Buffalo Chicken Dip
This Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe is an easy classic that features three different layers of flavors including chicken (use canned or rotisserie!) mixed with your favorite buffalo sauce (I always go for Frank’s RedHot!), cream cheese, ranch dressing and, of course, lots of cheese!
While I love wings, I always lean toward flavors like honey barbecue, teriyaki, or garlic parmesan. I’ve never been a big fan of the buffalo wings so I was never compelled to make (or even try!) this dip.
However, when I tried this buffalo dip recipe for the first time at a friend’s party over 10 years ago, I loved it! I was sold immediately and had to have the recipe. It’s a perfect anytime party appetizer, game day appetizer, and I guarantee it will be on repeat during football season.
The combination of the hot sauce with cream cheese, ranch, and all that cheese was just phenomenal. Plus, it’s EASY!
The Ingredients
- Chicken – My friend’s 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 (see recipe notes below for exact amounts).
- Buffalo Sauce – Use your favorite, but Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce is always my go-to!
- 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 dressing instead if you’d like.
- Cream Cheese – If you prefer to make this without cream cheese, you can substitute sour cream or Greek yogurt. No need to melt it, simply whisk or stir it into the ranch dressing.
- Cheese – I use a combination of sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey jack, but you can use any combination of your favorites – mozzarella cheese, blue cheese crumbles, Colby jack, pepper jack.
Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip
Baking it in the oven is how the original recipe is written. There are three simple steps for making it this way:
- 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!
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Making this dip in the crock pot is a fantastic way for serving it at a party or for a big crowd.
Simply add all of the ingredients (cube the cream cheese) to a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker, stir to combine, and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, stirring once or twice, then switch to the keep warm setting.
What to Serve With It
If you’re wondering what goes well with buffalo chicken dip or what to dip into it, the possibilities are endless! Here are some of our favorites:
- Tortilla chips
- Potato chips
- Fritos scoops
- Crackers
- Veggies (celery sticks and carrot sticks are a favorite)
- Toasted baguette slices
- Top with sliced green onion or chives for an extra pop of color
Recipe Tips
- 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.
- Storing Leftovers: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove over low heat. You can also use leftover dip as a filling for some amazing quesadillas, sandwiches, and sliders!
- Freezing: You can freeze this dip for up to 3 months in an airtight container or in a baking dish covered tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then cook as desired in the oven (remove coverings) or transfer everything to the slow cooker.
If you’ve never made it before, and even if you don’t care for buffalo chicken wings, I beg you to give this a try! It deserves a spot in your party recipe repertoire. Everyone goes NUTS over it! It’s especially great for watching sports, a Super Bowl party, or any type of party or get-together.
More Favorite Dips:
Watch How to Make Buffalo Chicken Dip:
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Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, boiled and shredded
- 12 ounce bottle hot sauce
- 16 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 16 ounce bottle ranch dressing
- 6 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (about 1½ cups)
- 6 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1½ cups)
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
- Chicken: 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).
- Hot Sauce: Use your favorite; I recommend Frank’s RedHot sauce.
- Ranch Dressing: I recommend Hidden Valley Ranch dressing. You can substitute blue cheese for all of the ranch (or half of it).
- Cream Cheese – If you prefer to make this without cream cheese, you can substitute sour cream or Greek yogurt. No need to melt it, simply whisk or stir it into the ranch dressing.
- Layering: Instead of layering the dip, you can mix everything together.
- How to Make in Crock Pot: 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.
- What to Serve With It: Favorite dippers include tortilla chips, potato chips, crackers, baguettes, celery sticks, and carrot sticks.
- Make-Ahead: 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.
- Leftovers – Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove over low heat. You can also use leftover dip as a filling for some amazing quesadillas, sandwiches, and sliders!
Did you make this recipe?
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[photos by The Almond Eater]
This looks amazing. What hot sauce would you recommend using?
Hi Rachel – I use Frank’s hot sauce.
Um, yes please? I would like some of this dip. It’s now on the menu for a get-together I’m having this weekend. :D
Also – GO PENS!!! (From a fan in St. Louis)
Lisa
Yay, GO PENS! I’m going to the game tonight :)
OMG, goalie fight! >_< My husband and I were watching on TV and our jaws dropped when we saw Johnson coming across the ice, and then DePietro (?) dropping his gloves too. Best game I've seen in a while, just for that. Lucky you, actually being there! :)
Honestly, that was one of the best hockey moments I have seen live. It was insane, the crowd went nuts. They fought right in front of our section. I was watching the scrum and then saw Johnny come flying down the ice. One punch knockout? Pure awesomeness.
Wow, one punch knockout is being praised? Here in Oz it’s now against the law and there are advertising campaigns warning against it. I know hockey is a sport prone to fights (I grew up in Canada) but this acceptance of it normalises it and makes it seem OK. I’m not sure this is the best example or best message to send to young people.
My husband makes a very similar dip and it’s divine!!! Will definitely be making it this weekend :)
Ok, I could dive right in and not come out until it was all gone! YUM! I have a favorite brand of garlic wing sauce that is whispering to me … “Use me in this … do it!” I just may!
Ahhh, the quintessential western Pa dip! I love it!
I am a sucker for dips – wish I was at that party with you! Your dip sounds really good – would go really good with those pretzels I am planning to make for game day :).
OMG i know a similar recipe that uses Blue Cheese Dressing but basically it is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! Yours looks fantastic as well, I absolutely love it, for anyone hesitant to try this out: throw caution to the wind and do it!
Love the idea of a dip party! How fun!
I love this dip and I always eat too much of it. Guess that’s what treadmills are for!
They serve this at Pearl Street Grill in Buffalo and it’s my favorite appetizer! Yum! Ranch sounds like a good choice, because that much blue cheese would be super overpowering. I like this recipe!
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!