Buffalo Chicken Salad with Cilantro-Cotija Dressing

Buffalo wings are delicious, so why not make a salad around those familiar flavors? We created this Latin-inspired take on the traditional combination of buffalo wings and blue cheese dressing. The parsley and blue cheese of the traditional dressing are replaced with cilantro and cotija cheese, a crumbly cheese often used to top Mexican dishes, and it’s absolutely delicious. Everyone we’ve ever served this to has raved about it.

Buffalo Chicken:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 12-oz bottle of buffalo wing sauce
• 4 TBSP butter
• 1/4 cup Louisiana-style hot sauce, such as Tabasco

Directions:

1. Combine chicken and buffalo wing sauce in a gallon-sized zip-top bag. Marinate for 1 hour.
2. Melt butter in a small pot, whisk in hot sauce to combine. Grill chicken over medium-high heat until the internal temperature reaches 170°F. Brush the butter and hot sauce mixture over the chicken during cooking.

Dressing:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 to 2 TBSP lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 6 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Crushed red pepper to taste
• 6 oz cotija cheese

Directions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a blender. If necessary, water can be added to thin the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly.

Salad:

• Grilled chicken, sliced
• 1 head iceberg lettuce
• 2 c. grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 yellow or red bell pepper
• 1 c. corn, roasted or grilled
• 2 oz. cotija cheese, for garnish

Directions:

1. Mix together all of the ingredients, except for the cotija cheese, in a large bow. Toss with the dressing, plate and top with cotija cheese.

Buffalo Chicken Salad with Cilantro-Cotija Dressing: