Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad (Grilled or Pan-Seared)

Chicken Caesar salad is one of my go-to summer dinner recipes. It's flavorful, satisfying, and doesn't require me to turn on my oven when it's way too hot outside.

But, even if I don't want to heat up my kitchen, there are days when I just can't resist a little bit of spice in my salad.

That's where this spicy buffalo chicken Caesar salad comes in. It's the perfect balance of classic Caesar salad flavors with a kick of heat from the buffalo chicken.

The combination of crisp romaine lettuce, creamy homemade Caesar dressing, crunchy croutons, and spicy buffalo chicken, creates a dish that's both refreshing and hearty enough to satisfy.

Whether you're serving it up for a weeknight dinner, a backyard BBQ, or just for yourself, this spicy chicken Caesar salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So, grab your favorite salad bowl, and let's get cooking!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Lightened Up- Skip the breaded buffalo chicken and opt for grilled or pan-seared buffalo chicken breast.
• Ready in 1 Hour- The hardest part is waiting for the chicken to marinate. But, you can prepare all of your other ingredients while you wait!
• Spicy- This easy salad recipe has all the features of a classic Caesar salad, but with a deliciously spicy twist.
• Versatile- Serve this spicy buffalo chicken Caesar salad as a main dish or as a side dish. It's perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on the key ingredients. For the full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Chicken Breast- I prefer to use boneless, skinless chicken breast for my buffalo chicken. Pounding the chicken to even thickness allows it to cook quickly and evenly, tenderizes it, and helps it absorb more flavor.
• Romaine Lettuce- The classic lettuce for Caesar salad. Buying a head of romaine lettuce is less expensive and more flavorful than pre-chopped, bagged lettuce.
• Caesar Dressing- Did you know it only takes 10 minutes to make homemade Caesar salad dressing? Make this buffalo chicken Caesar salad extra special and give my Easy Caesar Dressing recipe a try!
• Croutons- I love making homemade croutons whenever I make Caesar salad. They're super simple to make and will really take your salad to the next level.
• Parmesan Cheese- No Caesar salad is complete without tons of parmesan cheese. I always recommend grating your own cheese at home, both for flavor and cost savings.
• Hot Sauce- My go-to hot sauce for homemade buffalo sauce is Frank's RedHot Sauce. It's a cayenne pepper hot sauce that is spicy without being overwhelming.
• Butter- Homemade buffalo wing sauce uses butter to achieve that rich and decadent flavor. I use unsalted butter since Frank's RedHot Sauce is already quite salty.
• Vinegar- Just a splash of white vinegar in the buffalo sauce marinade helps tenderize the chicken.
• Garlic Powder- Adds a delicious garlic flavor to the buffalo marinated and pairs well with the rest of the flavors in the Caesar salad.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few ways you can try customizing this buffalo chicken Caesar salad recipe to fit your diet and taste preferences.

Substitutions

• Chicken Breast- Swap chicken breast for chicken thighs for a richer, more succulent chicken flavor.
• Romaine Lettuce- Substitute romaine lettuce for any type of green you enjoy. Try spinach, mixed greens, kale, arugula, green leaf lettuce, or iceberg lettuce.
• Caesar Dressing- Blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, or creamy Italian dressing make great Caesar dressing substitutes in this buffalo Caesar salad recipe.
• Croutons- Replace traditional croutons with roasted chickpeas, nuts, or seeds for a tasty alternative.
• Parmesan Cheese- Since this is a buffalo chicken salad, blue cheese is a natural substitute for parmesan cheese. Feta cheese, gorgonzola cheese, or Asiago cheese are also great choices.
• Hot Sauce- Swap Frank's RedHot Sauce for your preferred buffalo wing sauce.
• Butter- Replace the butter with a dairy-free butter alternative, if preferred.
• Vinegar- Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar can be used in place of white vinegar.
• Garlic Powder- Substitute the garlic powder for 3-4 cloves of grated garlic.

Variations

• Gluten-Free- Replace traditional bread croutons with gluten-free croutons. Additionally, ensure that you choose a gluten-free Caesar dressing and gluten-free hot sauce.
• Extra Spicy- Use a spicier hot sauce, such as Frank's RedHot Xtra Hot Sauce, or add a few shakes of cayenne pepper powder.
• Crispy- Coat the chicken breast in breadcrumbs before pan-searing it. Then, toss the cooked, crispy chicken in homemade buffalo sauce.

Equipment Notes

Here are some notes on any special equipment I used to make this recipe.

• Grill- I use a propane gas grill to grill the chicken for this recipe.
• Cast Iron Skillet- If pan-searing the chicken breast, I recommend using a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. It's naturally non-stick and its even heat distribution cooks the chicken to perfection.
• Meat Mallet- A meat mallet is an essential tool for making tender, juicy chicken breast that cooks evenly.
• Meat Thermometer- Using a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken helps you know when it's done cooking.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad

Here is how to make buffalo chicken Caesar salad.

Marinate the Chicken

Step 1: Make the buffalo sauce marinate. Cube the butter and place it in a large, microwave-safe mixing bowl. Heat the butter on HIGH for 30 seconds. Stir, then heat for an additional 30 seconds. Whisk the butter until fully melted. Add the hot sauce, vinegar, and garlic powder to the melted butter and whisk until smooth. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the chicken. Cut the chicken breast into 4 equal-sized pieces, trimming and discarding any excess fat. Lay a piece of plastic wrap over the chicken breasts and pound them into an even, ½-inch thickness.

Step 3: Marinate the chicken. Place the prepared chicken breasts in the bowl of buffalo sauce marinade. Marinate the chicken breast for at least 30 minutes, or for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. The butter will solidity in the marinated - that's okay. It will melt when the chicken is cooked.

Grilling Instructions

Step 4 (Option 1): Grill the chicken. Preheat the grill to 450°F for 15 minutes. Place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill over high, direct heat. Grill for 4-5 minutes per side or until a meat thermometer inserted into the chicken breast reads 165°F. Transfer the chicken breasts to a plate and allow them to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Stovetop Instructions

Step 4 (Option 2): Pan-sear the chicken. Heat a small amount of olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Lay the chicken breasts flat in the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd them. Sear for 4-5 minutes per side or until a meat thermometer reads 165°F. If the sauce begins burning in the skillet, add a small amount of water. Transfer the chicken breasts to a plate and allow them to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Salad Assembly

Step 5: Prepare the lettuce. Chop the romaine lettuce and place it in a large colander. Rinse the lettuce thoroughly under cold, running water to get rid of any dirt and other debris. Dry the lettuce using a salad spinner, a clean tea towel, or paper towels.

Step 6: Assemble the salad. In a large mixing bowl, toss the chopped lettuce with Caesar dressing until well-coated. Top with croutons, parmesan cheese, and cooked buffalo chicken. Serve immediately.

Tips for Success

• Don't skip the chicken prep. I know it's tempting to just toss the chicken breasts in the marinated as-is, but I promise, taking a few extra minutes to prepare them correctly is so worth it. Pounding the chicken breasts not only helps them cook evenly but also tenderizes them.
• Marinate the chicken overnight for the best flavor. The longer you give the chicken to marinate, the more flavor it will absorb. I've found that marinating the chicken the day before cooking yields the best results.
• Use a meat thermometer. A meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of knowing when your chicken is cooked through. No more worrying about overcooking or undercooking your chicken.
• Don't buy pre-chopped lettuce. Lettuce wilts faster and loses a lot of flavor once it's been cut. For the freshest, best buffalo chicken Caesar salad, opt for a head of romaine lettuce instead.
• Assemble just before serving. Nothing is less appealing than soggy lettuce. Wait until you're ready to eat before assembling your hot chicken Caesar salad.

What to Serve With Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad

Buffalo chicken Caesar salad is a filling meal that can be enjoyed as both a main course and a side dish.

A side of sourdough bread or garlic bread is perfect for soaking up any extra dressing or buffalo sauce. Roasted or sautéed vegetables, such as green beans and carrots, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts, are also great side dishes as they balance out the spicy flavors of the buffalo chicken.

Baked potatoes, topped with butter, bacon, sour cream, and chives, make for another satisfying side dish.

Finally, potato wedges, french fries, sweet potato fries, or butternut squash fries are quick, easy, and delicious options to serve alongside your spicy chicken Caesar salad.

Storage and Reheating

If you think you may end up with leftover buffalo chicken Caesar salad, it's best to store the ingredients separately so the lettuce doesn't become wilted.

How to Store

• Dressed Salad- Refrigerate dressed salad leftovers for up to 24 hours, as lettuce becomes unappetizingly wilted beyond that.
• Undressed Salad- Leave the undressed salad if you expect leftovers. Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container with a dry paper towel for up to 3 days.
• Buffalo Chicken Breast- Store leftover buffalo chicken breast separately from the rest of the salad ingredients. Cooked chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How to Reheat

If you prefer warm chicken on your Caesar salad, here are some easy ways to reheat buffalo chicken breast.

• Stovetop- Bring a small amount of water or chicken broth to a simmer in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add sliced buffalo chicken breast to the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for 2-3 minutes or until the chicken is fully warmed through.
• Oven- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the leftover chicken in a baking dish, adding a little bit of chicken broth or water to keep it moist. Cover with foil and bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave- Slice the chicken breast and place it on a microwave-safe plate covered with a damp paper towel. Microwave on HIGH in 30-second intervals until heated through.
• Air Fryer- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Heat for 4-5 minutes or until fully warmed through.

Make Ahead

Preparing some of the salad ingredients beforehand is an excellent way to jumpstart dinner preparation. Here's how:

• Buffalo Chicken Breast- Marinate the chicken breast up to 2 days ahead of time or cook it up to 4 days in advance.
• Caesar Dressing- Homemade Caesar salad dressing can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
• Croutons- Scratch-made croutons will last up to 2 weeks at room temperature when stored in an airtight container.

Frequently Asked Questions

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