This irresistibly creamy spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip isn’t just any appetizer—it’s the one that disappears first at every gathering.
Whether hosting game day, planning a holiday gathering, or having friends over, this dip is your go-to. Serve it warm with crispy celery sticks, sturdy chips, crackers, or anything else you fancy.
Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe?
This crowd-pleasing dip is a guaranteed hit for parties and game-day gatherings. Its ooey-gooey goodness that keeps everyone coming back for more.
It combines softened cream cheese, shredded chicken, buffalo wing sauce (like Frank’s RedHot), ranch dressing, and shredded cheddar cheese, with optional green onions for garnish.
The combination of creamy cheese, spicy buffalo sauce, and tender chicken is irresistible. It’s one of those dips that people always ask for the recipe – and they’re usually surprised at how simple it is!
Ingredients You Need
- Cream Cheese Packages, Softened or Greek Yoghurt
- Cooked Shredded Chicken
- Buffalo Wing Sauce (Like Frank’s RedHot)
- Ranch Dressing
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Divided
- Green Onions For Garnish (Optional)
How to Make Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip
Preparation
Take your cream cheese out of the refrigerator about an hour before you plan to start cooking. This ensures it will mix smoothly.
If you’re cooking chicken fresh, boil and shred it, or save time by using a rotisserie chicken. Before mixing, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Mixing The Base
Start by beating the softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer until it’s completely smooth and creamy – this usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
Once creamy, blend in the buffalo sauce and ranch dressing until the mixture is well combined and uniform in color.
Next, fold in your shredded chicken, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Finally, stir in one cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until everything is well incorporated.
Assembly And Baking
Transfer your mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to all corners. Top the dip with the remaining cup of cheddar cheese, spreading it to the edges for even coverage.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the dip bubbles and the cheese melts.
For an extra touch of color and texture, you can broil it for the final 1-2 minutes to get some golden brown spots on top – just watch it carefully to prevent burning.
Finishing Touches
After removing it from the oven, let the dip rest for 5-10 minutes to set it slightly. This also prevents burned mouths! If desired, sprinkle with freshly chopped green onions for color and flavor.
Serve your dip while it’s hot and bubbly for the best taste and texture.
Using a Crockpot
You can make your buffalo dip in a crockpot, but it won’t have that golden, bubbly cheese top you’d get from baking it in the oven. For that extra crisp, transfer the dip to an oven-safe dish, sprinkle more cheese on top, and broil until it’s browned and bubbly.
Place the cream cheese blocks at the bottom (cut them into chunks for easier melting), then layer the shredded chicken on top. Pour in the buffalo sauce and ranch dressing, and sprinkle the shredded cheddar over everything. Set the Crockpot to Low for 2-3 hours or High for 1-2 hours until the dip is hot and creamy. Stir everything together before serving.
Easy Buffalo Dip Variations
Here are some easy ways to switch up your buffalo dip to suit different tastes and occasions:
- Blue Cheese Twist: Swap out the ranch dressing for blue cheese dressing and sprinkle crumbled blue cheese on top for an extra bold flavor.
- Healthy Alternative: Use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese and use low-fat cheddar to make it lighter.
- BBQ Buffalo Combo: Combine buffalo sauce with a touch of barbecue sauce for a smoky-sweet twist.
- Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or a hot sauce splash to reduce the heat.
- Bacon Buffalo Dip: Mix in crispy bacon bits for a smoky, savory boost.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace chicken with roasted cauliflower or chickpeas for a meat-free version.
- Cheesy Upgrade: Add mozzarella or pepper jack for extra gooey goodness.
These simple tweaks allow you to customize the dip to match any crowd or craving!
Can You Prepare Buffalo Chicken Dip Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare buffalo chicken dip ahead of time! This makes it a great option for parties and gatherings, allowing you to focus on other preparations.
Here’s how to do it:
- Prepare the ingredients: Cook the chicken, shred it, and cool it. Mix the cream cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce until smooth.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooled chicken, shredded cheese, and any additional seasonings to the cream cheese mixture. Stir until well combined.
- Refrigerate: Cover the dip and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
How to Store and Reheat
To store and reheat buffalo dip, follow these easy steps;
- Refrigerator: Transfer leftover dip to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Place the dip in a freezer-safe container for longer storage and freeze for up to 3 months. Be sure to leave a bit of space at the top for expansion. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
To Reheat your dip follow my steps below.
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the dip to an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warmth. Remove the foil for 5 minutes to let the cheese melt nicely on top.
- Microwave: Place a portion of the dip in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully warmed.
- Stovetop: Warm the dip in a non-stick skillet over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until hot and bubbly.
These methods will ensure your buffalo dip is just as delicious the second time!
What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Dip
Here are some appetizers and mains you can serve alongside your dip
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Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup buffalo wing sauce like Frank’s RedHot
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- Green onions for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth
- Mix in buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, chicken, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese
- Transfer mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish
- Top with remaining cup of cheddar cheese
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted
- Garnish with chopped green onions if desired
- Serve hot with tortilla chips, celery sticks, or carrots.
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
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