This bold and hearty salad is anything but boring. With crispy oven-baked buffalo ranch chicken, creamy avocado, sharp blue cheese, and a vibrant green goddess dressing made from yogurt and fresh herbs, this dish is perfect for a satisfying lunch or a light but flavorful dinner. It’s a crave-worthy salad that combines heat, crunch, and creaminess in every bite.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1 pound boneless chicken breasts, cutlets, or tenders

• 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade)

• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs

• 1 tbsp dried chives

• 1 tbsp dried parsley

• 2 tsp dried dill

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

• Pinch of kosher salt and black pepper

• Olive oil, for drizzling

For the Salad:

• 2 heads romaine lettuce, shredded

• 4 carrots, shredded

• 4 celery stalks, chopped

• 2 Persian cucumbers, chopped

• 4 radishes, thinly sliced

• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

• 1 avocado, sliced

• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or feta cheese

For the Goddess Dressing:

• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1 cup fresh cilantro

• 1/2 cup fresh basil

• 1 jalapeño, halved and seeded

• Juice from 1 lemon

• Water as needed to thin

Directions

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment.

   • Toss chicken with 2 tbsp of buffalo sauce.

   • In a bowl, combine Panko, chives, parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.

   • Dredge chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere. Place on the baking sheet and drizzle lightly with olive oil.

   • Bake for 15–20 minutes or until crispy and cooked through. Drizzle with the remaining buffalo sauce.

2. Assemble the Salad:

   • In a large bowl, toss romaine, carrots, celery, cucumbers, radishes, and cilantro or parsley.

3. Make the Dressing:

   • Blend yogurt, olive oil, cilantro, basil, jalapeño, and lemon juice until smooth. Add water a tablespoon at a time if needed to reach desired consistency.

4. To Serve:

   • Divide the salad among bowls. Top with crispy chicken, avocado slices, and crumbled cheese.

   • Drizzle with goddess dressing and serve with extra buffalo sauce if desired.

Nutrients (per serving, approx.)

• Calories: 711 kcal

• Protein: High (chicken + Greek yogurt)

• Carbs: Moderate (from veggies and breadcrumbs)

• Fats: Healthy fats from avocado, olive oil, and cheese

• Note: Macros vary slightly depending on cheese choice and amount of dressing used

The Star: Buffalo Ranch Chicken

At the heart of this salad is the oven-baked buffalo ranch chicken—a crispy, flavorful protein that sets the tone for the entire dish. By coating tender chicken cutlets or tenders in a spiced Panko mixture and baking them until golden, this recipe delivers the satisfying crunch of fried chicken without the heaviness or mess of deep-frying. The blend of herbs like chives, dill, parsley, and the punch of garlic and onion powder creates a ranch-inspired flavor profile that pairs perfectly with the heat of the buffalo sauce.

The double dose of buffalo sauce—used both as a marinade and a finishing drizzle—adds a dynamic layer of flavor. It provides just enough heat to be exciting without overwhelming the palate, making it accessible even to those who aren’t huge fans of spicy food.

A Rainbow of Fresh Vegetables

This salad doesn’t stop at bold protein—it’s built on a vibrant medley of vegetables that bring both color and crunch. Shredded romaine lettuce offers a crisp and hydrating base. Carrots and celery—traditional buffalo wing accompaniments—add crunch and a nod to the classic combo. Persian cucumbers and radishes provide refreshing contrast and peppery undertones, while fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley give a burst of brightness.

This wide array of vegetables isn’t just for show—it also delivers a hefty dose of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. These ingredients work together to support digestive health, boost the immune system, and keep you feeling full and energized throughout the day.

Creamy Accents with Avocado and Cheese

Creaminess is essential when balancing spicy or acidic flavors, and this salad nails it with two key additions: avocado and crumbled cheese. The avocado slices offer a buttery, nutrient-dense counterpoint to the zesty chicken. Packed with heart-healthy fats, potassium, and fiber, avocados are not just delicious—they’re incredibly good for you.

Then comes the blue cheese or feta, depending on your flavor preferences. Blue cheese adds a sharp, salty bite that enhances the richness of the buffalo sauce, while feta offers a milder, crumbly texture with tangy undertones. Either option lends the dish a gourmet finish and creates depth of flavor that’s rare in your average weeknight salad.

The Game-Changing Green Goddess Dressing

The final layer of flavor comes from the green goddess dressing, a homemade masterpiece that ties everything together. Made from Greek yogurt, olive oil, fresh herbs, jalapeño, and lemon juice, it’s a lighter take on the traditional creamy dressing. Greek yogurt provides protein and probiotics, while olive oil adds a dose of monounsaturated fats.

The combination of cilantro and basil brings an herbaceous, slightly sweet complexity, and the jalapeño adds a mild kick that complements the buffalo sauce. Lemon juice brightens everything up and enhances the freshness of the vegetables. Blended until smooth and creamy, this dressing becomes the signature finish of the dish—cooling, bold, and irresistible.

A Powerhouse of Nutrition

One of the greatest strengths of this salad is that it’s packed with nutrition without feeling like “health food.” Each serving hovers around 700 calories, with a high protein count from the chicken and yogurt. The carbohydrates come mostly from the vegetables and a light breadcrumb coating on the chicken, while fats are balanced between cheese, avocado, and olive oil.

This combination supports satiety, muscle maintenance, and metabolic health. Thanks to the blend of fiber, protein, and healthy fats, this salad is ideal for anyone looking to maintain energy levels throughout the day or manage hunger between meals. It also fits into a variety of diet styles, including low-carb, high-protein, or Mediterranean-inspired eating.

Perfect for Meal Prep and Leftovers

Not only is this salad a great meal fresh out of the kitchen, but it also holds up well for meal prep. The chicken stays crispy when reheated in the oven or air fryer, and the vegetables can be pre-chopped and stored separately to maintain freshness. The dressing can be made in advance and kept in the fridge for up to a week, making it easy to throw together a delicious, healthy meal on a moment’s notice.

For those who enjoy variety during the week, this recipe is endlessly adaptable. Swap out romaine for kale or arugula, use grilled chicken instead of breaded, or add ingredients like cherry tomatoes, pickled onions, or roasted chickpeas to change the flavor profile. The base is strong enough to handle experimentation while still remaining cohesive and flavorful.

A Dish That Appeals to Everyone

Another benefit of this salad is its universal appeal. It has the comfort and indulgence of your favorite pub-style wings and ranch but presented in a cleaner, more balanced format. This makes it a crowd-pleaser at family dinners, barbecues, or casual get-togethers. Even those who usually scoff at the idea of salad for dinner will be surprised by how filling and satisfying this version is.

Because you can customize the spice level and ingredients, it’s also a safe bet for guests with dietary restrictions. It’s gluten-friendly with a breadcrumb substitution, and can be made dairy-free by skipping the cheese and using a dairy-free yogurt base for the dressing.

Restaurant-Worthy at Home

What sets this salad apart from so many others is the care put into every component. Each ingredient is chosen not just for its flavor, but for how it interacts with the others. The result is a dish that feels restaurant-worthy—elevated in presentation, exciting in taste, and nourishing in composition. It’s the kind of meal that looks just as impressive as it tastes, making it perfect for those who love beautiful, Instagram-worthy food that doesn’t compromise on flavor or nutrition.

Conclusion

In the world of salads, the buffalo ranch chicken salad with green goddess dressing stands tall as a bold, balanced, and utterly delicious creation. It’s everything a modern meal should be: fast, flexible, nutritionally balanced, and full of flavor. Whether you’re looking to elevate your lunch game, feed your family something they’ll actually be excited to eat, or impress guests without breaking a sweat, this recipe delivers on all fronts.

It’s a celebration of contrasts—crispy and creamy, spicy and cool, hearty and fresh. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or bland. With just a little effort and a handful of quality ingredients, you can transform a typical salad into a crave-worthy experience that nourishes both body and soul.