This buffalo chicken dip recipe is pure indulgent comfort food at its best. It's a homemade marvel. Luscious layers of shredded chicken, creamy buffalo sauce, and scallions scattered throughout make this a sensational recipe that you'll go back to again and again.
So, if you're a fan of buffalo chicken wings and want to try something a little different, this recipe is perfect!
Why you'll love this buffalo chicken dip recipe
- The creamy ranch dressing is absolutely delicious!
- If you're in need of a little comfort food, it doesn't get much better than this
- It's the perfect game day food and will go down a treat with friends and family.
- This recipe is really easy to get right
Equipment needed
There are a few essential items you'll need to make this delicious baked buffalo chicken dip recipe:
- Sauce pan – a good quality sauce pan comes in handy for preparing your delicious ranch dressing sauce
- Baking dish – the central piece of equipment needed for making this buffalo chicken dip recipe, a good quality baking dish makes all the difference
How to make buffalo chicken dip
You need shredded chicken, hot sauce, cream cheese, ranch dressing, cheese, scallions and spices for this recipe.
Place the cream cheese, ranch sauce, hot sauce and spices in a pot.
Stir over a medium heat until the sauce is smooth.
Stir in the chicken, scallions and half of the cheese to the sauce.
Tip the contents into a baking dish.
Sprinkle over the remaining cheese and bake.
Bake until the edges are golden, the cheese has melted and the top turned golden. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Top Tip
One your buffalo chicken dip is fully baked, broil it in the oven for an extra two to three minutes in order to make sure that the the top is deliciously crispy and golden brown.
How to eat buffalo chicken dip
Let's take a look at some of the best foods to serve with this delicious chicken dip:
- Tortilla Chips: Chips and dip are a match made in heaven, so load up the tortilla chips for this recipe.
- Carrot Sticks: Healthy, tasty and with a satisfying crunch, carrot sticks are easy to prepare and the slight sweetness and freshness makes an excellent contrast to the chicken dip.
- Celery Sticks: Crisp and refreshing, celery sticks are always a great option when it comes to dips, but even more so with buffalo chicken.
- Sliced Bell Peppers: Colorful and bursting with flavor, sliced bell peppers are a great option. Whether they're red, yellow or green, chop them up and serve them with your creamy buffalo chicken dip.
- Pretzels: Salty, chewy and excellent for dipping that goes well with buffalo chicken dip.
- Crackers: Any kind of cracker will do!
- Bread: Go for crusty bread or a baguette... perfect as an appetizer at a party.
- Wraps: You could even use your buffalo chicken dip as a sensational spread for tortilla wraps.
Popular Substitutes
Chicken
- Substitute rotisserie chicken with poached, grilled, or baked chicken breasts.
- Use canned chicken for a quick alternative (approximately 2 cans, drained and shredded).
Ranch Dressing
- Substitute with blue cheese dressing for a different flavor profile.
- Use a mixture of Greek yogurt or sour cream and a ranch seasoning packet for a healthier option.
Hot Sauce
Substitute Frank's RedHot with your favorite hot sauce (e.g., Sriracha, Tabasco, or a homemade hot sauce).
Cheese
- Use other cheeses such as Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or Gouda for different flavors.
- Substitute with dairy-free cheese for a lactose-intolerant option.
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Variations for this recipe
Add some bacon
Add ½ cup of cooked and crumbled bacon to the dip mixture for a smoky flavor.
Add some spinach
Stir in 1 cup of chopped, cooked spinach or a package of thawed and drained frozen spinach.
Make it healthier
Use reduced-fat cream cheese, low-fat ranch dressing, and reduced-fat cheeses. Substitute some of the cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a lower-calorie option.
Make it extra cheesy
Stir in ½ cup of crumbled blue cheese to the mixture for a more intense flavor. Top with additional blue cheese crumbles before baking.
What is buffalo chicken dip made of?
The wonderfully creamy, rich, and delicious dip is made from various ingredients, all of which bring a harmony of flavor that's truly spectacular!
The centerpiece is the shredded rotisserie chicken, which is really the dressing. The cream cheese and ranch add an irresistible creaminess and taste-bud-tingling flavor, making it the star of the show. The hot sauce adds a little sizzle to the dish – you can add more or cut back a little, depending on your preferences.
A little garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and a few turns of the pepper grinder add an extra dimension to the flavor profile, making this buffalo chicken dip truly sensational.
Then, the top of the dish is scattered with scallions and a mixture of mozzarella and cheddar cheese. This cheese blend brings a fabulous final flourish and a wonderful golden brown finish, adding an element of excitement to the dish.
Where does buffalo chicken dip come from?
Well, the original buffalo chicken comes, not surprisingly, from Buffalo, upstate New York. It was popularised first by an Alabaman named John Young, who opened Wings ‘N Things in 1961 before Anchor Bar owner Teressa Bellissimo made special hot sauce wings a few years later.
As for buffalo chicken dip, the dish gained popularity throughout the state of New York in the early 2000s before taking social media by storm.
Can you use canned chunk chicken for this recipe?
I don't recommend it. Shredded rotisserie chicken is the way to go. It's far better quality, with a better flavor, and definitely better for you.
How do you stop buffalo chicken dip from getting greasy?
If you follow the steps of the recipe below, your buffalo chicken dip recipe shouldn't end up greasy. However, if it does, it could be a number of issues.
First of all, make sure you don't use too much cheese! My recipe calls for 8 ounces of cream cheese, together with (8-ounce) a cup of mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese combined.
Another key step is to thoroughly drain the shredded chicken to remove any excess oil. Also, be mindful of the meat you use, as darker meats can contribute to a greasy texture. Consider removing the chicken's skin as well.
Be sure not to overcook your buffalo chicken dip, even if you notice grease accumulating on top of your dish. Instead, use a spoon to skim any excess grease from the top of the dish.
Why is my buffalo chicken dip runny?
It could be that you've got the ratios wrong. When making buffalo chicken dip, it's crucial to stick to the measurements listed in the recipe below. That way, you'll get the correct consistency.
Another potential cause of the problem is using reduced-fat cream cheese. Substituting a full-fat cream cheese for a reduced-fat version often affects the thickness of a dish and, in this instance, leads to a runny buffalo chicken dip.
Storage Instructions
Refrigeration
- Allow the buffalo chicken dip to cool to room temperature.
- Transfer the dip to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing
- Allow the dip to cool completely.
- Transfer to a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags.
- Label with the date and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheating
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the dip in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.
- Microwave: Place a portion of the dip in a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated thoroughly.
More delicious dip recipes
If you enjoyed making this easy buffalo chicken dip recipe, why not try one of these?
- Muhammara – a Middle Eastern marvel, this dip is the perfect blend of sweet, savory and smoky sensation flavors
- White bean dip – quick, easy and healthy with a fantastic flavor
- Melitzanosalata – a traditional Greek dish that's based on eggplant, with a fresh, smoky flavor that's hard to resist
- Guacamole – this classic Mexican dip never goes out of style
- Roasted carrot hummus – fresh, healthy and full of flavor, this roasted dip recipe is so simple yet so effective
- Chilli and lime yoghurt dip – one of the most versatile dips you can make, this can be paired with anything from chips, nachos and crisps to vegetables and all kinds of canapés.
Even more dips to enjoy!
Print📖 Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 portions as a snack 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Spice up your snack game with this creamy and flavorful buffalo chicken dip recipe—perfect for game day or any gathering!
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken Dip
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded (approx. 12 oz)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup hot sauce (e.g., Frank's RedHot), plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup chopped scallions (green onions), plus extra for garnish
Topping
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped scallions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9x9-inch baking dish (or similar size) with non-stick cooking spray.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, add the cubed cream cheese, ranch dressing, hot sauce, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Whisk constantly until the cream cheese is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the shredded rotisserie chicken, chopped scallions, ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, and ½ cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese to the sauce. Stir well to combine.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese and ½ cup of mozzarella cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the dip is bubbly around the edges.
- Broil for a Perfect Finish: Set the oven to broil. Broil the dip for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the dip from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with additional chopped scallions. Serve immediately with tortilla chips, vegetable sticks, crackers, or enjoy as a spread for wraps.
Notes
- Poaching Chicken: If you prefer to cook the chicken yourself, you can poach boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the chicken breasts and return to a boil. Remove from heat and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Allow your chicken to poach, covered, for approximately 25 minutes. When fully cooked, remove from the pot and allow to rest until cool enough to handle. Shred the chicken with two forks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 444
- Sugar: 6.9 g
- Sodium: 1219 mg
- Fat: 32.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 12.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 1.3 g
- Protein: 25.7 g
- Cholesterol: 96.5 mg
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