This Buffalo Chopped Chicken Salad is a fresh and spicy twist on the classic chopped salad, featuring crispy buffalo chicken nuggets and topped with creamy gorgonzola cheese. With crunchy vegetables, ripe avocado, and a hint of buffalo heat, this salad is satisfying, delicious, and perfect for lunch or dinner. Serve it with a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing for extra flavor!
Ingredients:
- Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
- 3 small chicken breasts, cut into nugget-sized pieces
- 1 cup rice crumbs (or panko breadcrumbs)
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- Salad Base
- 2 1/2 cups green leaf or romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 avocado, sliced
- 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
- 2-3 tbsp crumbled gorgonzola cheese
- Optional Garnishes
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish
Instructions:
- Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the rice crumbs with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each chicken nugget in the whisked eggs, then coat with the seasoned rice crumbs. Place the nuggets on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the chicken for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until they are crispy and cooked through.
- Remove the nuggets from the oven and toss them in the buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
- Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, add the chopped lettuce as the base.
- Arrange the cucumber, tomatoes, sliced avocado, and shredded carrots over the lettuce.
- Place the buffalo chicken nuggets on top of the salad.
- Add Toppings and Garnish
- Sprinkle the crumbled gorgonzola cheese over the salad for a creamy contrast.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and red pepper flakes if desired.
- Serve and Enjoy
- Serve the salad immediately, with additional buffalo sauce or a dressing of choice (like ranch or blue cheese) on the side.
Conclusion:
This Buffalo Chopped Chicken Salad combines the spicy kick of buffalo chicken with fresh veggies and the creamy tang of gorgonzola. Perfect for anyone craving a healthier take on buffalo flavors, this salad is as vibrant as it is flavorful. Enjoy it on its own or as a crowd-pleasing addition to any meal.
Buffalo Chopped Chicken Salad with Gorgonzola
A spicy and fresh buffalo chicken salad with crispychicken nuggets, crunchy veggies, creamy avocado, and gorgonzola, all tossed ina delicious, flavor-packed bowl.
Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
- 3 small chicken breasts (cut into nugget-sized pieces)
- 1 cup rice crumbs (or panko breadcrumbs)
- 2 eggs (whisked)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
Salad Base
- 2 1/2 cups green leaf or romaine lettuce (chopped)
- 1/2 cup cucumber (chopped)
- 1/2 cup tomatoes (chopped)
- 1/2 avocado (sliced)
- 1/2 cup carrots (shredded)
- 2-3 tbsp crumbled gorgonzola cheese
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (for garnish)
Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the rice crumbs with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each chicken nugget in the whisked eggs, then coat with the seasoned rice crumbs. Place the nuggets on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the chicken for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until they are crispy and cooked through.
- Remove the nuggets from the oven and toss them in the buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, add the chopped lettuce as the base.
- Arrange the cucumber, tomatoes, sliced avocado, and shredded carrots over the lettuce.
Place the buffalo chicken nuggets on top of the salad.
Add Toppings and Garnish
- Sprinkle the crumbled gorgonzola cheese over the salad for a creamy contrast.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and red pepper flakes if desired.
Serve and Enjoy
- Serve the salad immediately, with additional buffalo sauce or a dressing of choice (like ranch or blue cheese) on the side.