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30 Minutes or Less

Buffalo Chicken Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing

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Close-up overhead image of buffalo chicken salad in a bowl.

Surprisingly simple, but totally delicious buffalo chicken salad! Complete with a homemade ranch dressing, this healthy recipe is FULL of delicious flavor. Quick and easy to make, it’s perfect for meal prep!

overhead image of buffalo chicken salad in a bowl with homemade ranch dressing and buffalo sauce on the side.

What You’ll Need to Make Buffalo Chicken Salad

Chicken – Start by either slicing and pounding chicken breasts until thin, or make your life super easy and buy pre-cut chicken cutlets! Or, if you’re not up for the extra step and can’t find chicken cutlets, then simply cook whole chicken breasts for your salad. If taking this option, you’ll likely need to cook the chicken for 4-5 additional minutes each side. To check if your chicken is fully cooked, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of a breast. Once the thermometer reads 165° Fahrenheit, then you’re chicken is cooked through and ready for this salad recipe!

Buffalo Sauce – I make my own buffalo sauce for this buffalo chicken salad because it’s truly so easy. However, you can totally buy pre-made buffalo sauce instead, if you’d like. For the homemade buffalo sauce, all you’ll need is hot sauce, melted butter, and honey – that’s it!

Ranch Dressing – Again, I made my own ranch dressing for this salad. But you can buy bottled ranch instead, if that’s more your thing. If I’m short on time or looking for a short cut, I use this Primal Kitchen Vegan Ranch Dressing – it’s lighter and healthier than most other ranch dressings on the market!

Blue Cheese – Salty, tangy blue cheese crumbles are the cherry-on-top of this buffalo chicken salad! Though you can totally add any kind of cheese you’d like to this meal. Or, for a non-dairy salad, leave the blue cheese out altogether.

homemade ranch dressing being poured over a buffalo chicken salad.

Tips and Tricks

  • Meal prep this buffalo chicken salad ahead of a busy week! It’s the perfect grab-and-go lunch recipe. To do this, prepare the salads, then store the buffalo sauce and ranch dressing separately. When ready to eat, dress the salads and enjoy!
  • Feel free to switch out/swap in any ingredients you’d like! This salad is super simple, and easy to customize – so have fun with it and don’t be afraid to make it your own.
  • I always recommend dressing this salad right before serving! Leftover salad (without dressing) will stay fresh in the fridge for up to four days.
buffalo chicken salad in a bowl with a fork.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Dairy-Free: For a dairy-free salad, leave out the blue cheese and make the homemade ranch dressing with mayonnaise, instead of Greek yogurt.

Make it Vegan/Vegetarian: Make some simple plant-based swaps to turn this into a vegan buffalo salad recipe! Replace the chicken with chickpeas – toss them in the chicken seasoning, then roast them in the oven at 350° Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, or until crispy. Also, leave out the blue cheese and use a vegan mayo or plain vegan Greek yogurt to make the ranch dressing.

Close-up overhead image of buffalo chicken salad in a bowl.
5 from 1 vote

Buffalo Chicken Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing

Surprisingly simple, but totally delicious buffalo chicken salad! Complete with a homemade ranch dressing, this healthy recipe is FULL of delicious flavor. Quick and easy to make, it’s perfect for meal prep!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the chicken:

  • 1-2 pounds chicken breasts, cut or pounded thin (or chicken cutlets)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon oil

For the buffalo sauce:

  • 1/2 cup Frank’s hot sauce
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 3 tablespoons honey

For the ranch dressing:

  • 1 cup mayo or plain Greek yogurt
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the salad:

  • 1 bunch romaine, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1/2 English cucumber, chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

Instructions

  • Pat chicken breasts dry with a paper towel, then season on both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sear chicken breasts 4-5 minutes per side or until cooked through.
  • Make the buffalo sauce by whisking together the hot sauce, melted butter, and honey in a small bowl.
  • Make the ranch dressing my whisking together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Assemble the salad with romaine, celery, avocado, cucumber, carrots, blue cheese, and the cooked chicken, then top with a drizzle of buffalo sauce and ranch dressing.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal

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30 Minutes or Less

Classic Rigatoni Bolognese

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close-up image of rigatoni bolognese with parmesan cheese, toasted breadcrumbs, and chopped parsley on top.

A wholesome and comforting rigatoni bolognese! Ground beef, sautéed veggies, red wine, tomatoes, and classic Italian seasoning. This delicious meal comes together in one pot, in under 30 minutes!

overhead image of rigatoni bolognese on a plate with red wine and chopped parsley on the side.

What You’ll Need to Make Rigatoni Bolognese

Ground Beef – I recommend a lean ground beef for this recipe! Also, remember to season it with plenty of salt in the first step.

Italian Seasoning – If you don’t already have Italian seasoning in your pantry, you MUST go get some. It’s a staple in my Italian home, and adds the perfect blend of dried herbs to whatever I’m cooking. Italian seasoning is essential in this rigatoni bolognese, so don’t even think about going without it!

Red Wine – A touch of dry red wine contributes tons of depth to this dish. However, if you don’t like or have red wine, you can use 1/2 cup of beef broth instead.

Rigatoni Pasta – Rigatoni is the perfect pairing to this homemade bolognese sauce! Its wide opening allows plenty of room for the sauce to fully wrap around each noodle. Though if you don’t have any rigatoni, feel free to use whatever pasta you have on-hand! Spaghetti bolognese is always delicious, too.

rigatoni bolognese on a plate with a fork and spoon.

Tips and Tricks

  • Want to make this rigatoni bolognese in the Instant Pot? Follow my Instant Pot bolognese recipe, then serve over rigatoni!
  • The longer you let the sauce simmer, the more flavorful it’ll be. This recipe requires just 15 minutes of simmering, but if you have the time – leave it to simmer even longer! You can simmer this sauce for up to an hour for TONS of flavor.
  • Prep a double batch of this bolognese and store half in the freezer for a later date! To freeze this sauce, let it cool completely then store in an airtight container. It stays fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months!
rigatoni bolognese on a plate with red wine and cheese on the side.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Vegan/Vegetarian: For a vegetarian rigatoni bolognese, replace the ground beef with two cans of drained lentils!

Make it Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free rigatoni, I love this brand.

close-up image of rigatoni bolognese with parmesan cheese, toasted breadcrumbs, and chopped parsley on top.
4 from 3 votes

Classic Rigatoni Bolognese

A wholesome and comforting rigatoni bolognese! Ground beef, sautéed veggies, red wine, tomatoes, and classic Italian seasoning. This delicious meal comes together in one pot, in under 30 minutes!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • salt, to taste
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 1 large carrot, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine, or beef broth
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 pound rigatoni pasta
  • fresh grated parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add in the ground beef and a big pinch of salt. Cook until beef is no longer pink, breaking the beef apart with a spoon as it cooks.
  • Once beef is cooked through, add in the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic. Cook until veggies are soft, about 3 minutes.
  • Add in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, and red wine. Cook for about 5 minutes, using your spoon to scrape up any brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pot.
  • Pour in the jar of crushed tomatoes with its juices, reduce heat to a simmer, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
  • While the bolognese simmers, cook rigatoni pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain pasta from water.
  • Remove bolognese sauce from heat, add in cooked pasta, and stir to coat pasta in sauce. Serve warm with fresh grated parmesan cheese on top.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal
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30 Minutes or Less

Healthy Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

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overhead image of healthy teriyaki chicken rice bowls with rice and broccoli.

These healthy teriyaki chicken rice bowls come together in under 20 minutes! Fresh ginger, garlic, tamari to make it gluten-free, and honey to naturally sweeten things up. Ditch the takeout this week, and make this healthier recipe instead!

close-up image of healthy teriyaki chicken

What You’ll Need to Make Healthy Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

Chicken Breast: Boneless and skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces cooks in just a matter of minutes! However, feel free to use any piece/cut of chicken you’d like. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, replace the chicken with salmon or tofu – the possibilities are endless!

Ginger: Fresh, grated ginger adds tons of delicious fresh flavor to our healthy teriyaki chicken. I usually purchase a bunch of fresh ginger (it’s pretty cheap!) and store it in my freezer until I need to use it. But if you can’t find fresh ginger, feel free to use just 1 teaspoon of dried ground ginger in its place.

Tamari: What is tamari? Tamari is simply gluten-free soy sauce. It tastes exactly the same as soy sauce, but is 100% gluten-free. It’s safe for people who suffer from celiac disease or a gluten intolerance! However, if you’re fine with gluten, go ahead and use soy sauce in this recipe instead.

Honey: A refined sugar-free sweetener to help balance this teriyaki sauce! You won’t notice the difference between this honey-sweetened sauce and the sauce you’d order at a restaurant.

healthy teriyaki chicken rice bowls with sliced green onion on top.

Tips and Tricks

  • I served my healthy teriyaki chicken over white rice with a side of steamed broccoli, but feel free to serve yours with whatever you’d like! Brown rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice make a great base to these bowls. Also, any steamed veggie will pair perfectly with this meal!
  • The chicken cooks pretty quickly in this recipe, thanks to it being cut into such small pieces. Therefore, keep an eye on it and be careful not to overcook the chicken. It should only take a few minutes to cook through!

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

  • Make it Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce, which is 100% gluten-free.
  • Make it Vegan/Vegetarian: Replace the chicken with pressed and cubed tofu, and the honey with maple syrup!
  • Make it Paleo: To make a paleo teriyaki chicken, simply replace the honey with maple syrup and use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce – it’s that easy! Also, serve over cauliflower rice or with extra steamed veggies, instead of white rice.
overhead image of healthy teriyaki chicken rice bowls with rice and broccoli.
4.41 from 20 votes

Healthy Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

These healthy teriyaki chicken rice bowls come together in under 20 minutes! Fresh ginger, garlic, tamari to make it gluten-free, and honey to naturally sweeten things up. Ditch the takeout this week, and make this healthier recipe instead!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoons avocado oil
  • pinch of salt
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup tamari, or soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil, optional
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 3 tablespoons water

For serving:

  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 1 crown broccoli, steamed
  • sliced green onions
  • sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat, add in the chicken and sprinkle with salt. Cook chicken for 2-3 minutes per side or until cooked through. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
  • Reduce heat to low, add in the ginger and garlic, cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add in the tamari or soy sauce, lemon juice, sesame oil, and honey, mix together. 
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until the cornstarch has dissolved. Transfer corn starch and water to the sauce along with the cooked chicken. 
  • Stir until sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Divide between four bowls with rice and broccoli, then top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

  • Storage: Store the rice and vegetables in a separate container than the teriyaki chicken. Place them both in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

    • Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcal

    OTHER HEALTHY RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

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    Appetizers

    Pizza Smashed Potatoes

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    close-up overhead image of pizza smashed potatoes with oregano.

    Irresistibly crispy pizza smashed potatoes! I took two of my favorite food groups and combined them into one delicious appetizer. Fun and easy to make, with only a handful of simple ingredients!

    overhead image of pizza smashed potatoes on a baking sheet.

    What You’ll Need to Make Pizza Smashed Potatoes

    Baby Potatoes – These adorable little spuds come in all sorts of colors and shapes, and really any will work in this recipe. When selecting your baby potatoes, I recommend grabbing a bag that all look pretty similar in size, to ensure they roast up evenly! I used these to make my pizza smashed potatoes, and they were delicious.

    Pizza Sauce – Either homemade or store-bought pizza sauce works! I used store-bought canned pizza sauce, to make this recipe extra quick and easy. But, if you’re up for the task, go ahead and whip up a homemade sauce – I’ll cheer you on!

    Grated Cheese – Mozzarella cheese is the most common pizza topping, but there are plenty of other tasty options out there! I used a freshly grated goat cheese with a lower lactose content, because I’m sensitive to dairy. But feel free to use any kind of grated cheese you’d like! A freshly grated parmesan, provolone, or pecorino romano all taste amazing!

    pizza smashed potatoes on a plate with beer on the side.

    Tips and Tricks

    • Avoid over-boiling your baby potatoes in the first step. Over-boiling/cooking will make them too soft, and they won’t hold their shape when smashed. Therefore, boil potatoes until just fork tender, then strain!
    • You can make these pizza smashed potatoes in the air fryer! To do that, follow the recipe up to the point of roasting. Then, instead of roasting them in the oven, cook them in the air fryer at 400° Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
    • Prep this recipe ahead of time, then pop it in the oven 20 minutes before serving! This is a great game day, potluck, or dinner party app. It’s super hands off, and everyone LOVES them!
    holding up a pizza smashed poatoes.

    Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

    Make it Vegan/Dairy-Free: For vegan pizza smashed potatoes, replace the cheese with your favorite vegan/non-dairy cheese. Or, sprinkle with nutritional yeast and leave the cheese out altogether!

    close-up overhead image of pizza smashed potatoes with oregano.
    No ratings yet

    Pizza Smashed Potatoes

    Irresistibly crispy pizza smashed potatoes! I took two of my favorite food groups and combined them into one delicious appetizer. Fun and easy to make, with only a handful of simple ingredients!
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds baby potatoes
    • salt, to taste
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1/2 cup pizza sauce
    • 1 cup grated cheese (parmesan, asiago, provolone, mozzarella, etc.)
    • pinch of dried oregano

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add in a big pinch of salt and the potatoes. Boil potatoes for about 15-20 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork.
    • Preheat oven to 425° Fahrenheit.
    • Drain potatoes from water and let cool slightly, then transfer to a large baking sheet. Use a bowl, mug, or a heavy glass to smash each potato until they’re about ¼-inch thick.
    • Drizzle potatoes with olive oil, then sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
    • Remove potatoes from oven and top each smashed potato with about 2 teaspoons of sauce and a tablespoon of grated cheese. Then, finish each potato off with a sprinkling of dried oregano, and roast for an additional 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

    Notes

  • Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days! To reheat, either microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or put them back in the oven for 5-7 minutes.

    • Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcal
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    30 Minutes or Less

    Jennifer Aniston Salad

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    close-up image of jennifer aniston salad in a serving bowl

    The viral Jennifer Aniston salad is super easy to make! Loaded with fresh ingredients – cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and feta – all tossed in simple lemon dressing. It’s not just healthy, but totally delicious too!

    overhead image of Jennifer Aniston salad with pistachios and dressing on the side.

    Jennifer Aniston recently described her perfect salad as, “bulgur wheat, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, and pistachios.” And OMG the internet went CRAZY for it! Recipes similar to the salad the Friends actress described quickly popped up all over TikTok. The Jennifer Aniston salad went viral. So, as a foodie and fellow salad-lover, I had to give it a try for myself.

    My version of the salad contains everything Jennifer described – bulgur wheat, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, and pistachios – my only addition is a simple lemon, olive oil, salt, and black pepper dressing. Since Jen didn’t offer up a dressing herself, this is what I envisioned a salad like this being tossed in. And let me tell you, it TOTALLY lived up to the hype!

    Dressing being poured over the Jennifer Aniston salad.

    What You’ll Need to Make the Jennifer Aniston Salad

    Bulgur Wheat or Quinoa – In keeping this super authentic to Jen’s recipe, I used bulgur wheat in my salad. However, bulgur wheat can be hard to come by, so I also offer up the option to use quinoa instead. Both are hearty, protein-rich, super nutritious grains. Never had bulgur wheat? It’s most similar to farro or barley, but smaller grain. Bulgur wheat has a nice nutty flavor, and will keep you full without feeling weighed down.

    Garbanzo Beans/Chickpeas – What’s the difference between garbanzo beans and chickpeas? Literally nothing! They’re two names for the exact same thing. Jennifer Aniston called them “garbanzo beans,” but I call them “chickpeas,” so that’s what we’re sticking with. Chickpeas are an excellent source of protein, especially in this salad recipe!

    Feta Cheese – Greek brined white cheese, made from sheep’s milk. Feta adds the perfect salty bite to this salad! And because it’s made with sheep’s milk, it has a lower lactose content. Meaning, those whoe are lactose intolerant (aka ME!), may have an easier time tolerating feta cheese. I, personally, can enjoy it in small amounts without any issue. However, if you can’t tolerate feta, or simply need a dairy-free option, check out my “make it vegan” section below!

    Parsley and Mint – Don’t skimp on the fresh herbs! Fresh parsley and mint are my favorite parts of this salad. They add a super fresh and vibrant component to this recipe. Therefore, don’t leave ’em out!

    close-up overhead image of Jennifer Aniston salad.

    Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

    Make it Gluten-Free: Yes, bulgur wheat contains gluten. Therefore, opt for quinoa instead of bulgur wheat to make this Jennifer Aniston salad entirely gluten-free.

    Make it Vegan/Dairy-Free: For a vegan/dairy-free salad, either leave out the feta cheese, or replace it with your favorite vegan feta. I love the Violife Vegan Feta, it tastes and crumbles just like the real thing!

    close-up image of jennifer aniston salad in a serving bowl
    4.38 from 24 votes

    Jennifer Aniston Salad

    The viral Jennifer Aniston salad is super easy to make! Loaded with fresh ingredients – cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and feta – all tossed in simple lemon dressing. It’s not just healthy, but totally delicious too!
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings

    Ingredients

    For the bulgur wheat/quinoa:

    • 1 cup bulgur wheat or quinoa, dry
    • 2 cups water or vegetable broth

    For the salad dressing:

    • 1/2 cup olive oil
    • 1/2 cup lemon juice
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

    For the salad:

    • 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
    • 1 cup English cucumber, chopped
    • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
    • 1/2 red onion, diced
    • 1/2 cup roasted salted pistachios, roughly chopped
    • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
    • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

    Instructions

    • Add either bulgur wheat or quinoa to a small saucepan, along with water or vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook over low heat for 12-15 minutes. Once bulgur wheat or quinoa has absorbed all liquid, remove from heat and let stand covered for an additional 5 minutes. Then, remove lid and fluff with a fork.
    • While the bulgur wheat or quinoa cooks, make the salad dressing by adding all ingredients to a bowl and whisking to combine.
    • Add cooked bulgur wheat or quinoa to a large bowl, along with the remaining salad ingredients. Pour dressing over salad and toss, then either serve immediately or let chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

    Notes

  • Leaving the salad to chill for a few hours before eating will increase the flavor!
  • Leftover salad will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. No need to store the dressing separately.

    • Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcal
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