Buffalo Chicken + Blue Cheese Guacamole and Crunchy Baked Onion Ring Salad.
Some days just need a little Buffalo Sauce.
Ok, maybe a lot of buffalo sauce and a little blue cheese, because I am a blue cheese freak.
I know some of you may not be blue cheese lovers, but over here it’s the bomb. If you’re not a fan, I am sorry, just swap it for cheddar or goat cheese, but in my opinion buffalo sauce always needs a little blue cheese to accompany it. Always.
How do you guys feel about onion rings though?
My family use to say they hated them, so I just assumed I did too.
Well, what the heck was I thinking. Onion rings are awesome, and I spent nineteen years of my life thinking they were gross. Thanks a lot mom and dad. They are not gross and when they are baked to a crunchy perfection they make the perfect snack.
That became apparent the other day when my eldest brother Creighton walked in the door and literally starting mowing these. I mean, like he could not eat them fast enough.
But he does eat like it is his job. No literally he does. I have never met a person who loves food so much. I feel like he is always eating, at times I wonder if he ever gets full. I think I have come to the conclusion that he just does not get full. Like at all. And man, do not even come near him after he works out unless you have food. Workouts mean he actually did something other than eat, which then makes him ravenous.
It is scary.
But I gotta love him because he is always pumped on whatever I am making.
Unless of course it is salad.
That would mean he would be eating something without meat and that is just not even an option in his brain. Yeah, he is one of those, “its gotta have meat in it” dudes. No meat, no game.
FYI, it is getting a little old.
Give the guy some color please!
So I compromised.
Buffalo chicken is always a good compromise, and I got the kid (err more like grown man) to eat something green, something red and something orange.
Yay! Everyone can thank me for saving him from a heart attack. Just sayin.
Ok, wait. That makes it sound like he is un-healthy. He’s not, promise. But he really does eat too much meat.
Anyway, since Creigh is only here for a little while longer. (he is doing this whole month-long Christmas Vacay thing – I kind of wish I was doing the same) I feel like I have to make some of his favorites.
And onion rings are one of his favorites. Of course, he is totally used to the fried ones so I was a little wary of what he would think of these, but it was apparent by the mowing he did within thirty seconds of walking through the door that he still loved um. Sweet!
I just improved his diet immensely. My mom should totally be thanking me for this.
Oh and this salad?
It is totally worthy of that big thing coming up that starts with Super and ends with Bowl. I know I am a tad early to the Superbowl frenzy, but football food is good, and this is healthified football.
One last thing. Do not skip this blue cheese guacamole. Just don’t. It works with these flavors like no other. So good.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Buffalo Chicken and Crunchy Baked Onion Ring Salad with Blue Cheese.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: blue cheese, buffalo, buffalo salad, onion rings, salad
It is totally worthy of that big thing coming up that starts with Super and ends with Bowl. I know I am a tad early to the Superbowl frenzy, but football food is good, and this is healthified football.
Ingredients
Chicken + Onion Rings
- 4 smallish chicken breast cut into strips
- 2 inch large sweet onions cut into 1/2 slices
- 1 1/2 cups butter milk
- 1-1 1/2 cups + 2 tablespoons [buffalo wing sauce | https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/blue-cheese-guacamole-stuffed-mushrooms-with-buffalo-sauce/] + more for drizzling
- 1 1/4 cups panko bread crumbs
- 1 1/4 cups cornmeal
- 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- a good pinch of salt and pepper
Salad
- 8-12 cups butter lettuce chopped
- 1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes halved
- 2 carrots sliced into matchsticks
- 6 green onions sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro or parsley
- 1 batch [blue cheese guacamole | https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/blue-cheese-guacamole-stuffed-mushrooms-with-buffalo-sauce/] regular guacamole or mashed avocado
- crumbled blue cheese for topping
Super Quick Greek Yogurt Ranch
- 3/4 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon dried chives
- 1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne optional
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika optional
Instructions
-
To make the dressing. In small bowl mix together the greek yogurt, parsley, chives, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Add the cayenne and smoked paprika if using. Mix well and if needed, thin with 1 or two tablespoons of buttermilk. Place in the fridge until ready to use.
-
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or a silpat.
-
Add the chicken to a large bowl and pour half the buttermilk (about 3/4 cup) overtop. Mix well and set aside. Add the remaining buttermilk to a bowl and set aside. Place the flour in a sealable plastic bag, then add onions, and shake to coat. Set aside.
-
In a shallow pie dish or large bowl add the panko, cornmeal, cayenne and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well.
-
Now grab the bag of onions. Shake off the excess flour and dip the onions 1 at a time into the buttermilk, then dip into bread crumbs and place on a baking sheet. Spray oil evenly over rings and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until coating is crisp flipping half way through. Season with salt, to taste. Set aside, but keep warm.
-
Meanwhile make the chicken. Remove each piece of chicken from the buttermilk, and dredge through the the remaining crumbs, pressing gently to adhere. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all the chicken has been used. Make sure not to crowd your pan, if necessary use two baking sheets. Spray each chicken "wing" with non-stick spray or a mist of olive oil.
-
Bake for 10-12 minutes, then gently flip using kitchen tongs and spray the other side. Bake for 10-12 minutes more, then remove from oven. Reduce the oven to 400 degrees F.
-
Gently toss each piece of chicken in the 1/2 cup of buffalo sauce, draining the excess sauce back into the bowl. Place the chicken back on the pan and repeat until all the chicken is coated in the sauce. Place both the onion rings and chicken back in the oven for 5 minutes just to re-warm.
-
Meanwhile add the lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, green onions and cilantro leaves to a large bowl and toss well. Divide the salad among four large plates or salad bowls. Top each plate with chicken and onion rings. Dollop with blue cheese guacamole and sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles. Drizzle on the ranch and buffalo sauce as desired. EAT.
This is the kind of salad that I like to think is the ultimate “score”!
Just one look at this and I knew it was what I am making for Super Bowl Sunday! It’s everything we already have, all in one! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Thanks Elaine!! I really hope you love it! Let me know! 🙂
This is a hubby-pleasing salad if I ever saw one! Like your brother, my hubby is “no meat, no eat” kinda guy. I LOVE salads but never get to eat them for this reason. I think I may be able to sneak this one by him though. Thanks! A definite must pin 🙂
Thanks taylor!
Hope you guys love this one and yeah, it is a guys approved salad!
Onion rings rule! And baked onion rings are the best. This is definitely a husband pleasing meal.
Thanks Norma!
Right now, I am ravenous for this salad for breakfast! Love, love, love this one, Tieghan! You ROCK, girl. And, your brother is very lucky to have you to feed him. LOL! Thanks for sharing, girl. Pinned!
HEhe!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Stacy!! Hope you are doing awesome!
This is right up my alley! Can’t wait to make this!
Thanks Kathy!! I really hope you love it!
Haaa, I blame my family for things all the time too. Or think I hate something simply because I never had it growing up (ex: meatloaf). It’s pretty hilarious.
And Connor is sort of like your brother. He eats (or wishes he could) all day long. And gets hungry 10 minutes after a meal. This salad is beautiful! So many creative components.
Haha. Meatloaf? Yeah, I have still never eaten meatloaf. Should I?
Looks like my kind of salad. That chicken looks perfectly moist and delicious. Mmmm. I’m sure I could my hubby to eat this salad! Pinning for later. 🙂
Have a great day Tieghan!
Thanks Melanie!! This is a guy approved salad!
Whoa, you had me at buffalo and guacamole! Your salads should have their own category, they look so good!
Thank you so much, Mary! All salads need to be loaded in my opinion!
So I think I’m gonna make this for superbowl sunday, because the greens will make all the other football foods on top more balanced!
YAY! Hope you love it! Thanks Steph!
Now THIS is a salad that could fill you up for DAYS! It is beautifiul and actually good for you! YUMMMMMMM! This could be dubbed the Superbowl Salad!! And it’s in a BOWL, LOL!
Thanks Sophia!! It is a Superbowl Salad for sure!
This looks so good! I want to plant my face in it! Huge blue cheese fan over here, so I’m right there with ya!
Thanks Leah! YAY for blue cheese lovers!
Love blue cheese! Love onion rings! This is my kind of salad 🙂
Thanks Liz! Gotta love blue cheese!
My husband will go nuts over this salad! Onion rings on a salad? Yes please! Love this
Thanks Chelsea!
girrrl it’s about time you got on the onion ring train – they’re the bomb! and so is your obsession with buffalo, because I share it in spades!
Seriously! They totally are!
Thanks Christine!
I have always loved onion rings but they have to perfectly crispy and not fall off the onions. I will def be trying your baked version.. this salad is right up my alley, thanks for sharing..
Thanks Dixya! Hope you love the baked version!
I am a blue cheese lover. It’s one of my favorite, and I add it to my salads whenever I have it on hand.
Blue cheese an salads is a great combo!
Never mind football, I want to make this for my next girl’s night in! Fabulous recipe.
Thank you, Aimee! I feel like this is just the perfect all around, all year, guys or girls salad! 🙂
I absolutely love your love for buffalo sauce! I need to much on this salad today. And every day. YUM!
Gotta love buffalo sauce! 🙂
Thanks Julia!
If there is ever such a thing as a Football Watchin’ Salad, its that. Looks sooo fantastic!
I know, right?! It is the perfect game day salad. All it needs it some beer somewhere!
Ditto what Jackie said!! Perfect for football watching!
Thanks, Lauren!!
Dannnggg that salad looks off the chain delicious! Love me buffalo chicken anything 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
So funny how family likes and dislikes can shape your own. I thought I didn’t like sushi or oysters for the longest time because my parents didn’t like them (and actually my mom thought she didn’t like oysters because my dad didn’t like them and she loves them now). I can’t get enough of either one now! And I also love me some buffalo sauce and blue cheese. Great dish!
I know, it is crazy! YOu just have to try something yourself before you write it off.
Thanks Megan!
I want this salad. Right now, and every day! It is full of everything delicious in the world!
Thank you so much, Cate!
This looks fabulous, Tieghan!!!
Thank you so much, Robyn!
The salad, the onion rings – this is absolute perfection!
I loved the onion rings! 🙂
Seriously this is the salad dreams are made of. Put me in front of that and it won’t last long!
Thanks Katrina!
I ate around the tomatoes & carrots, sorry to say. The onion rings were a special bonus tho!!
You are weird.
Goodness gracious, I need this salad!!
It was one of my favorites yet!
Thanks Brenda!
I think my dreams just came true. Or they will when I eat this.
Ha! Thanks so much!
This was DELICIOUS. The onion rings are GENIUS, with the combo of cornmeal & panko; I was meticulous breading them so it took a long time but was worth every bit of effort. I baked them for a good 10 minutes longer than called for so they were super-crisp. The chicken was tender & tasty w/ the buffalo sauce just drizzled on top. I added chopped celery to the salad and omitted the carrots. The fresh parsley (and dill that I tossed in) added a bright note that I loved. Instead of making blue cheese guacamole we just sliced the avo and crumbled the blue cheese on top.
We’ll happily make this again. It was fabulous! Thanks for sharing your genius recipe!
So happy you loved this, thank you!!
Hey Teighan – sorry, you may have answered this already but I haven’t read all the comments. Do you think I could pre-make and bake the onions and chicken (minus the buffalo sauce) the night before and then bake them at a lower temp for a little longer the next night to heat them back up and be ready to serve?
Hey Ashley! I think that will work great! Hope you love this salad and let me know if you have any other questions.