Bold, creamy, and just the right amount of spicy, this buffalo chicken pasta salad is a crowd-pleasing summer side or main that comes together fast with simple ingredients.
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Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
You know those recipe ideas that sound a little wild at first, but end up being total genius? This is one of them. Buffalo chicken pasta salad combines two favorites, crockpot buffalo chicken and pasta salad, into one irresistible summer meal.
The flavor hits all the right notes: tangy buffalo sauce, creamy, cool ranch dressing and even a little sweet from carrots. It’s a great choice year-round, but especially in the summer when you want something you can prep ahead to bring to a BBQ and serve cold.
Save my baked buffalo chicken dip for game day, this one’s made for sunny weekends and backyard cookouts.
Recipe Tips
- Cool your pasta before mixing so the sauce stays creamy.
- Rotini holds the dressing well, but penne or bowtie work too.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut or make shredded chicken.
- Adjust the spice to your liking, start small and add more buffalo sauce to taste.
Variations
- No blue cheese? Swap in mozzarella or cheddar.
- Gluten-free? Just sub with GF pasta—rotini, penne, or elbows all work.
- Make it vegetarian by skipping the chicken and adding extra veggies like bell pepper or tomato.
- Serving to kids? Leave out the hot sauce and toss with ranch only.
Make-Ahead Friendly
This buffalo chicken pasta salad is perfect for prepping the night before. Since it’s served cold, you can cook the pasta, chop the veggies, and have everything ready in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just toss everything together with the ranch dressing.
Storage Instructions
Since this is a creamy pasta salad made with ranch, it will need to be kept refrigerated in an airtight container. It holds up very well and will stay fresh for up to 3 days. The carrots and celery stay crispy and crunchy, while the sauce remains thick and flavorful. No soggy vegetables or watery sauce! Just make sure to give it a big stir before enjoying.
Love recipes with a hint of spice? Try my baked buffalo cauliflower recipe, Instant Pot buffalo chicken dip or bang bang shrimp with pasta!
More Pasta Salad Recipes
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups rotini pasta , cooked to al dente and chilled
- 1 chicken breast , cooked and shredded (about 1 cup)
- 4 stalks celery , chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 2 Tablespoons buffalo sauce , more to taste (I used Frank's Red Hot)
- 2 Tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
- Mix together the ranch, blue cheese and buffalo sauce in a small bowl and set aside. Test the spiciness of the dressing and add more hot sauce to taste.
- Toss the cooked and cooled rotini, shredded chicken, celery and carrots together in a large bowl.
- Pour dressing over the pasta and stir until evenly coated.
- Divide into bowls and serve!
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Amanda N
I added salad dressing and buffalo sauce to taste, and lots of it! One of our favorite summer salads.
I Heart Naptime
That sounds delicious! This salad is a fun favorite!
Amanda
So easy and delicious
April
I actually changed this recipe because we don’t like celery and I don’t like bleu cheese, but I thought I’d leave a comment to thank you for the base recipe! Instead of carrots and celery, I used broccoli slaw. And instead of bleu cheese I used goat cheese. It was fabulous! Thanks!
Jamielyn Nye
So glad the substitutions worked well for you!
Izzy
Pasta salad and buffalo chicken are definitely a cautious combination to try, but you really can’t argue with such a delicious result!
Beth
Only 7 ingredients and 2 steps later and I’ll have a fabulous salad? Sign me up!! I eat salads all year long, so I won’t be waiting for a BBQ to enjoy this recipe!
CC
I have absolutely no idea how I stumbled upon this recipe but I am so glad I did! I made two small changes – I skipped the carrots which I do not like and then I doused the shredded chicken with Frank’s Red Hot and let it sit for about an hour before combining all. This is seriously SO GOOD! Looking forward to trying more of your recipes!
Jamielyn Nye
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a comment and review. :)
Stacy
Love this pasta salad! It’s a keeper for my family! We don’t always have blue cheese and it’s still good without it.
Jamielyn Nye
I’m glad to hear your family loves this pasta salad! Thanks for leaving a comment and review Stacy!
Becky Hardin
So delicious!! Can’t wait to make this for my family.
Jennifer
I will be making this pasta salad this weekend!
Katerina @ diethood .com
YUM!! The perfect weeknight meal!! I love the flavors!!
Rachael Yerkes
New favorite lunch! Soooo good!
Kristyn
YUM!!! We love buffalo chicken & adding it in a pasta is good! Perfect as a side or even your meal!
Sara
Just made this and it was excellent!!!! It will be the star of the pot luck. Thanks for this recipe. It’s a keeper!
Jamielyn
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for your comment and review Sara! :)
Hollyn
Pop what would you use instead of blue cheese?? I love blue cheese but my hubby n kids don’t! Crumbled mozzarella??
Jamielyn
I think feta or crumbled mozzarella would be delicious! :)
Coleen
What a great dish to bring to a BBQ! Can’t wait to try it out!
Michelle
Everything in this sounds amazing! Perfect recipe to try for summer!
Brenda P
The MSG in ranch sauce doesn’t sit well with me. I’m guessing it would be just as good with Blue Cheese dressing? Or, maybe try it with Greek yogurt?
Jamielyn
Hi Brenda! I’m sure it would work great with either of those, it will just have a slightly different taste! :)
Sarah
This looks incredible! I LOVE buffalo chicken pizza… will have to give this a try!! :)