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]
This is sooooooo good. We love it. I don’t even need chips, just give me a spoon and I am a very happy woman.
Absolutely our favorite classic dip!! Always gets ate up, no waste.
I love the crock pot version of this dip! The hit of any party!
I love everything about this recipe!
Thanks for the mouthwatering recipe! My whole family loved it!!
There’s so many layers of goodness in this dip. Love it for Game Day!
This dip is so cheesy and good! Great for entertaining!
This is truly the ultimate game day dip! The cheesy goodness is amazing!
This is a favorite at every party we attend. Always a staples and the first to go! YUM!
I made this for a game night a few months ago, HUGE hit. I am always looking for way to make things early and easy. The night before I prep and mixed everything together including most of the cheese. Day of I put the dip in the cast iron and put the remaining cheese on top and baked. No fuss, no mess and everyone loved it, including my friends daughter who doesn’t like Buffalo wings. My husband keeps asking when I will make it again!
I think I’ve found my new favorite dip. Thanks.
oh the buffalo dip is amazing
Recipe sounds delicious! Tried to copy/paste it along with link into an email to my best friend in the UK & it absolutely would not let me copy link, recipe, nothing. I ended up painfully copying a line at a time by hand, then re-writing it into an email. Would you please elucidate as to how I might do this more efficiently for her for future recipes?
On a side note, she is visually impaired & no longer looks at computers much anymore. I can send emails she uses a huge font to view, so that is why the copy function interests me.
Thanks,
MG
Hmmm you should be able to easily copy the link and paste into an email. Or you can clicke the “Email” button on the left side or bottom of the recipe. I hope that helps!
When you say you can prepare it a day an advance do you just do everything it says cover it and put it the fridge and wait the next day bake it?
Hi Sam, Yes exactly!
I just made this & it was great! I have a 6 year old & a 4 year old who have never tried anything like this in their lives…and they loved it! What?!? 😁 I had a small amount of cooked, shredded chicken leftover from making chicken salad on Memorial Day. I stuck it in the freezer, not knowing what I would ever do with it. I saw this recipe today & I was like, yes!! I’ll make this! I defrosted the chicken just a little but in the microwave first, then mixed it with Sweet Baby Ray’s buffalo sauce. Listen, I love blue cheese. I mean, I LOVE IT. I’m not generally a huge fan of ranch, but I had some on hand & that’s what the recipe called for. I didn’t measure the cream cheese and/or ranch dressing, I just dumped it in. It was perfect! Thanks for a good, easy recipe that all my kids liked. 😊 #winning
What is the serving size for this please?
Hi Ashley, 10 to 12 servings (see the “yield” section of the recipe box above).
Tried this dip over the weekend and it is FAB!!! I also want/need to host a dip party. Love your site! Just moved to Pittsburgh from Charlotte, NC. I am already bewitched by the ‘Burgh!
Hi Ashley, I’m glad you liked the dip and welcome to Pittsburgh!! I hope you continue to enjoy the city! xo
Would mozzarella work in lieu of Monterey Jack? I have a ton of mozz, but no jack…
Hi Adrianne, Yes mozzarella should work just fine!
It was wonderful. My husband wants me to to figure out how to make a pasta receipe out of it!
Hi! This sounds so yummy and it’s my first time making it! Do y’all use Franks Red Hot Original OR Franks Wing sauce (aka buffalo flavor)? Thanks so much!
Hi Amanda! I use the Frank’s Red Hot Original. Enjoy! :)
You mentioned using the Hidden Valley Ranch Packet in place of the Ranch, so just to clarify, you just mix the ranch powder into the cream cheese? Does it still need to be cooked on the stove before going onto the oven?
Hi Samantha, Hmmm there might be some confusion because I’ve never used a ranch seasoning packet. I mentioned using the actual Hidden Valley Ranch dressing (from a bottle).
This is such and easy and good dip. Our family loves it. Thank you!
Hi Michele;
Is it okay to cut down the hot sauce by a half a bottle instead> I cannot eat real spicy or hot foods?
Hi Laura, I think that would work just fine. Enjoy!
If making in a crock pot, would you just add all the ingredients & cook for some many hours?
Hi Debra, Yes, that would certainly work!
This is WAYYYY to saucy! Total let down. The cheese on top just became a hard mess too. Ick
I’m going to have to try this one. I’ve made buffalo chicken dip before, but this sounds so much better than the one I typically make. And maybe I’m crazy, but I like to do half ranch dressing and half blue cheese dressing. I like to not tell people and then they wonder about that extra flavor it adds.
Fixed this for Thanksgiving as something different! The WHOLE FAMILY LOVED IT! Even those who don’t usually like slightly spicy foods!
Love love love it…..I used bleu cheese …fantastic!
I’m going to have to try this one. I’ve made buffalo chicken dip before, but this sounds so much better than the one I typically make. And maybe I’m crazy, but I like to do half ranch dressing and half blue cheese dressing. I like to not tell people and then they wonder about that extra flavor it adds.
Made this for a birthday party it was so good easy to make and gone so fast
If I am preparing this ahead of time should I bake it then refrigerate it or wait to bake it until right before I serve it?
I would assemble, refrigerate, then bake.
Fabulous recile. Leftovers (if there are any!) make incredible grilled cheese sandwiches.
OMG, I love that grilled cheese idea! Genius!
OMG. LISTEN, I’VE MADE THIS MANY MANY TIMES. IT’S AS IMPORTANT HERE AS MILK AND TP!!!
BUT…. CRAZY US….WE RECENTLY PUT IN CUT IN HALF, JALAPENOS, THE ONES IN THE JAR!!!
OMG!!! All those times we ate it naked, without jalapenos. HOW SAD!!! NOW, IT’S PERFECTION.
A LITTLE BIT SPICY, BUT NOT HOT….YUM
Can I make this and freeze and then take out a day before and bake next weekend? Do you shred your own cheese or buy shredded?
Hi Carolyn, I’ve never tried freezing this, so I couldn’t say for sure how the textures would take to freezing/thawing. I shred my own cheese, always, unless it’s for tacos, then I buy the pre-shredded :)
Thanks Michelle….I finished the German Chocolate Cake last night and I will send pictures after our get together today! Fingers crossed!
Mmmmm, I’d want to eat this with a spoon! Interested that so many people have said they would do it with blue cheese…I love it and it makes a nice flavour contrast with the hot sauce, the creaminess of the cream cheese and the richness of the other cheeses. Yum!
I’ve got a similar recipe that I got from my best friend. The one thing I do to mine is that I do half ranch dressing and half bleu cheese dressing. My friend did it because she didn’t have enough ranch and supplemented it with the bleu cheese. It’s my preference because I think it cuts down on the kick from the hot sauce a little more. I made it once for a New Year’s party at another friend’s house 4 years ago and her husband still raves about it.
I love Buffalo chicken dip, but I absolutely hate blue cheese. This looks fantastic, and would be great with ranch versus the blue cheese. I also like that you use “real” chicken and not the canned chicken. This recipe will definitely go into my dip/appetizer rotation. Thanks for another fab recipe.
This is such a great recipe. I made it for a Super Bowl party this year, and served it with cut up veggies. I use blue cheese salad dressing, but I know a lot of people don’t care for blue cheese. I had some left over and would eat it for dinner with a big bowl of veggies. So, so good! You always post the best recipes, and I have made many of them over the years.
Hi Michelle. Wanted to say thank you for recently posting a recipe for Boston Cream Pie. Baked it this weekend for my daughter’s birthday. Oh. My. Word. What a hit. The yellow cake was so moist & fluffy. (I whipped the yolks separately then folded in the whites). The pastry cream & chocolate ganache topping were perfect additions to cake. Thanks for a keeper!
This is a staple at all of my parties and get togethers. I change it up by using different hot sauces (Quaker Steak and Lube’s Louisiana Lickers is my fave), sometimes adding crumbled bleu cheese, or dumping the whole thing into my crock pot so it stays nice and melted for hours. It’s always the first dip to go.
I have made this before using other recipes, but this is the only one I’ll ever make again. It is perfect!! I bought rye chips for dipping, and YUMMM!! Thank you!! ????
I’m making this immediately! Thanks :)
Made this with great success, but is there a way to prevent the cheddar from becoming too hard on top (after it’s baked and too late to mix in)?
Hi Cathy, As you can see, I didn’t really have a hard layer of cheese on my dip, but you could always stir the cheese into the mixture before baking so it’s mixed in throughout, instead of just being on top.
I just made this dip for New Year’s Eve and it was a hit! Thanks for the great recipe :)
I like to use Tabasco buffalo sauce…or franks red hot buffalo. Try it.
I make this all the time – I use blue cheese dressing instead of ranch, and add some crumbled blue cheese in the mixture.. on super bowl, I accidentally picked up smoked blue cheese to crumble – and it was over the top – SOOOO delicious!
This is also great if you are on a low carb diet – I add some of the dip to romaine lettuce, shredded carrots, some chopped celery – no further dressing is needed – it is delicious!
OH – I’ve used canned chicken and that works – I’ve also gotten rotisserie chicken and shredded that as it is super easy too.
Love this dip! I’m making it right now! I’ve made it many times following the recipe exactly as posted and it is always a huge hit. I’ve passed on the link to many people and everyone raves about it. Love all of your recipes!
I’m making this to take to my friend’s house this Sunday! I’ll let you know how it turns out!
Going to make this tomorrow night, thanks for sharing. P.s laughing so hard at the buffalo dip police comments. Some people really need help! Lol!
I am making this dip right now but my question is: I don’t need to serve this dish until this evening and I have already prepared it except for baking it. Should I wait until I get to the party to pop it in the oven for 30 minutes or should I go ahead and cook it now and just heat it up later? Want to make sure it is done right. Trying to impress the boyfriend’s family. :)
Hi Evan, You could do it either way since you’ll need to heat it before eating anyway. I’d just wait to do it there, saves you doing it twice! Enjoy!
Featured this in my Food Trends article today, looks delicious! http://www.recipelionblog.com/food-trend-buffalo-chicken-recipes/