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I started making this buffalo chicken cottage cheese bowl during football season, and it's become my go-to when I'm craving wings but don't want all the guilt. It's got all those classic buffalo flavors we love, but with a protein-packed twist that keeps you satisfied through the whole game. Plus, no sticky fingers to clean up!
Last week I made these for my buddies during the game, and even my friend Mike, who swears by his traditional wings, couldn't stop eating it. Now his wife keeps texting me for the recipe!
Essential Ingredients:
- Your favorite buffalo sauce: - I use Frank's because that's what my dad always used
- Good quality cottage cheese: to cool things down
- Leftover chicken: works perfectly here
- Crisp celery: for that essential crunch
- Fresh carrots: (I grate my own - tastes so much better)
- Real ranch dressing: - no light stuff for this bowl
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Detailed Instructions:
- Cool Foundation:
- Start with a generous scoop of cottage cheese. I like to create a little well in the center - it catches all the buffalo sauce perfectly.
- Spice It Up:
- Toss that shredded chicken in buffalo sauce until every piece is coated. I usually start with less sauce and add more to taste - you can always add heat, but you can't take it away!
- Create Your Layers:
- Pile that saucy chicken right in the middle of your cottage cheese. Watch how the heat from the chicken starts to warm up the cottage cheese just a bit - that's when the magic happens.
- Add The Crunch:
- Scatter your diced celery and shredded carrots around the edges. These aren't just for show - they're your cool-down crew when things get too spicy.
- Drizzle Time:
- A good drizzle of ranch dressing brings it all together. Sometimes I zigzag it, sometimes I do dots - depends on how fancy I'm feeling that day.
The idea for this bowl came during playoff season when I wanted something healthier than my usual wing order. Now it's become such a hit that my brother-in-law requests it for every game day!
Quick Meal Ideas:
Perfect for lunch prep - just keep the buffalo chicken separate until you're ready to eat. I often make extra chicken on Sunday to have these bowls all week.
Make It Your Own:
Try blue cheese dressing instead of ranch for that authentic wing experience. Add diced avocado for extra creaminess, or throw in some diced bell peppers for more crunch. When I'm feeling extra spicy, I'll add a few dashes of hot sauce on top.
Keep It Fresh:
These bowls are best assembled right before eating. The veggies stay crunchier that way, and you can adjust the heat level to your mood.
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Kitchen Wisdom:
- Warm your chicken slightly before adding the buffalo sauce
- Cut your celery on the bias for fancy restaurant-style pieces
- Keep extra ranch on hand - trust me on this one
Every time I serve these bowls, they remind me of watching football with my dad, but with a healthier twist. It's comfort food that doesn't weigh you down - perfect for cheering on your team without the food coma later!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How spicy is this bowl?
- Spice level can be adjusted by using more or less buffalo sauce to taste.
- → Can I meal prep this?
- Prepare ingredients separately and assemble just before eating for best results.
- → What type of buffalo sauce works best?
- Any buffalo wing sauce works well - choose your favorite brand and heat level.
- → Can I use blue cheese dressing instead?
- Yes, blue cheese dressing is a classic alternative to ranch for buffalo chicken dishes.
- → How can I make this lighter?
- Use light ranch dressing and low-fat cottage cheese to reduce calories while maintaining protein.