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gluten-free lunch paleo salads

Buffalo Chicken Salad

August 17, 2018

This Buffalo Chicken Salad is a simple, easy and healthy lunch recipe made with organic shredded chicken, celery and a zesty paleo buffalo sauce. Perfect in a sandwich or on a celery log, this salad is loved by kids and adults alike!

Back-to-school is in the air! I know you all know that feeling. Even if it’s been 5 years since I’ve gone back to school (HOW has it been that long?!) there’s still a feeling of excitement and borderline nervousness that comes with the start of September.

I may or may not have treated myself to a little back-to-school shopping spree. What should I wear on the first day?! LOLz we all know I wear lulus everyday.

But for those of you who are heading back-to-school this year, the blogging ladies have got you covered with 5 Healthy Back-To-School Recipes. We’re also helping you get the year off to a healthy start with an UNREAL prize-pack giveaway from Udi’s Gluten-Free foods!

I took on the task of an easy, healthy, kid-friendly lunch because lunch by far is the meal I struggle with most. Even though I’m usually home for lunch, I rarely take the time to put something together and sit down to eat it. This Buffalo Chicken Salad was the simplest recipe ever and tasted amazing! One day I had it on Udi’s Gluten-Free Ancient Grain Bread and another day I had it on celery sticks to up my veggies and some Ancient Grain chips on the side. It was perfection and actually led to be sitting down and eating a proper lunch. HUZZAH!

RELATEDAvocado Tuna Salad

How To Make Buffalo Chicken Salad

Let’s chat about this sandwich, or buffalo chicken salad on a log if you prefer! We’ve talked before about how I’m a diva when it comes to lunch. I’ll slave away for hours on breakfast or dinner but lunch needs to be the most convenient meal possible or else it’s just gonna be popcorn, avocado and eggs (I wish I were kidding).

A simple, easy and healthy lunch recipe made with organic shredded chicken, celery and a zesty paleo buffalo sauce. Perfect in a sandwich or on a celery log, this salad is loved by kids and adults alike!

If you’ve already got some leftover chicken on hand, this recipe takes less than 5 minutes to make. It can also be tailored to your spice level too.

In a rare turn of events I went light on the spice (you’re welcome), but if you’re anything like me when it comes to spiciness, feel free to go heavy-handed. Also it turns out Frank’s Red Hot is paleo and actually pretty descent in terms of its ingredients. Not that it’s ever stopped me from using it.

I think life’s greatest debate is Franks vs. Sriracha vs. Cholula. Almost as challenging as picking your favourite recipe in this post. Good luck with that…

Print

Buffalo Chicken Salad

This Buffalo Chicken Salad is a simple, easy and healthy lunch recipe made with organic shredded chicken, celery and a zesty paleo buffalo sauce. Perfect in a sandwich or on a celery log, this salad is loved by kids and adults alike!

  • Author: Davida Lederle
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 8 oz chicken breasts (16 ounces total), cooked and shredded*
  • 2 stalks of celery, chopped
  • 2 green onions ( whites and light green only), chopped
  • 2 T hot sauce (I used Franks Red Hot)
  • 1 T butter, melted
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • salt and pepper, to taste

To Serve:

  • Bread (I like Udi’s Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bread)
  • Celery, chopped into thirds

Instructions

  1. Combine chicken, celery and onion in a large bowl.
  2. In a separate bowl combine all other ingredients.
  3. Add wet ingredients to chicken and mix well.
  4. Top on bread or celery, as desired.
  5. Will keep for several days in an airtight container in the fridge.

*I cook my chicken in a slow cooker on high heat for 2-3 hours with 1/2 cup water.

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  • Reply
    Sharon Wade
    January 5, 2023 at 9:09 pm

    I just made this the other day and it was so delicious. I used a bottle of pesto that I substituted for the hot sauce. It is going to be on repeat in my house.

    Thanks again!

  • Reply
    Haley
    February 21, 2019 at 9:36 am

    That looks delicious and like the perfect meal for a picnic.

  • Reply
    Connor James Risberg
    February 2, 2019 at 12:18 pm

    Does the recipe call for 2 chicken breast both 8 oz. meaning you need a total of 16 oz. Or is it saying that the 2 chicken breast should equal a total of 8 oz?

    • Reply
      Davida @ The Healthy Maven
      February 3, 2019 at 3:02 pm

      Hi Connor – it should be 2 8 oz chicken breasts or 16 oz total. Thanks for clarifying. Best wishes – Davida

  • Reply
    monali
    March 12, 2018 at 7:24 am

    thank you so much for sharing this reciepe…i would like to try this one

  • Reply
    Debbie
    September 28, 2015 at 8:29 pm

    Thank You!

  • Reply
    Debbie
    September 26, 2015 at 9:56 pm

    Please email me your Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe. The link is titled this, but is an applesauce recipe instead of your salad!
    Thank You!
    Debbie Davis

    • Reply
      Davida Kugelmass
      September 27, 2015 at 8:56 am

      Hi Debbie! I’m so sorry about that. Must have gotten swapped with another recipe! It should be fixed now 🙂 Enjoy!

  • Reply
    Gail @ Rese Activewear
    August 19, 2015 at 12:07 am

    I’m loving that you all teamed up to do these recipes, they all look so good. I do things in my slow cooker all the time and this sounds amazing. I never would have thought to do the chicken on a celery stick but you can bet I will be trying this. Great idea.

    • Reply
      Davida Kugelmass
      August 19, 2015 at 11:39 am

      Awesome! I hope you enjoy, Gail!

  • Reply
    Whitney @ To Live & Diet in L.A.
    August 17, 2015 at 2:41 pm

    What a simple delicious recipe! I’ve been looking for a great recipe to use my slow-cooker for and this is it! My hubby loves hot sauce so he will be very grateful. Love the idea of putting it on celery sticks for a high-protein, low-carb snack too!

    • Reply
      Davida Kugelmass
      August 18, 2015 at 7:59 am

      Your hubs and I are co-members of HSA (Hot Sauce Anonymous haha). He’s got good taste 😉

  • Reply
    Dani @ Dani California Cooks
    August 17, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    Yum! I love prepared salads of all kinds – egg salads, chicken salad, tuna salad. My co-workers joke that they can predict what I’ll order off a menu if there is tuna on it.

    • Reply
      Davida Kugelmass
      August 18, 2015 at 7:57 am

      I’m so predictable too! If there’s a salad, I’ll probably order it!

  • Reply
    Niki @ Life With Niki
    August 17, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    Love the versatility of this recipe, and love the way you stacked the sandwich ;)! All of your recipes look perfect for back to school!

    • Reply
      Davida Kugelmass
      August 18, 2015 at 7:57 am

      Thanks lady!

  • Reply
    Emily @ Sinful Nutrition
    August 17, 2015 at 8:30 am

    We both must have been on the same wavelength today! I posted a gluten free chicken salad AND giveaway today too! 😀

    • Reply
      Davida Kugelmass
      August 18, 2015 at 7:56 am

      Love when that happens! I like the way you think 😉

  • Reply
    Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
    August 17, 2015 at 7:41 am

    I could actually eat buffalo chicken every.single.day of my life! And with how versatile this salad is, I actually CAN! I think I just found my lunch! Pinned!

    • Reply
      Davida Kugelmass
      August 18, 2015 at 7:56 am

      Tradesies! I’d take your Avocado Spread Sammie anyday!

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