Buffalo chicken dip is the ultimate appetizer for any gathering, game day, or cozy night in. Loaded with tender shredded chicken, creamy cheese, tangy ranch, and the bold heat of buffalo sauce, it’s everything you love about buffalo wings—without the mess. Whether you’re scooping it with tortilla chips or spreading it on a baked potato, this dip delivers serious flavor in every bite. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to prepare with just a handful of ingredients. You can even make it ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake right before serving. Let’s dig into this crowd-favorite comfort food!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: 10 minutes of prep, 25 minutes in the oven.
- Versatile: Use rotisserie, canned, or slow-cooked chicken.
- Crowd-pleaser: Perfect for game nights, holidays, or casual parties.
- Creamy + spicy: A balance of heat, creaminess, and cheesy richness.
- Make-ahead friendly: Assemble ahead and bake when needed.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or leftover works great)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup buffalo sauce (like Frank’s Red Hot)
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
- Optional: chopped green onions or blue cheese for garnish
- Optional spices: ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder, cracked pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing. Mix until smooth.
- Fold in the chicken and cheddar cheese. Add any optional seasonings here too.
- Spread the mixture into a small baking dish (8×8 or 9×9 works well).
- Top with more cheddar cheese and bake for 20–25 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or crumbled blue cheese.
- Serve warm with tortilla chips, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or pretzel crisps.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Estimated Cost: $10–12
- Course: Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine: American
- Keywords: buffalo chicken dip, game day, cheesy dip
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approx. 4 oz)
- Calories: 282
- Protein: 14g
- Fat: 24g
- Carbs: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 73mg
- Sodium: 739mg
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Calcium: 138mg
- Vitamin C: 12mg
Tips & Variations
- Chicken options: Use canned, rotisserie, or leftover grilled chicken.
- Spice it up: Add jalapeños, cayenne pepper, or extra hot sauce.
- Cool it down: Swap ranch for blue cheese dressing for a creamier bite.
- Make it portable: Spoon into a foil tray for tailgating or potlucks.
- Try it cold: Let leftovers cool and use as a sandwich spread or stuffed in wraps.
FAQs
Can I make buffalo chicken dip ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the dip and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking.
Can I freeze this dip?
You can freeze it before or after baking. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until bubbly.
What are the best dippers for this recipe?
Tortilla chips, celery sticks, carrot sticks, pretzel crisps, or even bread rounds.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Equipment
- – Mixing bowl
- – Baking dish (8×8 or 9×9)
- – Oven
- – Spatula or spoon
Ingredients
- – 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- – 8 oz cream cheese softened
- – ½ cup buffalo sauce
- – ½ cup ranch dressing
- – 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese plus more for topping
- – Optional: green onions blue cheese, garlic powder, onion powder
Instructions
- ### Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Mix cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and ranch until smooth.
- Fold in chicken and cheddar cheese.
- Spread in a baking dish, top with more cheese.
- Bake 20–25 minutes, until bubbly.
- Garnish and serve warm.
Notes
– Make ahead and refrigerate, then bake when ready
– Use leftover or rotisserie chicken for convenience
Conclusion
Buffalo chicken dip brings together the best of creamy comfort food and spicy game-day flavor. Whether you’re making it for a party or indulging in a quiet night on the couch, this cheesy, tangy dip never disappoints. Serve it with your favorite dippers and enjoy every scoop!