Description
This buffalo chicken recipe with a carrot-blue celery slaw pile offers a satisfying crunch and spicy aroma, making it a perfect hearty and family-friendly meal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts or thighs
- 0.5 cup buffalo sauce
- 0.25 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 3–4 celery stalks
- 0.25 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 0.25 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Poach, bake, or pan-fry 1.5 lbs chicken breasts or thighs in a 10-inch skillet or sheet pan until cooked through and no longer pink (internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C).
- Shred And Sauce Chicken: Once cool enough to handle, use two forks or a stand mixer to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Toss thoroughly with 0.5 cup buffalo sauce until every piece is vibrantly coated.
- Prepare Slaw: Finely chop 3-4 celery stalks. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup shredded carrots, the chopped celery, 0.25 cup blue cheese crumbles, and 0.25 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper until flavors are balanced. If the slaw looks a bit dry, add 1-2 Tbsp more mayo or yogurt to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Assemble Dish: Serve the warm, saucy buffalo chicken piled generously on top of or alongside the creamy and crisp slaw.
Notes
For speed, use rotisserie chicken, pre-cooked frozen chicken, pre-shredded slaw mix, or pre-cut celery. For a lighter slaw, opt for Greek yogurt, low-fat dressing, or olive oil and vinegar. Always use a meat thermometer to prevent overcooked chicken (target 165°F / 74°C). Dress slaw just before serving to maintain its delightful crispness. Store sauces in a cool, dry pantry; refrigerate fresh chicken and veggies for food safety.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 170 g)
- Calories: 450 calories
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: buffalo chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, spicy, chicken, slaw, family-friendly, quick, high-protein, American