Buffalo Chicken Celery Recipe

Cooked chicken: Shredded chicken that has been cooked and is ready to be mixed with the sauce.

Buffalo sauce: A spicy, tangy sauce that gives the dish its signature flavor.

Ranch dressing: A creamy dressing that balances the heat of the buffalo sauce.

Celery: Fresh celery sticks cut into 3-inch pieces, providing a crunchy base for the buffalo chicken mixture.

Blue cheese crumbles: Optional, but adds a rich, tangy flavor that complements the buffalo sauce.

To ensure the buffalo chicken mixture adheres well to the celery sticks, make sure the chicken is shredded finely. This allows the buffalo sauce to coat each piece evenly, creating a more cohesive filling. Additionally, slightly warming the ranch dressing before drizzling can help it spread more smoothly over the buffalo chicken.

• cooked chicken - Substitute with cooked turkey: Turkey has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a great alternative.

• buffalo sauce - Substitute with sriracha sauce: Sriracha provides a similar spicy kick, though it has a slightly different flavor profile.

• ranch dressing - Substitute with Greek yogurt with herbs: Greek yogurt mixed with herbs like dill and garlic can mimic the creamy texture and tangy flavor of ranch dressing.

• celery - Substitute with cucumber slices: Cucumber slices offer a similar crunch and can hold the filling well.

• blue cheese crumbles - Substitute with feta cheese: Feta cheese has a tangy and salty flavor that can replace the strong taste of blue cheese.

• To store the buffalo chicken celery, place the prepared celery sticks in an airtight container. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• If you plan to enjoy the buffalo chicken celery within a few days, store the container in the refrigerator. The dish should stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
• For longer storage, consider freezing the buffalo chicken mixture separately from the celery sticks. This will help preserve the texture of the celery.
• To freeze the buffalo chicken mixture, transfer it to a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing.
• Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of its freshness. The buffalo chicken mixture can be frozen for up to 2 months.
• When ready to use, thaw the buffalo chicken mixture in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, reheat it in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
• Assemble the buffalo chicken celery by filling the fresh celery sticks with the reheated buffalo chicken mixture. Drizzle with ranch dressing and sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles, if desired.
• Avoid freezing the celery sticks as they can become watery and lose their crispness. Always use fresh celery for the best texture and flavor.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the buffalo chicken celery on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

• For a quicker option, use a microwave. Place the buffalo chicken celery on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.

• If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the buffalo chicken celery in a single layer in the basket. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

• For stovetop reheating, place a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or chicken broth to the skillet to create steam. Arrange the buffalo chicken celery in the skillet, cover with a lid, and heat for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally.

• If you prefer a toaster oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the buffalo chicken celery on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Heat for about 10-12 minutes or until warmed through.

• Skillet: Used to heat the buffalo sauce and cook the shredded chicken until heated through.

• Spoon: Essential for stirring the chicken and buffalo sauce mixture to ensure even coating.

• Knife: Needed to cut the celery sticks into 3-inch pieces.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting the celery sticks.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the cooked chicken, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing accurately.

• Mixing bowl: Optional, but can be used to mix the shredded chicken with the buffalo sauce before heating.

• Tongs: Useful for handling the hot chicken mixture when filling the celery sticks.

• Serving platter: Ideal for arranging the filled celery sticks for presentation.

• Drizzle bottle: Optional, but can be used to drizzle the ranch dressing over the filled celery sticks neatly.

• Cheese grater: If using blue cheese crumbles, a cheese grater can help to crumble the cheese finely.

Use rotisserie chicken: Save time by using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the store. Simply shred and mix with buffalo sauce.

Pre-cut celery: Buy pre-cut celery sticks to skip the chopping step.

Make ahead: Prepare the buffalo chicken mixture in advance and store it in the fridge. Just fill the celery sticks when ready to serve.

Use a squeeze bottle: Transfer ranch dressing to a squeeze bottle for quick and easy drizzling.

Skip the skillet: Mix the buffalo sauce and shredded chicken in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave for faster preparation.