Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Buffalo Chicken Salad


photo courtesy of arimoore on flickr

Who doesn't love chicken wings and beer? In our town, we actually have a 'Wing-Off' where the local merchants set up booths in our community centre, fiercely competing to show who has the best wings this side of the GTA. There's nothing fancy (and somewhat off-putting) about eating plates full of wings in the same room teens and sweaty hockey players party. Who knows what's landed on those floors over the years? If only that room could talk (on second thought, some things you don't want to know).

Despite the ambiance and heaps of little bird carcasses mounting higher as the night progresses, I love this tasting ritual. Can't say I have a favourite among the vendors; I guess I'm still missing Ajax's Rack 'em Up wings. Alas, they closed down and I have yet to find a wing to match my expectations.

I even remember when I was first introduced to dipping said wings in blue cheese dressing: Burlington circa 1983 at Houlahan's. Good Stuff.

But who can dine on wings every night and not suffer the consequences? So I held true to these flavours and let them take form of a salad. If you like wings, you'll appreciate this one.


photo courtesy of nadi0 on flickr

Buffalo Chicken Salad

1/4 cup Crumbled Blue Cheese (or more if you like)
1/2 cup Low Fat Ranch Dressing
3 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts - cut in 1" cubes
Salt and Pepper
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1/4 cup Red Hot Sauce (or more if you like it spicy)
1 package salad dressing mix (such as country herb or ranch)
2 Heads Romaine Lettuce
Croutons

In a small bowl, combine blue cheese and ranch dressing. Set aside. Season cubed chicken with salt and pepper. Heat skillet over high heat. Add olive oil. Once oil is heated, add chicken cubes and cook to brown evenly; about 3-5 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add hot sauce and salad dressing mix. Simmer until chicken is cooked through.

Toss together romaine, chicken cubes and ranch dressing mixture in large bowl. Add croutons. Serve with garlic bread and you've got yourself some pub and grub!

7 comments:

  1. Mmmm blue cheese! This sounds so good, I was actually salivating as I read it!

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  2. Oh YUMMMM!!! may have to try this one this weeknend...with a few beers of course!!

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  3. I made this tonight for supper and we all loved it! (I substituted the blue cheese with asiago cheese for the kids and I though) Thanks for all the great recipes you are posting : )

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  4. ...made this for dinner tonight....fantastic, and so easy, and I love that for a weeknight! thanks for the awesome recipe, it's going to be a regular for us for sure!

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  5. Sounds like I'm having Buffalo Chicken Salad this weekend. Between you and my Sensei's blog, I may never have to look for a recipe again. Thanks Tracey!

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