If you’re looking for the perfect game day snack, party appetizer, or an irresistibly creamy treat to share, this Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe is your new best friend. Bursting with bold, zesty flavor and gooey cheese pulls, it’s an instant crowd-pleaser that’s as simple as it is delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The signature spicy, tangy kick from Frank’s RedHot and creamy ranch makes this dip completely irresistible at any gathering.
- Easy & Flexible: With just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients and simple prep, this recipe is perfect for busy hosts and beginner cooks alike.
- Cheesy Goodness: A mix of mozzarella and cheddar melts into the creamiest, bubbliest topping—each bite has gooey cheese and savory chicken.
- Prep Ahead Friendly: This Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe can be assembled in advance or adapted for slow cooker and oven methods, giving you ultimate convenience.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe rests in its straightforward, flavor-packed ingredients. Each one plays a key role—from creating creamy richness to delivering that signature zing, and of course, the signature cheesy pull that’s guaranteed to impress!
- Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless, cooked and shredded; the base protein that soaks up all the bold flavors.
- Cream cheese: Provides a melty, luscious foundation for the dip and keeps every scoop rich and smooth.
- Ranch dressing: Homemade or your favorite store-bought brand—this adds extra creaminess with a tangy depth that balances the heat.
- Hot sauce: Frank’s RedHot is classic for authentic Buffalo flavor, but you can adjust the amount to fit your heat preference.
- Freshly ground black pepper & garlic powder: Simple seasonings that layer in savory warmth and highlight the chicken’s flavor.
- Green onion: For a pop of color and freshness with just a hint of bite.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully into those cheesy, stretchy layers that pull you back for more.
- Cheddar cheese: Adds a sharp, bold flavor and gorgeous golden color on top—serious comfort factor!
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe is how easy it is to adapt to different tastes or dietary needs. Feel free to make it your own—get creative and try one of these delicious twists!
- Rotisserie Shortcut: Swap boiled chicken for shredded rotisserie chicken to save time (and boost flavor with those roasted bits!).
- Blue Cheese Lover’s Version: Replace ranch with blue cheese dressing and toss in a handful of blue cheese crumbles for a bold, tangy upgrade.
- Lighter Touch: Use light cream cheese and a Greek yogurt-based ranch for a slightly healthier but still creamy dip.
- Extra Spicy: Stir in more hot sauce, a pinch of cayenne, or even diced jalapeños if you want to turn up the heat.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Step 1: Cook and Shred the Chicken
If starting with raw chicken breasts, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the chicken. Cover, let cook for about 25 minutes, then remove and let rest until cool enough to handle. Shred with two forks or your hands—the pieces should be bite-sized, perfect for scooping and soaking up the sauce!
Step 2: Prep the Oven and Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9×9-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Prepping your dish now helps keep things quick when it’s time to assemble, so nothing sticks and cleanup stays easy.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Buffalo Sauce
In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the cubed cream cheese, ranch dressing, hot sauce, black pepper, and garlic powder. Stir or whisk constantly until the cream cheese has completely melted and the sauce is silky-smooth. Don’t walk away—gentle mixing keeps things lump-free and ensures every bite is flavorful!
Step 4: Combine Chicken, Cheese, and Sauce
Add your cooked, shredded chicken, chopped green onion, one cup each of the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses to the sauce. Fold everything together until the chicken is evenly coated, then transfer it into your prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the leftover mozzarella and cheddar evenly over the top—trust me, more cheese = more delicious.
Step 5: Bake and Broil to Perfection
Bake your Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe for 20–30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling at the edges. For that irresistible golden top, set your oven to broil for 2–3 more minutes—keep a close eye so it doesn’t burn. The result? Gooey, bubbly, lightly crisped cheese that begs for chips and veggies.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Let the dip cool for just a few minutes, then dive in! Pair with tortilla chips, celery stalks, crackers, or even wrap up leftovers in a tortilla for a Buffalo chicken wrap—every bite is pure comfort.
Pro Tips for Making Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
- Freshly Shred Your Cheese: For ultimate meltiness, grate mozzarella and cheddar from the block—pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt quite as smoothly.
- Customize the Heat: Start with one cup of hot sauce and taste—add more if you love that fiery Buffalo zing, or dial it back for milder palates.
- Prep Ahead for Parties: Assemble the dip a day in advance and bake just before serving. It makes entertaining a breeze with zero last-minute stress!
- Rotisserie Chicken Hack: Running low on time? Store-bought rotisserie chicken makes an excellent, flavor-packed substitute for boiled chicken breasts.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Garnishes
Add a generous sprinkle of chopped fresh green onions or chives just before serving. Crumbled blue cheese, a dusting of smoked paprika, or even a few sliced jalapeños can add a pop of color and extra flavor. These little touches make your Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe look inviting and tastefully balanced.
Side Dishes
The options are endless: think crisp celery sticks, carrot chips, cucumber slices, sturdy tortilla chips, or crunchy crackers. If you want to go all out, serve with soft pretzel bites or warm pita wedges for a cozy, shareable platter. Each side highlights the spicy-creamy flavors in its own delicious way.
Creative Ways to Present
For a wow-worthy presentation, try baking and serving your Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe in a hollowed-out sourdough loaf or bread bowl—guests can swoop in with hunks of bread as the party goes on! Or portion the dip into ramekins for personalized servings at a gathering. It’s equally stunning in a cast iron skillet, fresh from the oven with bubbly brown cheese on top.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Have some leftover Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe? Simply cover tightly and refrigerate for 2–3 days. The flavors get even deeper by the next day, making this dip a fabulous midnight snack or next-day treat!
Freezing
While you can freeze this dip (before baking works best), the texture may change slightly once thawed, especially with all the creamy cheeses. If freezing, wrap well for up to a month, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently in the oven.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in an oven-safe dish at 350°F, tented with foil, until warmed through, or pop individual servings in the microwave. Give it a good stir and add a little extra cheese if needed to revive that creamy, melty appeal.
FAQs
-
Can I make Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! After mixing all your ingredients (except the final cheese topping), transfer the dip to your crockpot and cook on low for 2–3 hours until melty. Stir occasionally, and just before serving, add that final layer of cheese and let it melt. The only thing you’ll miss is the golden baked top—but it’s still creamy, easy, and perfect for parties!
-
What’s the best way to shred chicken for this dip?
The easiest method is to use two forks to pull the cooled, cooked chicken apart into bite-sized pieces. If you have a stand mixer, you can pop the cooked breasts in with the paddle attachment and mix on low for super-fast shredding.
-
Can I use a different hot sauce or dressing?
Yes! While Frank’s RedHot is classic for an authentic Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe, you can use any brand of hot sauce you love—or even try sriracha for some fusion flair. Ranch is traditional here, but blue cheese or any creamy, flavorful dressing will work beautifully too.
-
How do I make this Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe gluten-free?
This dip is naturally gluten-free as written—just double-check that your ranch dressing and hot sauce are certified gluten-free. Pair with gluten-free chips and veggies, and you’re set!
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe enough for your next get-together, potluck, or holiday spread. It’s warm, cheesy, perfectly spiced, and guaranteed to make everyone smile. Give it a try, and let the comfort (and the compliments) roll in!
PrintAir Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe is the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer for any gathering. Creamy and spicy, with tender chicken and gooey melted cheese, it’s a guaranteed hit!
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts – boiled and shredded
Sauce:
- 8 ounces cream cheese – cubed
- 1 cup ranch dressing – homemade or store-bought
- 1 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot), plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup green onion – chopped
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese – shredded, divided
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese – shredded, divided
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Boil chicken breasts until cooked through, then shred.
- Prep: Preheat oven and prepare a baking pan.
- Warm the Sauce: Combine cream cheese, ranch dressing, hot sauce, pepper, and garlic powder in a saucepot until smooth.
- Combine: Mix chicken, green onion, 1 cup mozzarella, and 1 cup cheddar into the sauce.
- Bake: Transfer mixture to baking pan, top with remaining cheese, and bake until bubbly.
- Serve: Enjoy with chips, veggies, or crackers.
Notes
- Chicken cooking time not included in total.
- Leftovers keep for 2-3 days.
- Substitute with rotisserie chicken if desired.
- Use Frank’s RedHot Sauce for authentic flavor.
- Grate cheese for better texture.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties.
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave or oven.
- Slow cooker adaptation available.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 80mg