This buffalo chicken caesar salad is a quick and easy meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or healthy lunch. It is made with simple ingredients including arugula, roasted potatoes, crispy gluten free chicken tenders, red onion, turkey bacon, and Caesar dressing. The salad is packed with greens and nutrients.
This recipe is gluten free, and can be made dairy free by simply using a dairy free caesar dressing. This salad can be made low fat by using lite Caesar dressing. It can be made lower carb by using grilled chicken.
why you’ll love this recipe
- Easy to Make: This single serve buffalo chicken caesar salad is easy to make because it only requires a few simple ingredients and can be cooked in the air fryer in 15 minutes or less.
- Minimal Ingredients: The ingredients for this salad are simple and common: arugula, roasted potatoes, crispy gluten free chicken tenders, red onion, turkey bacon, and Caesar dressing.
- Packed with Greens: This Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad is packed with greens, making it a healthy and satisfying meal or side dish.
- Easy to Meal Prep: To make this salad even easier, you can meal prep the components ahead of time. Simply cook the bacon, potatoes, and chicken in the air fryer and chop the arugula, red onion, and turkey bacon. Then, when you’re ready to eat, simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and toss with Caesar dressing.
- Quick Weeknight Dinner or Healthy Lunch: This salad is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or healthy lunch. It’s easy to make, packed with nutrients, and satisfying.
- Gluten Free and Fat Free: This salad is gluten free and can be fat free by using fat-free turkey bacon and Caesar dressing.
ingredients & substitutions
Arugula
Arugula is a type of leafy green that is known for its peppery flavor. It is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as calcium and iron. Arugula is used in this recipe to add flavor and nutrients to the salad.
If you don’t have arugula, you can substitute another type of leafy green, such as spinach, kale, or romaine lettuce in this Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad.
Roasted Potatoes
Roasted potatoes are a delicious and healthy addition to this salad. They add a bit of starchiness and texture to the dish.
If you don’t have roasted potatoes, you can substitute another type of crunch such as french fries or gluten free croutons in this Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad.
Crispy Gluten Free Chicken Tenders
Crispy gluten free chicken tenders are the protein source in this salad. They add a bit of spice and flavor to the dish.
If you don’t have crispy gluten free chicken tenders, you can substitute another type of cooked chicken, such as grilled chicken or shredded chicken. You can also make your own chicken cutlets at home with gluten free breadcrumbs.
Red Onion
Red onion adds a bit of sharpness and flavor to this salad. It also adds a bit of crunch.
If you don’t have red onion, you can substitute white onion or yellow onion. You can also omit the onion altogether.
Turkey Bacon
Turkey bacon adds a bit of saltiness and flavor to this Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad. It also adds a bit of protein.
If you don’t have turkey bacon, you can substitute regular bacon or omit the bacon altogether.
Dressing
You can use caesar dressing, lite caesar dressing or dairy free caesar dressing in this Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad.
Substitution:
If you don’t have Caesar dressing, you can substitute another type of dressing, such as ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or vinaigrette dressing. You can also make your own dressing by combining sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
taste & texture
This Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad has a peppery flavor from the arugula, a creamy texture from the Caesar dressing, and a crispy texture from the roasted potatoes and crispy gluten free chicken tenders. The red onion adds a bit of sharpness, and the turkey bacon adds a bit of saltiness.
directions
Step 1
Cook the bacon, potatoes, and chicken in the air fryer until fully cooked and crispy. Set aside. Cook the potatoes last so they are the warmest when building the salad.
Step 2
While the bacon, potatoes, and chicken are cooking, add the arugula, red onion, and turkey bacon to a cutting board. Chop into fine pieces.
Step 3
Add the arugula, bacon and onion into a bowl.
Step 4
Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and toss with buffalo sauce.
Step 5
Top the salad with roasted potatoes and crispy gluten free chicken tenders. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss to coat.
expert tips & tricks
- For a spicier Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad, use your more hot sauce or mix more hot sauce into your dressing.
- Add other toppings to your liking, such as crumbled blue cheese, sliced avocado, or chopped hard-boiled eggs.
- To make a larger batch of this salad, simply multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need.
how to make this lower carb
To make this Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad low carb, you can omit the roasted potatoes and use grilled chicken or shredded chicken instead!
how to make this low fat or healthier
To make this Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad low fat, you can use fat-free Caesar dressing, and omit the oil when roasting the potatoes.
how to make this vegan
To make this Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad vegan, you can omit the turkey bacon or use vegan bacon. Use vegan chicken tenders and vegan Caesar dressing.
how to serve, store and meal prep
Serving:
This Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad can be served immediately after it is made. It can be served as a main course or a side dish.
Storing:
This Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. To store the salad, place it in an airtight container. Keep the dressing on the side until you are ready to eat.
Meal Prep:
To meal prep the Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad, simply make the salad and divide it into individual containers. The salad can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing on the side until you are ready to eat.
How to Prepare It Beforehand
To prepare this Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad beforehand, simply chop the arugula, red onion, and turkey bacon and cook the potatoes and chicken tenders. The salad can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you are ready to eat, simply add the arugula, red onion, turkey bacon, and Caesar dressing to the bowl with the potatoes and chicken tenders. Toss to coat and enjoy!
you may also like
Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped arugula
- 1/2 cup roasted potatoes
- 1/4 cup crispy gluten free chicken tenders
- 1 tablespoon chopped red onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped turkey bacon
- 2 tablespoons Caesar dressing You can also make your own dressing by combining sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook the bacon, potatoes, and chicken in the air fryer until fully cooked and crispy. Set aside. Cook the potatoes last so they are the warmest when building the salad.
- While the bacon, potatoes, and chicken are cooking, add the arugula, red onion, and turkey bacon to a cutting board.
- Chop into fine pieces.
- Add the arugula, bacon and onion into a bowl.
- Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and toss with buffalo sauce.
- Top the salad with roasted potatoes and crispy gluten free chicken tenders.
- Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Leave a Reply