Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
This high-protein buffalo chicken pasta salad is creamy, flavorful, and perfect for meal prep, family barbecues, or easy lunches. Made with Greek yogurt, gluten-free pasta, and tender chicken, it’s a healthier twist on a classic favorite.
Creator: Leslie Stokes
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS Pasta Salad RECIPE
This is one of those recipes that I made once… and immediately knew it was going to be on repeat. It has that creamy, tangy buffalo flavor everyone loves, but it’s lightened up with Greek yogurt and packed with protein so it actually keeps you full. And the combo of celery, pickle de gallo, fresh dill, and green onions gives it that crunch and freshness that makes it feel like more than just another pasta salad.
It’s the kind of recipe that works for literally everything:
meal prep lunches
quick dinners
pool days
family BBQs
standing at the fridge eating it straight out of the container (just me?)
SERVING IDEAS for this pasta salad
This recipe is perfect on its own, but you can also:
Serve it alongside grilled corn or fruit for a BBQ
Wrap it in a tortilla for a buffalo chicken wrap
Serve over chopped romaine for a buffalo chicken salad
Add avocado for extra healthy fats
EASY VARIATIONS for this pasta salad
Add crumbled bacon for a BLT-style twist
Use ranch seasoning in the sauce for a buffalo ranch vibe
Swap chicken for shredded rotisserie chicken for convenience
Add shredded carrots for extra crunch
I’m always looking for recipes that check a few boxes — they need to be easy, something my kids will actually eat, and something that doesn’t feel like I’m eating “meal prep food” by day three.
And this one does all of that.
I made this on a whim because I had leftover chicken and a box of protein pasta sitting in my pantry, and I didn’t feel like making another boring lunch. I wanted something with flavor… something that actually felt exciting to eat.
And of course, I defaulted to buffalo
But what really makes this recipe is everything else going on in it. The celery gives it that crunch, the pickle de gallo adds a little tang and brightness, and the fresh dill just pulls everything together in the best way.
It’s creamy without being heavy, high protein without feeling like “diet food,” and it’s one of those things that somehow tastes even better the next day.
I’ve been making this for meal prep, but it’s also one of those recipes I’d bring to a BBQ and know it’ll be gone by the end of the day. It’s familiar enough that everyone wants to try it, but just different enough that people ask for the recipe.
And honestly… anything that makes weekday lunches easier and still feels like something I want to eat is a win for me.
Tips for the best pasta salad + storage
Let the pasta cool completely before mixing (this keeps it creamy, not gummy)
Add extra buffalo sauce right before serving if you like it saucier
Chop your chicken small so you get a little in every bite
Don’t skip the dill — it makes it
This is one of my favorite meal prep recipes because it actually holds up.
Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days
Great cold straight from the fridge
If it dries out slightly, just stir in a little more buffalo or yogurt
I love portioning this into individual containers so I have lunches ready to go all week.
I hope this meal prep helps you! Don’t forget to follow along on social media for more Meal Prep + healthy recipes!
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 2-3 cups cooked chicken I used my oven baked chicken
- 8 oz gluten-free protein pasta
- 2-3 celery stalks diced
- ½ cup pickle de gallo
- 2-3 green onions sliced
- 1-2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
Buffalo Yogurt Sauce:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup buffalo sauce adjust to taste
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt + pepper to taste
Let's Make It
- Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain, and let cool
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, celery, pickle de gallo, green onions, and dill
- In a separate bowl, mix together Greek yogurt, buffalo sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
- Pour sauce over pasta mixture and toss until everything is coated
- Taste and adjust buffalo or seasoning as needed
- Chill before serving for best flavor
Nutrition Facts
(per serving – approx. 4 servings)
Calories: ~400
Protein: ~35g
Carbs: ~35g
Fat: ~12g
(Will vary based on pasta and exact ingredients)
Meal Prep in 1 Hour
You can use any two of the meals in this series to get your meal prep done in just about and hour, give or take!
Having your breakfast and lunch ready for the week helps you stay on track with your nutriton, saves you time and money! I truly beleive that meal prep does not need to be over complicated, take too much time or be boring!
I always get asked- “do you ever get tired of eating the same thing all week?” and the answer is, no! Not when the food taste good! I give plenty of variety in these preps and keep it simple!
As always, thanks for being here and remember, don’t over complicate the process! Take a deep breath, you got this!
