce. Fold gently but thoroughly so every piece is coated without mashing the pasta. Add chopped celery or green onions if desired.
- Sprinkle ¾ cup blue cheese crumbles over the salad and fold lightly to distribute evenly.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Taste before serving and adjust with salt or extra buffalo sauce if desired.
Notes
Rinse cooked pasta with cold water to prevent sticking and keep texture firm. Shred chicken finely for better flavor distribution. Mix buffalo sauce and ranch dressing before adding pasta to ensure even coating. Chill salad at least 30 minutes to meld flavors. Adjust heat by adding more or less buffalo sauce or cayenne. Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge up to 3 days. Reheat not recommended; serve chilled or slightly chilled.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 350400
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 23
- Protein: 30
Keywords: buffalo chicken pasta salad, blue cheese, summer meal, easy pasta salad, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, quick recipe