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Buffalo Chicken Dip
This Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe is an easy classic that features three different layers of flavors including chicken mixed with your favorite hot sauce (I always go for Frank’s RedHot!), cream cheese, ranch dressing and, of course, lots of cheese!
One of my oldest, best friends, Beth, definitely qualifies as a genius.
Many years ago, a couple of days before Christmas, she invited a bunch of girlfriends over for a “dip party”. It’s absolutely as awesome as it sounds. Everyone brings their favorite dip along with the recipe to share. Seriously brilliant.
A small group of us sat around her kitchen island with bowls and plates of dip in front of us, sampling them all and chatting. It was such a great idea and a wonderful, low-key way for a bunch of girls to share some favorite recipes, hang out and, of course, eat.
MY OTHER RECIPES One of the stars of the show that night was this buffalo chicken dip.
While I love wings, I always lean towards flavors like honey barbecue, teriyaki or garlic parmesan. I’ve never been a big fan of the buffalo/hot sauce flavor so I was never compelled to make (or even try!) this dip.
Well, this is one of the dips that Beth contributed to her party and when I tried it for the first time, I loved it! I was sold immediately and had to have the recipe.
The combination of the hot sauce with cream cheese, ranch and all that cheese was just phenomenal. Plus, it’s EASY!
How To Make Buffalo Chicken Dip
There are three simple steps to getting this buffalo chicken dip ready for the oven:
- Combine shredded chicken with a bottle of hot sauce. Spread in a baking pan.
- On the stove, melt together cream cheese and a bottle of ranch dressing. Pour over the hot sauce-infused chicken.
- Spread a combination of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the top and pop it in the oven!
That’s all there is to it!
Recipe Notes:
- The Chicken – The original recipe calls for boiling and shredding fresh chicken breasts, however you can substitute canned chicken or use a rotisserie chicken to significantly cut down on prep time.
- The Hot Sauce – Use your favorite, but Frank’s RedHot is always my go-to!
- The Ranch Dressing – Many buffalo purists will not agree with using ranch dressing (I use Hidden Valley Ranch, by the way), and you can absolutely use blue cheese instead if you’d like.
- The Layers – This dip was originally written as a layered dip, but you can stir everything together before baking if you’d prefer. Some reviewers have mentioned that the layer of cheese on top is too thick and while I haven’t had that issue, it would be just as delicious with everything mixed together!
- Make Ahead – Prepare the dip up to one day in advance, cover and refrigerate. Add 5 to 10 minutes of cooking time when ready to bake.
- Crockpot Option – You can make this dip in the crock pot by adding all of the ingredients (cube the cream cheese), stirring, and cooking on low for 4 to 6 hours, stirring once or twice during the cooking process.
If you’ve never made it before, buffalo chicken dip deserves a spot in your party recipe repertoire. Everyone goes NUTS over it! It’s especially great for an afternoon or evening of football watching, or a New Year’s Eve party.
I made this a few weeks ago as an appetizer for Sunday dinner, and at the end of the day the pan was empty and the chip bowl only had crumbs left.
A total must-make!
If You Like This Buffalo Chicken Dip, Try These:
Four years ago: DIY: Homemade Velveeta Cheese
Five years ago: Tzatziki Sauce
Seven years ago: Salted Caramel Cashew Bark
Watch How to Make Buffalo Chicken Dip:
Did you make this recipe?
Buffalo Chicken Dip is an easy classic that features three different layers of flavors including chicken mixed with your favorite hot sauce (I always go for Frank's RedHot!), cream cheese, ranch dressing and, of course, lots of cheese!
- 4
boneless skinless chicken breasts
(boiled and shredded)
- 12
ounce
bottle hot sauce
- 16
ounces
cream cheese
- 16
ounce
bottle ranch dressing
- 6
ounces
Monterey Jack cheese
(shredded (about 1½ cups))
- 6
ounces
cheddar cheese
(shredded (about 1½ cups))
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, stir together the chicken with the bottle of hot sauce and spread in the bottom of a 3-quart baking dish.
In a medium saucepan, combine the cream cheese and the ranch dressing over low heat until the cream cheese is completely melted and smooth. Pour the mixture evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the cream cheese/ranch layer.
Bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, or until bubbling and browned on top. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with celery sticks, other vegetables, tortilla chips or crackers.
- You can substitute four (12.5-ounce) cans of cooked chicken, drained, for the chicken breasts.
- You can also substitute shredded rotisserie chicken (5 to 6 cups of shredded chicken).
- I recommend Frank's RedHot sauce.
- I recommend Hidden Valley Ranch dressing.
- You can substitute blue cheese for all of the ranch (or half of it).
- Instead of layering the dip, you can mix everything together.
- You can make this dip in a crock pot by adding all of the ingredients (cube the cream cheese), stirring, and cooking on low for 4 to 6 hours, stirring once or twice during the cooking process.
- This can be prepared a day in advance, just cover and refrigerate overnight. You may need to add 5 or 10 minutes to the baking time.
Nutritional values are based on one serving
Calories: 411kcal
Fat: 50g
Saturated fat: 19g
Cholesterol: 126mg
Sodium: 624mg
Potassium: 288mg
Carbohydrates: 5g
Sugar: 2g
Protein: 21g
Vitamin A: 18.8%
Vitamin C: 2.5%
Calcium: 31%
Iron: 4.8%
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
This recipe was originally published on February 1, 2011. Photos were updated in May 2017, then refreshed with updated and extensive recipe notes in September 2018.
[photos by The Almond Eater]
This looks so good! Like ridiculously good!
Oooh, this looks delish! I just made buffalo wings the other day, but I’ll have to try this soon. Thanks for sharing this great recipe.
Allrecipes has a modification of this dip for sandwiches made in the crock pot. If you love the dip, try the sandwiches! it’s a a great potluck dish and easy to make!
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Buffalo-Chicken-Sandwiches/Detail.aspx
It’s not Buffalo Dip if the hot sauce is anything but Frank’s. Ranch is NEVER acceptable for Buffalo anything, only blue cheese dressing. Likewise, no cheese of any kind allowed but blue. This isn’t buffalo chicken dip. It’s a sorry wannabe.
I’ve actually been to a lot of wing places and restaurants that serve buffalo chicken wraps with ranch dressing and cheddar cheese. And most places serve wings with a side of blue and ranch. I think it’s personal preference; a lot of people don’t like blue cheese (and actually, my sister is allergic to it).
It doesn’t matter what they serve them with, or what they call it when they serve it wrong, it’s still not “Buffalo Chicken” anything. And as for allergies, the blue cheese can be left off, but never, ever, substituted.
RELAX,RELAX!!! I didn’t hear anyone say this is a true authentic wing dip! Just a fun thing to enjoy and have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tomatoe Tomato, I didn’t know there was an actual “Buffalo Dip” Police or guidelines.
Michelle- thank you for the recipe. I made it for the game and it was a big hit! No one cared that it did not contain Blue Cheese or Blue Cheese dressing.
Keep up the great work!
xoxo
ohh yeah and I used a roasted chicken I picked up from the deli. Hopefully i dont get a ticket for not using “chicken wings” :)
It’s not that serious. “Do it your way” !✌🏿
It is an awesome recipe. The recipe that I have calls for either Blue Cheese or Ranch. I made it the first time with the Blue Cheese (even though I cannot stand Blue Cheese) and it was okay. LOVED it made with the Ranch. Don’t think it really matters…it’s just a name AND the flavor really comes from the hot sauce. Love the recipe and the blog!! :)
I feel bad for you and your obvious obsession with buffalo chicken dip :( you ok?????
Omg Bert, that seriously had me LMAO!
A dip party!!!! *swoon*
What a fabulous Idea!!! This is one of my favorite dips too!! But I use Blue Cheese.
This is one of my favorite dips! I like to serve it with blue corn tortilla chips that I sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles and pop under the broiler. Yum!
This is one of my favorite dips!
What a great party idea! A bag of chips, and a dozen or so dips is my idea of a perfect meal. This one looks like a keeper!
i use blue cheese. buffalo anything is best with blue cheese.
What a great idea for a party! I have to try that out one day. Also great dip. Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait for your other dips. this week.
Oh yeah baby! I make this too, except I use 1/2 ranch and 1/2 blue cheese dressing. YUM
This is what I’m making to take to our friend’s party, though slightly different. It’s my favorite!
I have been making this dip for years and it IS awesome!!! I am not a wing fan either, but love this. If you have blue cheese fans you can use that in place of the Monterey Jack and use Blue Cheese dressing instead of Ranch.
Oh my gosh, my family would go gaga over this. Cheese, hot sauce and chicken? Perfect party food!
This looks just like the recipe I have from Taste of Home! It’s a winner and everyone LOVES it. It’s super-easy, and people think you slaved all day… muahahah!!
Buffalo Dip has become a favorite for game day, poker night, game night or whatever!
Yummy!
Wonderful superbowl snack!
I love buffalo chicken anything, and buffalo chicken dip sounds like an amazing thing to enjoy while cheering on the Steelers!:)
I need to get invited to a dip party!!! Or maybe I just need to have one?
Dip party sounds so much fun ! What a great idea. Can not believe I have never been invited to one or had one. I bet it won’t be long before I have one. Great Idea
Great superbowl snack!
One of my girlfriends makes this dip and I agree it’s AMAZING!!!! If you haven’t already print the recipe and try it, RIGHT NOW. This dip is always being requested by my other friends now. IMO I think it’s better than eating chicken wings because it’s easier and less work (for those eating and easy to make in the crock pot which is how I do it and then just shred the chicken later) and their are no bones to figure out what to do with!
also after reading the other comments, I HATE blue cheese so I ALWAYS use ranch for buffalo wings and this dip. I really don’t think there is an “incorrect” way to make this dip…to each their own!