This easy Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe is creamy, cheesy, and packed with spicy buffalo sauce, making it the perfect appetizer for game days, parties, or any gathering. Made with shredded chicken, cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, and blue cheese dressing, this dip is a crowd-pleasing favorite that’s always a hit. It’s quick to make, baked to perfection, and best served with tortilla chips, celery, carrot sticks, or French bread. If you love spicy buffalo chicken wings, you’ll adore this irresistible dip.
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (or 2 cups cooked/shredded chicken)
- 1 cup Frank’s buffalo sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ cup blue cheese dressing (or ranch dressing)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prep Work: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Let the cream cheese sit out for 20-30 minutes to soften, then cut it into cubes.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a pot, covering them with cool water by about 2 inches. (Pro Tip: Add 1 chicken bouillon cube to the water for extra flavor.) Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. Avoid boiling at a high temperature to keep the chicken tender. Once cooked, shred the chicken using two forks and set it aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a skillet or saucepan, combine the buffalo sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder over medium heat. (Pro Tip: A cast iron skillet works great because it can be transferred directly to the oven.) Stir in the softened cream cheese and blue cheese dressing, mixing until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Cheese & Chicken: Reduce heat to low and add half of the cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Toss in the shredded chicken and mix to coat evenly.
- Transfer & Top: If needed, transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 10-inch oven-safe dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and the mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. (For a softer, creamier top, skip broiling.)
- Garnish: Garnish with chopped green onions or chives. For added flavor, drizzle small swirls of blue cheese dressing over the top before serving.
- Serve: Serve with tortilla chips, celery, carrot sticks, or slices of crusty French bread.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Buffalo Chicken Dip is the perfect balance of creamy, cheesy, and spicy. The combination of shredded chicken, tangy buffalo sauce, creamy blue cheese dressing, and melted cheddar creates an irresistible dip that’s perfect for game days, parties, or casual gatherings. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and always a crowd-pleaser!
Tips
- Softening Cream Cheese: For smoother results, allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before mixing it into the sauce.
- Chicken Cooking Tip: Adding bouillon to the water when cooking the chicken infuses more flavor into the meat. Avoid high-boiling to ensure the chicken stays tender.
- Cheese Melting: For a perfectly melted cheese topping, bake the dip uncovered. If you prefer a slightly crispy top, you can broil it at the end.
Variations and Substitutions
- Cheese Variations: Swap the blue cheese dressing for ranch dressing if you prefer a milder flavor. You can also use a mix of mozzarella, gouda, or pepper jack cheese for a different taste.
- Spice Level: Adjust the spice level by adding more or less buffalo sauce, or by using a milder buffalo sauce.
- Make it Lighter: Use reduced-fat cream cheese and a lighter blue cheese dressing for a lower-calorie version.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace the chicken with shredded cauliflower or a plant-based protein for a vegetarian version of this dip.
FAQs
- Can I make this dip ahead of time? Yes! You can prepare the dip in advance, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed.
- Can I freeze this dip? While it’s best fresh, you can freeze the dip before baking. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. When ready to bake, thaw overnight and bake as usual.
- Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken? Absolutely! Using pre-cooked chicken speeds up the process and works perfectly in this dip.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this Buffalo Chicken Dip with crispy tortilla chips for the perfect crunch.
- Fresh veggie sticks like celery and carrots provide a cool contrast to the spicy dip.
- For a heartier serving, try it with slices of crusty French bread or pita chips.
- Pair with a cold drink like beer or iced tea to balance the heat from the buffalo sauce.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
12
servings10
minutes40
minutesIngredients
8 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes
2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (or 2 cups cooked/shredded chicken)
1 cup Frank’s buffalo sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
¾ cup blue cheese dressing (or ranch dressing)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
- Prep Work: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Let the cream cheese sit out for 20-30 minutes to soften, then cut it into cubes.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a pot, covering them with cool water by about 2 inches. (Pro Tip: Add 1 chicken bouillon cube to the water for extra flavor.) Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. Avoid boiling at a high temperature to keep the chicken tender. Once cooked, shred the chicken using two forks and set it aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a skillet or saucepan, combine the buffalo sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder over medium heat. (Pro Tip: A cast iron skillet works great because it can be transferred directly to the oven.) Stir in the softened cream cheese and blue cheese dressing, mixing until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Cheese & Chicken: Reduce heat to low and add half of the cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Toss in the shredded chicken and mix to coat evenly.
- Transfer & Top: If needed, transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 10-inch oven-safe dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and the mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. (For a softer, creamier top, skip broiling.)
- Garnish: Garnish with chopped green onions or chives. For added flavor, drizzle small swirls of blue cheese dressing over the top before serving.
- Serve: Serve with tortilla chips, celery, carrot sticks, or slices of crusty French bread.
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