Claire Thompson
Buffalo chicken wings are a beloved dish, but what if you're not a fan of chicken or want to try something different? There are several substitutes for chicken in a buffalo recipe, and this paragraph will explore some of the best options. From vegetarian alternatives like cauliflower wings to using different cuts of meat such as drumsticks or thighs, there are plenty of ways to get creative and put a unique twist on the classic buffalo wing. So whether you're catering to different dietary preferences or simply looking for a change, read on to discover some mouth-watering ideas for swapping out the chicken in your next batch of buffalo wings.
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What You'll Learn
Buffalo chicken dip with vegetables
Buffalo chicken dip is a popular appetizer or snack that can be made in a variety of ways to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. This recipe includes vegetables, making it a healthier option that's packed with nutrients and fiber.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups cooked chicken, shredded
- ½ cup carrots, shredded or finely diced
- ½ cup hot sauce (e.g. Frank's Original Red Hot Sauce)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (neufchatel), softened
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup celery, shredded or finely diced
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- Blue cheese, crumbled (optional)
- Green onions, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and grease a baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, carrots, hot sauce, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, garlic, parsley, and celery. Mix until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish and top with the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 16-20 minutes or 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and top with blue cheese crumbles and green onions, if desired.
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips, crackers, celery sticks, carrot sticks, bell peppers, or other cut vegetables of your choice.
Tips and Variations
- For a vegetarian option, swap out the chicken for one can of drained and pulsed chickpeas.
- To make it ahead of time, prepare the dip up to the baking step, cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve.
- To reduce the spiciness, use less hot sauce or add more butter to the sauce.
- For extra creaminess, add some cottage cheese or sour cream to the mixture.
- If you prefer a chunkier dip, you can finely chop the vegetables instead of shredding them.
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Buffalo shrimp lettuce wraps
Ingredients
- 1lb large peeled deveined shrimp (fresh or frozen)
- Canola oil
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Hot sauce (e.g. Frank's RedHot Sauce)
- Romaine or butter lettuce
- Red onion
- Celery
- Chives
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing
Method
- If using frozen shrimp, ensure they are defrosted. Coat the shrimp in canola oil and season with garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add about 1 tablespoon of canola oil. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until pink and opaque.
- Turn off the heat and add the hot sauce, tossing to coat the shrimp.
- Assemble the wraps: place a couple of shrimp in the center of a romaine leaf, then add your desired toppings and dressing.
Tips
- Romaine lettuce is recommended for its sturdiness, but butter lettuce can also be used.
- For a low-carb option, use lettuce instead of bread to wrap your filling.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce used according to your spice tolerance.
- If you prefer a salad, chop the lettuce instead of using whole leaves.
- For a milder taste, mix butter into the hot sauce.
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Buffalo chicken sandwiches
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts or thighs
- Buffalo sauce
- Cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, pepper jack, or blue cheese)
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Spices (paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper)
- Ranch dressing (optional)
- Pickles (optional)
- Tomato slices, lettuce (optional)
Method
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper and other spices like paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. You can also add olive oil to the chicken for extra flavour.
- Grill or broil the chicken until it is cooked through and lightly charred. This should take around 5-8 minutes per side, depending on the size of your chicken.
- Shred the chicken using a stand mixer or by hand.
- Toss the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce. You can also add in some butter to make it extra decadent.
- If desired, make a ranch dressing by combining all the ingredients in a jar and mixing until creamy.
- Assemble the sandwich by spreading the ranch dressing on the bottom piece of bread. You can use a hoagie roll, French bread, or a soft brioche bun.
- Add the chicken and layer on cheese slices. You can also add sliced tomatoes and lettuce for extra freshness.
- If you want to melt the cheese, place the assembled sandwich on a grill or in the oven.
- For an extra touch of decadence, brush the bread with melted butter after it comes out of the oven.
- Top with blue cheese crumbles, if desired, and enjoy!
Substitutions
You can also get creative with substitutions and additions to make the sandwich your own. Here are some ideas:
- Add sauteed onions to the chicken for extra flavour.
- Use different types of cheese, such as cheddar or pepper jack, or leave out the blue cheese if you don't like it.
- Add a crunchy slaw made with cabbage, pickles, shallots, and a honey vinegar dressing.
- Use a crockpot to cook the chicken for a slow cooker version of the sandwich.
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Buffalo chicken pasta
Ingredients
- Pasta
- Chicken
- Buffalo sauce
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Hot sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey jack, or blue cheese)
- Spices (garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt)
- Olive oil
- Chicken broth
- Canned diced tomatoes
Method
Start by cutting the chicken into small pieces. Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt, then sprinkle the mixture over the chicken pieces. Toss the chicken in the spices until everything is well coated.
Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides. You can also grill the chicken instead of frying it. The chicken does not need to be cooked through at this point.
Next, add the uncooked pasta, canned diced tomatoes (with the liquid), and the chicken broth to the skillet with the chicken. Stir to dissolve all of the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet. Place a lid on the pot and let the broth come to a strong simmer.
Once the pasta is tender and only a small amount of thickened liquid remains in the skillet, cut the cream cheese into chunks and add them to the pasta along with the butter, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir and cook over medium-low heat until the cream cheese has fully melted.
Finally, add the shredded cheese and stir until melted into the sauce. Top with sliced green onions, then serve hot.
Substitutions
For a vegetarian option, you can substitute the chicken with cauliflower florets or tofu. You can also use plant-based alternatives for the cream cheese and butter.
If you are looking for a lighter option, you can use low-fat cream cheese and whole-grain pasta. You can also reduce the amount of cheese or use a non-dairy alternative.
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Buffalo chicken sloppy joes
Ingredients:
- Ground chicken
- Buffalo sauce
- Blue cheese crumbles
- Ranch dressing
- Carrot
- Onion
- Celery
- Tomato sauce
- Hot sauce
- Hamburger buns or pretzel slider rolls
Optional Ingredients:
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Havarti cheese
- Ground turkey
Instructions:
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion, carrot, celery, salt, and pepper. Cook until the vegetables are softened but not browned (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Add the ground chicken and cook until the meat is crumbly and no longer pink.
- Stir in the onion, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the onion has softened (about 7-8 minutes).
- Combine chicken stock, buffalo sauce, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the chicken.
- Add the cream cheese and cheddar cheese (optional). Simmer and stir until the cheeses have melted and everything is well combined.
- Serve the sloppy joe filling hot on hamburger buns or pretzel slider rolls with crumbled blue cheese and ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Tips:
- The buffalo chicken sloppy joe filling can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- If using pretzel slider rolls, top them with havarti cheese before adding the buffalo chicken filling.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground chicken with plant-based chicken alternatives.
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Frequently asked questions
Seitan, tofu, jackfruit, and mushrooms are all good substitutes for chicken in a buffalo chicken sub.
Tofu, seitan, jackfruit, and mushrooms are all vegetarian substitutes for chicken.
Tofu, seitan, and mushrooms are all vegan substitutes for chicken.
Seitan, jackfruit, and mushrooms are all soy-free substitutes for chicken.
Tofu, jackfruit, and mushrooms are all gluten-free substitutes for chicken.
