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- 2 cups elbow macaroni - 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded - 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped - 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese - 3/4 cup mayonnaise - 1/4 cup hot sauce - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped To make Spicy Buffalo Chicken Macaroni Salad, you need a mix of simple ingredients. First, start with elbow macaroni and shredded chicken. Cooked chicken from a rotisserie works best. Next, add crunchy vegetables like celery, red bell pepper, and red onion for freshness. Blue cheese adds a savory kick, while mayonnaise makes it creamy. Hot sauce gives the dish its spicy flavor. Apple cider vinegar adds a slight tang. Seasoning with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper enhances the taste. Finally, fresh parsley will add color and flavor to your salad. Gathering these ingredients makes the process fun and easy. You can adjust the hot sauce based on your spice preference. Enjoy mixing these items to create a delicious dish! {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by boiling a big pot of salted water. The salt helps the pasta taste great. Add 2 cups of elbow macaroni to the water. Cook it for around 8 to 10 minutes. You want it to be al dente, which means it should still have a little bite. Once done, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water. This stops the cooking and cools it down. Set it aside to cool fully. In a large bowl, mix 3/4 cup of mayonnaise with 1/4 cup of hot sauce. Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of onion powder. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper. Whisk it all together until it is smooth. Taste it to see if you want it spicier. You can add more hot sauce if you like more heat. Now, take your cooled pasta and add it to the sauce. Mix in 1 cup of shredded chicken, 1/2 cup of chopped celery, 1/2 cup of diced red bell pepper, and 1/4 cup of finely chopped red onion. Crumble in 1/2 cup of blue cheese. Use a spatula to gently fold everything together. Make sure every piece is covered in that tasty sauce. Taste it again and adjust salt or hot sauce if you want. Cover your bowl with plastic wrap or put the salad into an airtight container. Chill it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This time lets all the flavors mix well. Just before you serve, give the salad a good stir. Serve it in a bowl or a platter. For a nice touch, sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley on top. To cook perfect macaroni, use plenty of salted water. This adds flavor to the pasta. Cook the macaroni just until it's al dente. This means it should be firm but not hard. Drain it right away, then rinse under cold water. This stops the cooking and keeps it firm. To avoid mushy pasta, watch the time. If you cook it too long, it will get soft. Follow the package directions closely. You want it to hold its shape in the salad. Balancing flavors is key to a great salad. Use salt and pepper to enhance taste. The right amount of apple cider vinegar adds tanginess. You can adjust these to fit your liking. For heat, start with a small amount of hot sauce. Mix it in and taste. If you want more spice, add more sauce bit by bit. This way, you control how spicy it gets. When serving your salad, think about the dishware. A colorful bowl adds to the look. You can also serve it on a platter for a fun touch. Garnish your salad with fresh parsley. It adds color and freshness. You can also sprinkle extra blue cheese on top. This makes the dish look even more inviting. Pro Tips Choose the Right Chicken: Using rotisserie chicken not only saves time but also adds a depth of flavor to your salad. Feel free to use grilled or baked chicken for a healthier option. Adjusting the Heat: The amount of hot sauce can be tailored to your preference. Start with less if you're unsure, and gradually increase until you find your perfect spice level. Enhance Creaminess: For an extra creamy texture, consider adding a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream to the mayonnaise mixture. This also adds a tangy flavor. Let It Chill: Allowing the salad to chill for at least 30 minutes not only enhances the flavors but also helps the ingredients meld together beautifully, making each bite more delicious. {{image_4}} You can easily swap ingredients based on your needs or preferences. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free elbow macaroni. These come in various grains like rice or corn, so you can still enjoy this salad without gluten. If you want a different protein, consider using canned chicken or turkey. You could also use diced tofu for a vegetarian option. This keeps the salad flavorful and satisfying without the meat. To make this dish even more exciting, add extra spices or herbs. A pinch of smoked paprika gives a nice smoky flavor. Fresh herbs like cilantro or dill can also boost the taste. Cheese is another way to change things up. If blue cheese isn’t your favorite, try feta or shredded cheddar. Each cheese adds its own twist, making the salad even more delicious. You can serve this salad in many creative ways. Turn it into a wrap by using a large tortilla. Just place the salad in the center and roll it up. This makes a great lunch option. Another fun idea is to serve it as a dip. Just place the salad in a bowl and use crackers or veggie sticks for dipping. This makes it perfect for parties or gatherings. To keep your Spicy Buffalo Chicken Macaroni Salad fresh, store it in the fridge. Use an airtight container for best results. This helps prevent any odors from mixing. Make sure the lid fits tightly. If you don’t have one, a covered bowl works too. Always let the salad cool before sealing it. If you find it needs a refresh, stir it gently. Add a bit more mayonnaise or hot sauce to revive the flavor. Serve it cold for that classic salad taste. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days. Keep an eye on it! If it smells off, throw it out. You can store this salad in the fridge for up to three days. Keep it in an airtight container. This helps keep the flavors fresh and the pasta firm. After three days, the salad may lose its taste and texture. Yes, you can make this salad a day before serving. Just follow the recipe and chill it in the fridge. This allows all the flavors to mix well. When you are ready to serve, stir the salad again for even flavor. No, this salad is not gluten-free due to the elbow macaroni. However, you can use gluten-free pasta instead. Many brands offer great options that taste just as good. Always check labels to ensure they meet your needs. Absolutely! You can swap hot sauce for your favorite brand. Some great options include sriracha or a chipotle sauce. Adjust the amount to fit your heat level. Each sauce adds a unique flavor twist to the dish. In this post, we explored how to whip up a delicious Spicy Buffalo Chicken Macaroni Salad. We covered the key ingredients like macaroni, chicken, veggies, and cheese. You learned the step-by-step process from cooking pasta to mixing the sauce, plus chilling for the best flavor. I shared tips for perfecting your salad and suggested fun variations. Remember, this dish shines when customized to your tastes. Enjoy creating your own version!

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Macaroni Salad

Elevate your summer gatherings with this Spicy Buffalo Chicken Salad! This Macaroni Salad with Blue Cheese is the ultimate Easy Chicken Pasta Salad, packed with flavor and perfect for any occasion. Tossed with rotisserie chicken, crunchy veggies, and a spicy kick, this Spicy Macaroni Recipe will be a crowd-pleaser. Ready in just 45 minutes, it's the ideal addition to your Summer Salad Recipes. Don't miss out; save this recipe now! #BuffaloChicken #PastaSalad #SummerRecipes #EasyRecipes
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Ingredients
  

2 cups elbow macaroni

1 cup cooked chicken, shredded (preferably rotisserie for added flavor)

1/2 cup celery, finely chopped

1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped

1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

3/4 cup mayonnaise (for creaminess)

1/4 cup hot sauce (adjust based on heat preference)

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (adds tanginess)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish and freshness)

Instructions
 

Cook the Pasta: In a generously salted pot of boiling water, cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until it reaches an al dente texture. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set it aside to cool completely.

    Prepare the Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well-blended. Taste the sauce and adjust the hot sauce to suit your personal spice level.

      Mix Ingredients: To the bowl with the sauce, add the cooled macaroni, shredded chicken, chopped celery, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, and crumbled blue cheese.

        Combine: Using a spatula, gently fold all the ingredients together until each piece is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. Taste the salad and modify the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or hot sauce as desired.

          Chill: Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container. Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld beautifully together for a more robust taste.

            Serve: Just before serving, stir the salad again to ensure everything is well mixed. Serve it in a bowl or on a platter, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant touch.

              Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Servings: 6