Best Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Add Preferred SourcePerfect for a crowd, this Buffalo Chicken Dip is great for game days, parties, or any gathering where you want to serve something hearty and flavorful. This creamy, spicy, and cheesy dip is not only easy to make but also utterly moreish. Whether served with veggies, chips, or bread, it will be the hit of the party.
Why You Will Love Making This Buffalo Dip Recipe
This Buffalo Chicken Dip is the perfect combination of flavor and convenience. Here’s why you’ll find yourself making it again and again:
- Simple Ingredients: The recipe uses basic ingredients like cooked chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce, ranch dressing, and blue cheese that are easy to find and often already in your kitchen.
- Quick Preparation: It only takes about 5 minutes to prepare and another 12 minutes in the oven. You can have a delicious appetizer ready in no time.
- Versatile Serving Options: Serve it with celery sticks, tortilla chips, or baguette slices—there’s no wrong way to enjoy this dip.
- Always a Hit: Known for its bold flavors reminiscent of buffalo wings, this dip is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- Easily Adjustable: You can tweak the heat level with more or less hot sauce, making it perfect for everyone’s taste buds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Dip with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Making Buffalo Chicken Dip is as easy as it gets. Here’s how you can make this delicious appetizer in no time:
Mix the Ingredients
First, preheat your oven to 180ºC (350°F). Next, in a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce, blue cheese crumbles, and ranch dressing.
Mix these together until well combined. The cream cheese should be soft enough to blend smoothly with the other ingredients.
When I’m mixing up everything for this dip, I always grab my largest non-slip mixing bowl so nothing slides across the counter while I’m stirring—this set has been a game-changer. It’s lightweight, stackable, and the grippy bottom keeps it in place even when I’m being a little aggressive with the spatula.
Transfer to a Baking Dish
Once everything is mixed well, transfer the mixture to a baking dish. You can use a standard baking dish or a pie plate, whichever you prefer.
Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. You’re looking for the dip to get bubbly and the top to start turning a delicious golden brown.
Serve
After removing the dip from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes. Then, sprinkle the thinly sliced green onions on top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve warm with your choice of dippers like celery sticks, tortilla chips, or carrots.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
- 13 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup hot sauce
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup blue cheese crumbles
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC (350°F).
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce, ranch dressing, and blue cheese crumbles.2 cups cooked chicken, 13 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup hot sauce, ½ cup ranch dressing, ½ cup blue cheese crumbles
- Transfer to a baking tray and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve with green onions.2 green onions
Notes
- Chicken: You can use rotisserie chicken, canned chicken, or freshly cooked chicken breasts. For the best flavor, I recommend using freshly cooked and shredded chicken.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing it with other ingredients. This makes it easier to blend and avoids lumps.
- Adjust the Heat: Feel free to adjust the amount of buffalo sauce based on your preference for spiciness. Start with a little and add more as needed.
- Extra Cheese: For a cheesier dip, sprinkle some shredded colby jack, cheddar cheese, or mozzarella cheese on top before baking. It’ll add a nice melty texture and rich flavor.
- Slow Cooker: If you prefer not to use an oven, you can make this dip in a crock pot. Combine all ingredients in the cooker and let it heat until everything is warm and melty.
- Serving Cold: This dip can also be served cold. Just mix all the ingredients, chill in the refrigerator, and serve—it’s delicious either way!
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the dip ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking. Just make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerate: Transfer any leftover dip into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay good for 3-4 days.
- Reheat: To reheat, simply place the desired amount in an oven-safe dish and warm it in the oven at 350°F until heated through. You can also microwave it for a quick reheat, but stir occasionally to keep the texture consistent.
- Freezing: While you can freeze the dip, the texture might change slightly upon thawing due to the dairy components. If you decide to freeze it, store it in a freezer-safe container and use it within a month for best results.
- Reviving the Dip: If the dip thickens up in the fridge, stir in a little milk or extra ranch dressing while reheating to bring back its creamy texture.
Nutrition
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
To make your Buffalo Chicken Dip a success every time, keep these handy tips in mind:
- Chicken: You can use rotisserie chicken, canned chicken, or freshly cooked chicken breasts. For the best flavor, I recommend using freshly cooked and shredded chicken.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing it with other ingredients. This makes it easier to blend and avoids lumps.
- Adjust the Heat: Feel free to adjust the amount of buffalo sauce based on your preference for spiciness. Start with a little and add more as needed.
- Extra Cheese: For a cheesier dip, sprinkle some shredded colby jack, cheddar cheese, or mozzarella cheese on top before baking. It’ll add a nice melty texture and rich flavor.
- Slow Cooker: If you prefer not to use an oven, you can make this dip in a crock pot. Combine all ingredients in the cooker and let it heat until everything is warm and melty.
- Serving Cold: This dip can also be served cold. Just mix all the ingredients, chill in the refrigerator, and serve—it’s delicious either way!
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the dip ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking. Just make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil.
How to Store Leftover Buffalo Chicken Dip
Buffalo Chicken Dip keeps really well, making it a great make-ahead option. Here’s how to store it properly:
- Refrigerate: Transfer any leftover dip into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay good for 3-4 days.
- Reheat: To reheat, simply place the desired amount in an oven-safe dish and warm it in the oven at 350°F until heated through. You can also microwave it for a quick reheat, but stir occasionally to keep the texture consistent.
- Freezing: While you can freeze the dip, the texture might change slightly upon thawing due to the dairy components. If you decide to freeze it, store it in a freezer-safe container and use it within a month for best results.
- Reviving the Dip: If the dip thickens up in the fridge, stir in a little milk or extra ranch dressing while reheating to bring back its creamy texture.
Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Looking to make some Buffalo Chicken Dip without breaking the bank? Here are three savvy tips to help you save:
- Buy Chicken in Bulk: Purchase chicken in larger quantities when it’s on sale and freeze what you don’t use immediately.
- Cook Your Own Chicken: Skip the rotisserie chicken and cook chicken breasts or thighs at home to save money.
- DIY Ranch Dressing: Make your own ranch dressing with mayonnaise, sour cream, and dried herbs for a more cost-effective and customizable option.
What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Dip
Pairing the right sides with your Buffalo Chicken Dip can turn it from a simple appetizer into a show-stopping spread. Here are some perfect pairing ideas:
Crunchy Veggies
Nothing beats the crunch of fresh vegetables alongside the creamy, spicy dip. Celery sticks, carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and radishes offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of the dip. Not only do they add color and texture, but they also provide a healthy balance.
Assorted Chips and Bread
For those who love their carbs, offering a variety of chips, crackers, and bread can make the dip even more enticing. Tortilla chips and potato chips are classic choices, but don’t forget about pita chips or even baguette slices. The slight saltiness and crunch of these options complement the creamy texture of the dip perfectly.
Other Dippables
Include some less traditional options like pretzel sticks, pork rinds, or even crispy chicken strips. These can stand up to the robust flavors of the dip and add an unexpected twist to your serving options.
