Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect BBQ side dish! I love the classic Buffalo Chicken flavors, so adding that into a pasta salad recipe is such a great combo. It’s just the right amount of spice and heat to add to any summertime spread. This Easy Pasta Salad Recipe is so unique and delicious!

Overhead shot of Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect thing to bring to BBQs this summer! There’s just the right amount of heat in this tasty cold pasta dish.

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad has become a favorite pasta salad recipe for me because it features one of my favorite flavors: Buffalo Sauce. I remember the first time I tried it. I’m not a big lover of chicken wings, so I had never tasted the sauce before. I went to a New Years Eve party and someone brought Buffalo Chicken Dip. I tried some and I became a changed woman. To say I was addicted to that dip is an understatement. I’m pretty sure my New Years Eve kiss that year was skipped because I just couldn’t stand to leave the dips side. I pretty much ate the entire thing!

Since I started learning to cook, I have been obsessed with recreating that delicious flavor combo in any way I can! Buffalo Chicken Soup, Blue Cheese Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, Beer Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip. It’s just a match made in culinary heaven!

It was only a matter of time before I added another Buffalo Chicken something or other to my life. I had a hunch that it would mix perfectly with an easy pasta salad recipe, and I was right! This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is so refreshing on a hot day, but that little kick of heat is the perfect balance.

Make this tasty Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad for your next summer BBQ. This easy pasta salad recipe is just too good!

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad with blue cheese crumbles

side view with buffalo chicken pasta salad with blue cheese crumbles

Easy Pasta Salad Recipe

This Easy Pasta Salad recipe is the perfect way to enjoy the spirit of summer!

I love pasta salad in the summer. As good as a hot and fresh pasta dish can be for a nice dinner, when it’s hot outside, you gotta cool things down a bit. I love making easy pasta salad recipes for a simple lunch, or adding it to the mix during an afternoon get together.

The awesome thing about pasta salad is that you can make it ahead of time, let it sit in the refrigerator to cool down, and then it’s ready to go in a flash. And the flavors of everything you put in there really blend together perfectly after it sits for a while. Like a marinade, the longer it’s in the fridge, the more flavorful it gets! So of course this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is so great to keep around as leftovers too.

The Perfect BBQ Side Dish

Pasta salad is the perfect side dish to bring to BBQs, or any summertime party. Not only is it quick and easy to make, but cold pasta salad is just so refreshing on a hot day!

This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad could be eaten as a main dish since it’s filled with protein-rich chicken. But it’s such a tasty side dish and goes so well with all the classic BBQ recipes you can think of. This easy pasta salad recipe should be eaten alongside burgers, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, and all the summertime dishes.

Here are a few more delicious BBQ dishes to add to the menu:

fork in buffalo chicken pasta salad

overhead shot of buffalo chicken pasta salad with green onions and blue cheese

Tips for making Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

This easy pasta salad recipe doesn’t take much work. As long as you cook the pasta and add in the right ingredients, you’ll be good to go! However, I do want to share a few simple tips to help you make the best pasta salad you can.

Tips for How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad:

  • Prepare this pasta salad recipe well ahead of time, so that it’s ready to go as soon as you are.
  • The pasta salad really only needs about 20 minutes to properly cool before serving, However, letting it sit in the fridge a little longer makes it even more flavorful. I like to let pasta salad sit for a good couple of hours sometimes so everything can really blend together and “marinate”.
  • I chose to pile on the blue cheese, but that’s because I’m a lover of all things cheese. Feel free to leave that part off if you’re like Pat and not a big fan. It will be just as delicious!
  • You could cook your own chicken, but for the sake of ease and speed, pick up a pre-made rotisserie chicken at the supermarket. This will be especially helpful if you’re in a time crunch.
  • Don’t be afraid to make a large batch. Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container and you can snack on it for the rest of the week!
  • If you like it hot, add a little extra hot sauce. Something about the heat of the sauce mixed with the cool pasta is the perfect combination.

How to make Homemade Buffalo Sauce

You better believe we’ve got you covered! You can always buy Buffalo Sauce at the store for this recipe, or you can make your own! Here is our favorite Homemade Buffalo Sauce Recipe.

 

fork digging into buffalo chicken pasta salad

If you love the flavor of Buffalo Sauce as much as I do, then you’re really going to love this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad! Make it for lunch or make it for your next summer party and guests will eat it all up. This easy pasta salad recipe is definitely a go-to around here, and I think it will be for you too.

See the recipe card below for details on how to make this easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad recipe. Enjoy!

If you liked this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad, try these other recipes too:

Recipe Card

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

4.48 from 19 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Becky Hardin
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect BBQ side dish! I love the classic Buffalo Chicken flavors, so adding that into a pasta salad recipe is such a great combo. It's just the right amount of spice and heat to add to any summertime spread. This Easy Pasta Salad Recipe is so unique and delicious!
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect BBQ side dish! I love the classic Buffalo Chicken flavors, so adding that into a pasta salad recipe is such a great combo. It's just the right amount of spice and heat to add to any summertime spread. This Easy Pasta Salad Recipe is so unique and delicious!
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Ingredients 

  • 10 ounces bowtie pasta
  • 1/2 cup light ranch
  • 1/2 cup Buffalo Sauce store bought, or click for recipe!
  • 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken chopped
  • 1/4 cup diced celery
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onion
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese optional

Instructions 

  • Prepare pasta according to box instructions, drain, and set aside to cool.
  • Combine all other ingredients and toss with the cooled pasta.
  • Cool in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before serving.
  • Stir and enjoy!

Video

Calories: 625kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 30gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 1470mgPotassium: 379mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 285IUVitamin C: 2.2mgCalcium: 135mgIron: 2.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.48 from 19 votes (17 ratings without comment)
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23 Comments
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nancy
nancy
September 1, 2016 12:18 pm

has anyone made this??

plasterers bristol
plasterers bristol
July 2, 2015 12:44 am

This sounds lovely. Going to give this a go. thanks for sharing this recipe.

Simon

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
July 7, 2015 10:39 am

Thanks so much Simon!

Thalia @ butter and brioche
Thalia @ butter and brioche
April 29, 2015 4:23 pm

I’ve actually never tried “buffalo” anything.. and you definitely make it sound like I need to asap! This pasta salad looks so delicious too.

Nutmeg Nanny
Nutmeg Nanny
April 23, 2015 10:14 pm

The first time I had buffalo chicken dip I was hooked! So totally delicious! Love that you took all that flavor and mixed it up with carbs :)

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 26, 2015 12:11 pm
Reply to  Nutmeg Nanny

HA!!! Yes, give me all the carbs! :)

amanda @ fake ginger
amanda @ fake ginger
April 23, 2015 9:02 pm

I’m pretty sure buffalo chicken dip was the first time I tried buffalo sauce, too! How funny!

Love this pasta salad! Especially with all the blue cheese!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 26, 2015 12:12 pm

Thanks so much Amanda!

Ashley | The Recipe Rebel
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel
April 23, 2015 2:16 pm

I’m still a buffalo chicken… chicken. Lol. But this is the perfect side dish for a summer barbecue! It might even help me get over my fear of hot sauce :D Pinned!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 23, 2015 6:49 pm

I was the same way Ashley!! Thanks for stopping by :)

Heather / girlichef
Heather / girlichef
April 23, 2015 10:43 am

That dip is totally addictive, isn’t it!? I don’t know anybody who doesn’t love it. This pasta salad is a brilliant idea, I know it would disappear at any potluck or picnic!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 23, 2015 6:49 pm

Thanks Heather!!

Kacey @ The Cookie Writer
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer
April 23, 2015 9:32 am

Woohoo! My neighbours bought us a big container of Frank’s Buffalo Wing Sauce so I know where it is going to use. I bet my non-salad loving husband will even enjoy this meal (once again, I am omitting the word “salad.”)

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 23, 2015 10:17 am

I literally have like 3 bottles on hand at all times. hahaha!!! It’s just so good. Thanks for stopping by! (and I agree. Not a salad!)

Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
April 23, 2015 6:28 am

I think we had the same first Buffalo Chicken experience. I don’t like wings, so I never tried it. But, once turned into a food blogger, I had to try it around Super bowl season.
And I died. SO GOOD.
Can’t wait to try this pasta salad! Pinned!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 23, 2015 10:19 am

YES!!! Wings are too messy. No thank you! :) Thanks for stopping by girl!

Malinda @countrysidecravings
Malinda @countrysidecravings
April 22, 2015 11:30 am

I too have never had buffalo chicken anything until this year and I love it!! My husband is a huge fan of buffalo chicken anything and the hotter the better with him. This looks super yummy and can’t wait to try it out!!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 23, 2015 10:20 am

My husband is the same way!! Thanks for stopping by Malinda :)