Ever get in the mood for a salad that’s anything but boring? This zesty salad with blue cheese dressing is creamy, bold, and loaded with flavor. You’ve got crisp veggies, juicy chicken, and that rich blue cheese dressing tying it all together. It’s the kind of salad recipe that feels hearty enough for dinner, whether you love a classic wedge salad or more of a chopped salad vibe.
I had a small chunk of leftover blue cheese from a holiday cheese board and didn’t want it to go to waste. I figured I’d throw some veggies together and call it lunch, but something about that tangy blue cheese dressing brought everything to life. It tasted like something you’d get at a fancy bistro, even though I made it in my kitchen.
Refreshing Summer Dish
On a hot day, this salad feels like a cool breeze. The crisp veggies and tangy dressing are perfect for beating the heat. Like kale salad and cucumber salad, it’s hydrating, flavorful, and light on the stomach. You’ll want to eat it all summer long and even beyond.
Simple Salad Recipe
This recipe uses just a few fresh ingredients you probably already have. You don’t need to be a pro to make it taste amazing. Just chop, toss, and drizzle your way to a delicious plate. Even on a busy day, this comes together fast.
Creamy Blue Cheese as Salad Dressing
The blue cheese dressing is the star, rich, bold, and creamy. It balances out the crisp greens and juicy tomatoes perfectly. If you love flavor, this dressing will become your new favorite. You can even make a small batch and keep it in the fridge for later.
How To Make Zesty Salad with Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing
Zesty salad with creamy blue cheese dressing is a bold mix of crisp greens, tangy toppings, and rich, flavorful dressing. It’s a perfect balance of freshness and indulgence in every bite.
Kitchen Gadgets:
- Mixing Bowl: Perfect for tossing chicken in hot sauce or marinating ingredients without the mess.
- Whisk: Quickly blends dressings into a smooth, zesty mix full of flavor.
- Salad Bowl: Spacious enough for combining and serving your bold, spicy salad creation.
Ingredients:
- Fesh Mixed Greens: A crisp and colorful base that adds freshness and texture.
- Cooked Chicken: Adds hearty protein and soaks up the zesty flavors perfectly.
- Hot Pepper Sauce: Brings a bold, spicy kick that ties everything together.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy bites that add a sweet contrast and vibrant color.
- Cucumber: Cool and refreshing, adding crunch to every bite.
- Celery: Adds a peppery crispness that complements the other veggies.
- Blue Cheese: Rich and tangy, it balances the heat with creamy boldness.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Gives a sharp tang that brightens the dressing.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Smooth and rich, it brings everything together in the dressing.
- Salt and Ground Black Pepper: Essential seasoning to balance all the flavors.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
FULL INSTRUCTIONS WITH STEPS FOR ZESTY WEDGE SALAD WITH HOMEMADE BLUE CHEESE DRESSING
First Step: Set Up Your Salad Station
Gather your salad ingredients: cooked shredded chicken, hot sauce, fresh veggies, blue cheese, olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings. Wash and prep the produce by slicing the celery, halving the cherry tomatoes, and cutting the cucumber. Lay everything out so you’re ready to assemble with ease.
Second Step: Toss Chicken with Heat
Add the shredded chicken to a bowl and pour the hot sauce over it. Mix until all the chicken is coated in spicy goodness. Let it rest for a few minutes to soak up the flavor.
Third Step: Build the Salad Base
In a large bowl, add the salad greens first, then scatter the celery, tomatoes, and cucumber on top. Try to layer the ingredients so every bite is balanced and colorful. Add the buffalo chicken right over the veggies and sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese.
Fourth Step: Whisk the Tangy Dressing
In a small jar or bowl, combine the olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Season with a bit of salt and pepper and whisk until smooth. This simple dressing will tie everything together with a zesty finish.
Fifth Step: Finish and Serve
Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad. Give it a gentle toss just before serving, being careful not to crush the toppings. Serve chilled for a crisp, spicy, and refreshing meal.
TRICKS AND TIPS:
- Use chilled ingredients for extra crunch: Keeping your veggies cold before tossing the salad makes everything taste fresher and crispier. You can add romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce for extra crunch, red onions, or avocado.
- Crumble the blue cheese yourself: Make blue cheese crumble, breaking it up from a block keeps the flavor rich and creamy.
- Balance the bold flavor: If blue cheese is too strong, mix it with a little plain yogurt or sour cream to mellow it out.
- Toss just before serving: This keeps the salad from getting soggy and helps the dressing coat everything evenly without wilting the greens.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What to Serve With Blue Cheese Dressing Zesty Salad?
This salad pairs well with cabbage steak, chicken, or pork scotch fillet. It also works as a refreshing side for rich dishes like enchiladas or bolognese ragu. You can even serve it with clear veggie soup for a light and balanced meal.
Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1–2 days. Keep the dressing separate, if possible, to prevent the greens from becoming soggy. Give it a quick toss before serving again.
Can I Freeze Salads?
Freezing zesty salads is not recommended. The fresh vegetables and creamy dressing don’t hold up well once thawed. They tend to become watery and lose their crisp texture.
More Clean-Eating Recipes
Looking for more clean-eating recipes to inspire your kitchen? Try the chocolate nut clusters recipe, a sweet and crunchy treat that’s perfect for snacking or gifting. If you’re missing a key spice, the best five spice powder substitute will help you keep your dishes bold and flavorful without skipping a beat.
Curious about your pantry staples? Learn what is granulated garlic and how it can level up your cooking. These simple guides and recipes are all about making everyday clean eating easier and tastier.
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Full Recipe With a Printable Version
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Zesty Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
Equipment
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Salad Bowl
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Mixed Greens fresh
- 2 Cups Cooked Chicken shredded
- 1/4 Cup Hot Pepper Sauce
- 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes sliced in half
- 1/2 Cup Cucumber chopped
- 1/2 Cup Celery thin slices
- 1/4 Cup Crumbled Blue Cheese
Dressing
- 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt
- Freshly Ground Pepper
Instructions
- Gather your salad ingredients: cooked shredded chicken, hot sauce, fresh veggies, blue cheese, olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings. Wash and prep the produce by slicing the celery, halving the cherry tomatoes, and cutting the cucumber. Lay everything out so you’re ready to assemble with ease.
- Add the shredded chicken to a bowl and pour the hot sauce over it. Mix until all the chicken is coated in spicy goodness. Let it rest for a few minutes to soak up the flavor.
- In a large bowl, add the salad greens first, then scatter the celery, tomatoes, and cucumber on top. Try to layer the ingredients so every bite is balanced and colorful. Add the buffalo chicken right over the veggies and sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese.
- In a small jar or bowl, combine the olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Season with a bit of salt and pepper and whisk until smooth. This simple dressing will tie everything together with a zesty finish.
- Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad. Give it a gentle toss just before serving, being careful not to crush the toppings. Serve chilled for a crisp, spicy, and refreshing meal.
Notes
- Use chilled ingredients for extra crunch: Keeping your veggies cold before tossing the salad makes everything taste fresher and crispier. You can add romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce for extra crunch, red onions, or avocado.
- Crumble the blue cheese yourself: Make blue cheese crumble, breaking it up from a block keeps the flavor rich and creamy.
- Balance the bold flavor: If blue cheese is too strong, mix it with a little plain yogurt or sour cream to mellow it out.
- Toss just before serving: This keeps the salad from getting soggy and helps the dressing coat everything evenly without wilting the greens.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
add flavor to your salads
Add flavor to your salads with zesty dressings, fresh herbs, and crunchy toppings. A few simple ingredients can turn a plain salad into something exciting and delicious.
