Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This pasta salad is the ultimate comfort food with a healthy twist. The tender shredded chicken pairs perfectly with the creamy blue cheese dressing and spicy buffalo sauce, making every bite flavorful and satisfying. The addition of crunchy veggies like carrots, celery, and bell pepper brings freshness and texture to the dish, while the blue cheese crumbles add a rich, tangy depth of flavor. With vibrant herbs like dill and parsley, this salad is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, making it a great meal or side dish for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces fusilli pasta (dry/uncooked)
• 3 packed cups shredded chicken (12 ounces)
• 1 cup shredded carrots (95 grams)
• 1 cup diced celery (120 grams)
• 1 cup diced bell pepper (130 grams)
• ¾ cup blue cheese dressing
• ½ cup blue cheese crumbles (2 ounces)
• ¼ cup hot sauce
• ¼ cup dill, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup parsley, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional toppings: green onions, hot sauce

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta down. Set aside.
2. Prepare the ingredients: While the pasta is cooking, shred the chicken, dice the celery, bell pepper, and shred the carrots. Chop the dill and parsley and set aside.
3. Make the buffalo dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the blue cheese dressing, hot sauce, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.
4. Assemble the salad: Add the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, carrots, celery, bell pepper, dill, and parsley to the mixing bowl with the dressing. Toss everything together until the pasta and veggies are evenly coated with the buffalo dressing.
5. Add the blue cheese: Gently fold in the blue cheese crumbles, making sure not to break them up too much.
6. Serve and garnish: Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or hot sauce as needed. Top with optional green onions or extra hot sauce for a little extra kick.
7. Chill and serve: If you have time, refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 4-6
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes

Variations

• Spicy Option: For an extra spicy version, increase the amount of hot sauce or add diced jalapeños to the salad.
• Dairy-Free: To make this salad dairy-free, use a dairy-free dressing and swap the blue cheese crumbles for a dairy-free cheese alternative or simply omit the cheese.
• Vegetarian Option: Skip the chicken and replace it with chickpeas or another plant-based protein for a vegetarian version of this dish.
• Add More Veggies: You can add other vegetables like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, or avocado to the salad for additional flavor and texture.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The salad may become a little more saucy as it sits, so you can add a little more blue cheese dressing or hot sauce if desired before serving.
• Reheating: This salad is best served cold, but you can reheat individual portions in the microwave if preferred.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can use any type of pasta you like! Penne, rotini, or bowtie pasta would all work well in this salad.

2. Can I use cooked chicken from a rotisserie?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut and works perfectly in this salad. Just shred the meat and add it to the salad.

3. Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, this salad can be made up to a day in advance. Just keep it refrigerated, and it will allow the flavors to develop even more.

4. Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free pasta. Make sure to check the ingredients in your blue cheese dressing and hot sauce to ensure they are gluten-free as well.

5. Can I make this recipe spicier?

Yes, you can add extra hot sauce or even include chopped jalapeños to give it more heat.

6. Can I use a different dressing instead of blue cheese?

If you don’t like blue cheese, you can substitute with ranch dressing, but it won’t have the same buffalo wing flavor. Alternatively, use a yogurt-based dressing for a lighter option.

7. Can I freeze the pasta salad?

It’s not recommended to freeze this pasta salad, as the texture of the vegetables and dressing may change once thawed.

8. Can I skip the blue cheese crumbles?

Yes, you can skip the blue cheese crumbles if you prefer or replace them with a different cheese such as feta or goat cheese.

9. How can I make this recipe lower in calories?

To make this salad lower in calories, use a lighter blue cheese dressing or swap the blue cheese crumbles for a lower-calorie option like crumbled feta or omit the cheese altogether.

Conclusion

This Healthy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese is a flavorful, fun, and healthy twist on traditional pasta salads. Packed with lean protein, crunchy vegetables, and a spicy buffalo kick, it’s the perfect dish for meal prep or a casual meal. Whether you enjoy it on its own or paired with your favorite side, this pasta salad will become a go-to recipe for its bold flavors and refreshing taste. Enjoy!

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