Buttery Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad: High Protein

August 18, 2026

High Protein Buffalo Chicken Salad (aka Nashville Hot Chicken Salad)

Meal prep doesn't have to be boring. Most "high protein" recipes taste like a punishment. This one doesn't. Smoky, buttery, buffalo-spiced, and packed with protein - this is the chicken salad that makes eating well feel like cheating.

Why This Recipe Works: Buttery Buffalo Ranch does double duty here - it seasons the chicken before it ever hits the smoker, then goes back in again to build layers of flavor in the salad itself. That's what separates this from a basic mayo-and-hot-sauce chicken salad. Every bite has that buttery, ranch-forward heat baked all the way through.

What You'll Need

Ingredients:

2 lbs smoked shredded chicken, seasoned with Holy Smokers Buttery Buffalo Ranch
2 TBS Holy Smokers Buttery Buffalo Ranch
3 TBS buffalo sauce
1 tsp honey
¾ cup diced celery
⅔ cup green onion (chives/scallions)
3 TBS mayo
3 TBS plain Greek yogurt
5-6 strips bacon, cooked and chopped, for topping

Optional Add-Ins:

⅛ cup chopped red onion
¼ cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

Equipment:

Smoker or grill (for the chicken - works on any setup)
Meat thermometer
Mixing bowl
Fork, kitchen aide mixer, or two forks for shredding

How to Make High Protein Buffalo Chicken Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: varies by smoker (chicken to 165°F internal) | Serves: 6

Season your chicken generously with Holy Smokers Buttery Buffalo Ranch and smoke until it hits 165°F internal. Let it rest, then shred.
Add the shredded chicken to a large bowl along with the mayo and Greek yogurt.
Sprinkle in the 2 TBS of Holy Smokers Buttery Buffalo Ranch, then add the buffalo sauce and honey.
Fold in the diced celery and green onion.
If using, fold in the chopped red onion and shredded cheddar cheese.
Combine everything well until the chicken is fully coated and the mix is even.
Taste test. Want more heat? Add another splash of buffalo sauce. Need more zip? A pinch of salt or extra Holy Smokers Buttery Buffalo Ranch does the trick.
Serve between two slices of bread as a sandwich, rolled in a wrap, or scooped with crackers and veggies.
Top with the chopped bacon, then finish with a final drizzle of hot sauce right before serving. That's the moment it goes from good to unforgettable.

Pro Tips from the Pit

Smoke extra chicken. Double the batch on your smoker and you've got two meals' worth of protein ready to go for the week.
Add the cheese and onion if you want more texture. They're optional, but the cheddar adds richness and the red onion adds a sharp bite against the buffalo heat.
Save the bacon for the top. Mixing it in softens the crunch - sprinkling it on right before serving keeps it crisp.
Don't skip the rest before shredding. Letting the chicken rest keeps it juicy so the salad doesn't turn dry once it's mixed.
A stand mixer makes quick work of shredding. Toss the warm chicken in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on low speed for fast, even shreds instead of pulling by hand.
Start light on the buffalo sauce. If you don't love things too spicy, ease in and build up from there.

The Seasoning That Makes This Recipe

Holy Smokers Buttery Buffalo Ranch - A rich, tangy blend built for chicken, with buttery ranch flavor and just enough buffalo heat to keep every bite interesting. Gluten-free. Made in Effingham, Illinois.

[→ Grab Buttery Buffalo Ranch at holysmokersrubco.com]

Every Jar Means Something

My wife Mallory and I are pursuing international adoption from Vietnam, and Holy Smokers is how we're funding that journey - one jar at a time. When you make this recipe for your family, you're helping bring ours home too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make this without smoking the chicken? A: Yes - a rotisserie chicken works in a pinch. You'll lose some of the smoky depth, but seasoning it well with Buttery Buffalo Ranch still gets you most of the way there.

Q: How much Buttery Buffalo Ranch should I use? A: More than you think. Season the chicken generously before smoking, then add 2 TBS into the salad mix itself for layered flavor.

Q: Is this actually high protein? A: Yes - 2 lbs of chicken split across 6 servings, plus Greek yogurt in the mix, makes this a solid protein-forward option for meal prep.

Q: How long does this keep as leftovers? A: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Great for meal-prepped lunches all week.

Q: Why is it also called Nashville Hot Chicken Salad? A: The buffalo, honey, and buttery seasoning combo echoes that classic Nashville hot flavor profile - sweet, spicy, and rich all at once.