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 hot 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 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.
However, when I tried it for the first time at a friend’s party, 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!
Quick Ingredient 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 (see recipe notes below for exact amounts).
- 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.
- 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.
How To Make It, Step-by-Step
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!
How to Make It in the Crock-Pot
It’s easy!
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 4 to 6 hours, stirring once or twice during the cooking process.
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
- Crackers
- Celery sticks
- Carrot sticks
- Toasted baguette slices
Key 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!
- Greasy or Liquidy Dip – To prevent greasy, oily, or liquidy dip, make sure that the chicken is completely coated in hot sauce, that the cream cheese and ranch are completely mixed together and that you don’t overdo it with the cheese on top!
- 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.
- 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!
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 football watching or any type of party or get-together.
A total must-make!
More Favorite Dips:
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Hissy Fit Dip
- Slow Cooker Spicy Beef Queso Dip
- Jalapeño Popper Dip
- Pizza Dip
- Game Day Dip
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?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
[photos by The Almond Eater]
My boys loved this one!
The recipes just keep getting better. Wow, this was such a great recipe to try. I understand what you meant when you said usually you just eat honey barbecue or teriyaki. Sometimes the taste of the hot sauce on buffalo wings can be a little over whelming. This recipe was just right and I love cheese, so it was perfectly the right amount of each ingredient. Thanks for sharing!
If you search for crack dip, this is what comes up :) I like this dip, but for a muuuch lighter version I just mix cream cheese w/ the buffalo sauce. Not as fancypancy as this recipe but ppl love it and always ask where I found the dip :)
Years ago, my friend Laura made this dip knowing I would be at the party. I am known to be quite a chile-head, something I had in common with her husband. I was blown away by the dip so next time she came to my house she brought me the recipe. I have made it a couple of times since. I love it. It is always a hit when I make it. My husband is a huge buffalo wing fan and he loves it too. I usually make two kinds – one mild and one hot.
Did you say dip party? Count me in. I love ’em. In fact, I’m trying to get the idea to catch on among food bloggers. The next time I host a weekly Dipstock I’ll let you know.
Oh, and buffalo chicken dip is the best. A serious crowd pleaser.
So I saw the picture of this and thought it would be great for the upcoming Superbowl party I was going to – it was good, but I have a couple of things I’ll do differently next time I make this dish:
1. I won’t double the recipe – not necessary because it’s so rich (even when using light things!!) people don’t eat too much of it.
2. I would like to try stirring the cheese throughout the dip instead of just putting it on top – I ended up getting a thick layer of cheddar cheese that I had to pull off because I left it in the oven for the extra couple of minutes – if I had pulled it out at the 30 minute mark might have been better.
3. I won’t use real chicken breasts because:
a. It was pretty time consuming to cook the chicken breasts and shred them – I had to get the husband involved in the shredding process because shredding 8 chicken breasts (even 4 for that matter) really works the arms!! :)
b. I’ll use canned chicken because I don’t think people will be able to tell the difference after what’s gone into the recipe – delicious – don’t get me wrong!, and because I will be serving this to people that are drinking and paying more attention to the game on TV or to other sports related discussions or to their cards. :)
Got good reviews from people and will definitely make again.
I made this dip for my boyfriends family party and now I have to bring it to every family party. HAHA THEY LOVE IT! I even blogged about it :)
http://yvettelovespinkcupcakes.blogspot.com/2010/09/buffalo-chicken-dip.html
I definitely need to make this, my hubs loooooves buffalo chicken. He’d love this dip!
A dip party sounds like the best thing ever. Your friend is a genius! I’m going to be making this soon and I WILL have a dip party!
Holy Cow!!! Made this dip as a last minute addition to our Super Bowl Party menu, so glad!! This is seriously delicious :)
I made this for the Superbowl and it was a huge hit! I’m thinking the leftovers (and there were only leftovers because I made way too much food ;)) will be great on a baked potato for dinner tonight.
I put the chicken, hot sauce, cream cheese, and blue cheese dressing (my preference) in the crockpot and cooked it on low for ~6-7 hours. I mixed it up, shredded the chicken, and put it in a casserole dish and topped it with cheese. Super easy!
Made this for the Super Bowl today! Future hubby and I both LOVED it! It’s funny, he absolutely hates ranch AND cream cheese, but together is totally different. Neither one of us could put this dip down!
Your recipe inspired me to make a version of my own today for the Superbowl!
Looks delish! I’ll be tryin this one out today! Just found ts website today btw and love it!
This looks spool good! I cannot wait to try it!
This looks amaaaaazing and I am totally going to both make it AND have a dip party! Rock on!
I make this with sour cream and blue cheese crumbles – 1 cup sour cream and throw in a container of blue cheese…the best!!
oh man, my friend made this for a big party that we cooked for over last summer. it was a TREMENDOUS hit. i love that it’s so easy!
I host a similar party with my friends every year we call it ” Dip into Christmas” We look forward to it every year, and a version of this dip is always there!
This is one of my all time favorites! And, a dip party? Pure genius!
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!