The Ultimate Creamy & Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip: Your Go-To Appetizer for Any Gathering
Looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s incredibly simple to make, yet bursting with flavor? This Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe is your answer! It’s famously creamy, utterly delicious, and comes together with just 5 straightforward ingredients. Whether it’s game day, a holiday party, or a casual get-together, this dip is guaranteed to be a hit.
*Recipe and pictures updated January 2019*
For those who follow my culinary adventures, you know my blog often leans towards delightful sweet treats. However, with the big football game season just around the corner, or simply a desire for a savory indulgence, I couldn’t resist sharing this spectacular Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe. It’s the perfect savory counterpoint to all the baking, and it truly shines as a centerpiece for any festive occasion.
What makes this dip so beloved is its effortless preparation. You only need five basic ingredients to create a rich, tangy, and utterly satisfying appetizer. Even better, this recipe is highly adaptable. You can easily adjust the type of dressing and cheese to match your personal taste preferences or what you happen to have on hand, making it a truly versatile dish.
This recipe yields a generous amount, perfectly sized to serve a group of 8-10 people. It’s ideal for a party where you want plenty to go around. However, if you’re hosting a smaller gathering or just craving a personal batch, don’t worry! You can easily cut the recipe in half. I’ve included specific notes within the recipe to guide you through this adjustment, ensuring perfect results every time.
Mastering the Art of Buffalo Chicken Dip
While buffalo chicken dip might not win any awards for its visual presentation before baking – let’s be honest, it’s a wonderfully messy concoction – its flavor more than makes up for it. The magic truly happens when all the ingredients melt together into a warm, bubbly, and irresistible dip. Let’s dive into each core ingredient and explore how it contributes to the dip’s fantastic taste and texture.
The Essential Ingredients: Building Your Perfect Dip
- Cream Cheese: The foundation of our creamy dip. I strongly recommend using full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature. This ensures a luxurious, thick, and incredibly smooth texture that holds up beautifully. While you might be tempted to use reduced-fat cream cheese, do so with caution, as it can sometimes result in a slightly thinner consistency. I advise against using fat-free cream cheese for this recipe, as it won’t deliver the desired richness and creamy mouthfeel. For the smoothest possible base, beat the softened cream cheese with a mixer until it’s light and airy before incorporating the other ingredients. This crucial step prevents lumps and ensures an evenly blended dip.
- Buffalo Sauce: This is where the “buffalo” in Buffalo Chicken Dip comes from! My personal preference and a widely acclaimed choice is Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce. It offers that classic, tangy, and spicy flavor profile that everyone expects. However, don’t feel limited! Any other similar brand of buffalo wing sauce will work wonderfully. You can also adjust the amount to control the heat level – add a little less for a milder dip, or a touch more if you love extra kick.
- Ranch Dressing: To balance the heat of the buffalo sauce and add another layer of creaminess, ranch dressing is my go-to. Its cool, herbaceous notes complement the spicy chicken perfectly. If you’re a fan of blue cheese, feel free to swap the ranch for blue cheese dressing instead. This will intensify the “buffalo wings” experience, as blue cheese is a traditional pairing. Once you’ve chosen your dressing, thoroughly mix it with the cream cheese and buffalo sauce until everything is well combined. Don’t stress if you spot a few small lumps at this stage; they usually melt away during baking.
Once you’ve achieved that perfectly smooth and flavorful blend of cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing, it’s time to incorporate the final two stars of the show.
- Shredded Chicken: The hearty core of this dip! I typically use three cups of shredded cooked chicken because I love every bite to be packed with chicken goodness. However, you can certainly reduce the amount to two cups if you prefer a cheesier, less chicken-heavy dip. To make this recipe even more convenient and quick, simply pick up a small rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store. It’s already cooked and seasoned, making shredding a breeze. Alternatively, you can boil or bake chicken breasts or thighs and then shred them with two forks or a stand mixer.
- Mozzarella Cheese: I choose shredded mozzarella cheese for its fantastic melting properties and mild, creamy flavor that doesn’t overpower the buffalo notes. It creates that beautiful, stringy, gooey texture we all love in a hot dip. If you’re looking for an alternative, shredded cheddar cheese works well, offering a sharper flavor, or you can opt for blue cheese crumbles to enhance the classic wing experience even further.
Assembling and Baking Your Delicious Dip
Once all your ingredients are thoroughly mixed, spoon the luscious buffalo chicken dip into an 8-inch square baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly into a single layer, ensuring consistent heating. At this point, if you’re a cheese lover (and who isn’t?), you can sprinkle an extra layer of mozzarella, cheddar, or blue cheese on top for an irresistible golden-brown crust. While I sometimes skip this step to keep it a bit lighter, a cheesy topping adds another dimension of flavor and texture.
Now, simply pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake until it’s perfectly warmed through and bubbling invitingly around the edges. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes. The bubbling is your cue that the dip is hot, melty, and ready to be devoured!
Finishing Touches and Serving Suggestions
You can certainly serve this delightful dip as is – it’s fantastic on its own! However, to truly elevate the presentation and flavor, I love adding a few extra toppings. A sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese adds a pungent, salty kick that pairs wonderfully with the buffalo spice. Freshly chopped chives bring a subtle oniony freshness and a vibrant pop of color. And for a final flourish, a drizzle of extra buffalo sauce right before serving enhances both the visual appeal and the spicy tang. These simple garnishes transform a simple dip into a gourmet appetizer.
The beauty of Buffalo Chicken Dip is its incredible versatility when it comes to serving. You can pair it with almost any dipper you can imagine! My personal favorites include crisp celery and carrot sticks, which offer a refreshing crunch and help cool the palate. Pita chips provide a sturdy and savory vehicle, while classic tortilla chips are always a crowd-pleaser. For other delicious options, consider serving with crackers, sturdy potato chips, slices of toasted baguette, or even bell pepper strips for a low-carb alternative. Arrange a colorful platter of dippers around your hot dip, and watch it disappear!
Pro Tips for the Best Buffalo Chicken Dip
Helpful Tips & Variations
- Cheese and Dressing Swaps: As mentioned, this recipe is incredibly forgiving. While I use ranch dressing and shredded mozzarella, feel free to experiment! Blue cheese dressing offers a more authentic “wing” flavor, and shredded cheddar cheese provides a sharper, nuttier profile. A mix of cheeses can also be delightful.
- Effortless Chicken Prep: To significantly reduce prep time, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is your best friend. It’s already cooked and wonderfully seasoned. Simply shred it, and you’re good to go! If you’re cooking chicken from scratch, boiling or baking boneless, skinless chicken breasts until tender, then shredding, works perfectly.
- Adjusting Batch Size: Need less? This recipe scales down beautifully. Simply cut all ingredients in half and bake in an 8-inch square baking dish for approximately 15 minutes, or until it’s bubbly and heated through. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning.
- Make-Ahead Option: You can prepare the dip mixture (before baking) up to a day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator, then transfer to a baking dish and bake when ready to serve. You might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.
- Storage and Reheating: Leftover Buffalo Chicken Dip can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave individual portions or warm the entire dish in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) until bubbly.
- Spice Level Customization: If you prefer a milder dip, reduce the amount of buffalo sauce slightly. For an extra fiery kick, add a dash of cayenne pepper or a few drops of your favorite hot sauce to the mixture.
- Add-ins for Extra Flavor: Consider stirring in some finely diced green onions or a touch of garlic powder to the mix for additional aromatic depth. Sliced jalapeños can also add a fresh, spicy crunch if you’re feeling adventurous.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
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Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (240 ml) buffalo sauce I use Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wings Sauce
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
- 1 cup (120 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese or shredded cheddar or blue cheese
- 3 cups (375 grams) shredded, cooked chicken
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray an 8-inch square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the buffalo sauce and ranch dressing and continue mixing until fully combined, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
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Stir in the mozzarella cheese and shredded chicken until fully combined.
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Scoop the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it around into one even layer. Bake for 25 minutes or until the dip is warmed through and bubbling around the edges.
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Allow to cool slightly, then serve, and enjoy.
Notes
If you prefer less dip, you may cut this recipe in half and bake it in an 8-inch square baking dish for about 15 minutes.