When it comes to game day snacks, holiday potlucks, or just a cozy night in, few appetizers bring the crowd-pleasing power of Buffalo Chicken Dip. This creamy, spicy, and cheesy concoction is a guaranteed hit, disappearing quickly from any spread. It's the perfect blend of savory chicken, tangy buffalo sauce, and rich cheeses, all baked to bubbly perfection. If you're looking for an easy, delicious recipe that will have everyone asking for more, you've found it!
Why You'll Love This Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Our recipe for Buffalo Chicken Dip is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort. It uses simple ingredients you likely already have on hand and comes together in a flash, making it ideal for last-minute gatherings. It's incredibly satisfying, offering that classic buffalo flavor in a warm, dippable form. Plus, it's easily customizable to your preferred spice level and cheese preferences.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Dip
The magic of Buffalo Chicken Dip comes from a few core components: tender shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, tangy buffalo wing sauce, and a generous amount of melty cheese. We'll also add a touch of ranch dressing for extra creaminess and flavor balance.
Choosing Your Chicken
You have options when it comes to the chicken! For ultimate convenience, use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded. You can also boil or bake chicken breasts and then shred them. Even canned chicken, drained well, can work in a pinch!
The Best Hot Sauce
For that authentic buffalo flavor, a cayenne pepper-based hot sauce like Frank's RedHot is essential. It provides the signature tang and heat without being overwhelmingly spicy.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Dip: Step-by-Step
This dip is surprisingly simple to prepare, requiring just a few minutes of mixing before it heads into the oven. Follow these easy steps for a delicious outcome:
Serving Suggestions and Variations
The best way to enjoy Buffalo Chicken Dip is hot and fresh out of the oven! It pairs wonderfully with a variety of dippers. For a classic experience, serve with sturdy tortilla chips, crisp celery sticks, and crunchy carrot sticks. You can also use pita bread, crackers, or toasted baguette slices.
- Extra Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or an extra splash of hot sauce to the mixture.
- Blue Cheese Lovers: Crumble some blue cheese over the top before baking, or use blue cheese dressing instead of ranch.
- Smoky Flavor: A dash of smoked paprika can add a nice depth of flavor.
Whether you're dicing chicken breasts or chopping celery for dippers, a good <a href=
FAQs
What do you serve with Buffalo Chicken Dip?
Buffalo Chicken Dip is incredibly versatile! Serve it with sturdy dippers like celery sticks, carrot sticks, tortilla chips, pita bread, crackers, or even slices of toasted baguette.
Can I make Buffalo Chicken Dip ahead of time?
Yes, you can! Prepare the dip mixture (without baking) and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When ready to serve, spread it into your baking dish and bake as directed.
How long does Buffalo Chicken Dip last in the refrigerator?
Leftover Buffalo Chicken Dip can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
What's the best way to shred cooked chicken for this dip?
For easy shredding, use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Place warm, cooked chicken breasts in the bowl and mix on low speed for about 30 seconds until shredded. Alternatively, two forks work great!
Ultimate Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Diet: Comfort Food
Description
A classic, creamy, and spicy dip featuring shredded chicken, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and a blend of cheeses, baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (about 2 large breasts or 1 rotisserie chicken)
1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce (like Frank's RedHot)
1/2 cup ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing)
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Green onions, sliced, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8x8 inch baking dish or a similar sized oven-safe dish.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, buffalo wing sauce, and ranch dressing. Mix until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Mix everything until the chicken is evenly coated and all ingredients are distributed.
Step 4: Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Step 5: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top of the dip.
Step 6: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly around the edges and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden.
Step 7: Remove from oven, garnish with sliced green onions if desired, and serve hot with your favorite dippers.
Notes
For an extra kick, add a dash of cayenne pepper to the mixture. If you love blue cheese, crumble some on top before baking or serve with blue cheese dressing instead of ranch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dip
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
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