If there’s ever a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any gathering—football party, holiday, or family movie night—it’s my Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe. Imagine all those crave-worthy flavors of classic buffalo wings, melded together in one bubbly, cheesy, and utterly scoopable dip that vanishes faster than you can set out the chips!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Speedy & Effortless: This Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe comes together in less than 20 minutes, making it perfect for last-minute gatherings and game-day cravings.
- Ultra Creamy & Cheesy: Cream cheese and two kinds of cheddar make every bite velvety, cheesy, and downright addictive.
- Irresistible Buffalo Flavor: With Frank’s Red Hot Sauce and a touch of garlic, you get that unmistakable tangy heat—without needing a messy pile of wings.
- Endlessly Customizable: Whether you love extra spice or want it mild, don’t like blue cheese, or are serving a gluten-free crowd—this dip flexes to your taste!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe is its delicious simplicity—every ingredient is chosen for maximum flavor, creaminess, or that signature pop of color. Each one works together to create the most addictive warm dip, ready for scooping!
- Unsalted Butter: Just a touch of butter is used to sauté the garlic and build a rich, savory base for the dip.
- Garlic (minced): Fragrant, fresh garlic wakes up all the flavors and makes the dip extra inviting.
- Cooked Chicken (shredded): Rotisserie or leftover chicken works fabulously, and shredding ensures each bite is tender and pulls up plenty of sauce.
- Frank’s Original Red Hot Sauce: The iconic buffalo flavor—zesty, bright, and tangy with just the right heat level.
- Cream Cheese (softened): This is what makes your dip candy-like smooth and luxurious when you scoop it!
- Sour Cream: Adds a cool, creamy balance to the heat, and makes the dip extra dippable.
- White Cheddar Cheese (freshly shredded): Choose a good sharp white cheddar for meltiness and bold cheddar flavor.
- American Cheddar (freshly shredded): Blended with the white cheddar, it brings color and a traditional grilled-cheese note.
- Crumbled Blue Cheese (optional): That pungent hit of blue cheese is classic in buffalo recipes—but it’s totally customizable to your guests’ tastes.
- Green Onions or Chives (sliced): For a fresh pop of color and a little oniony bite on top.
- Celery Sticks, Carrot Sticks, Tortilla Chips, Crusty Bread, or Potato Chips: These are perfect for dipping and add crunchy contrast to every mouthful!
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe is its flexibility. It’s amazingly easy to riff on, whether you’re working with what’s in your fridge or catering to special diets. Here are just a few ways to take it in your own delicious direction:
- Milder or Spicier Dip: Simply use less hot sauce for a gentler kick, or bump it up (even double!) for true heat-seekers.
- No Blue Cheese? Skip it entirely for a more “easygoing” cheese flavor—or use extra cheddar for hardcore cheddar lovers.
- Lighter Version: Swap reduced-fat cream cheese and light sour cream, or try Greek yogurt for a protein boost and a fresh tang.
- Make It Vegetarian: Use plant-based shredded “chicken,” and you won’t lose any of that crave-worthy texture or bold flavor.
- Mix Up the Cheeses: Add Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or smoked gouda if you want a new cheese adventure!
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Start by setting your oven to 375°F (190°C) and center an oven rack. Gather all your ingredients and have your cooked chicken shredded and ready to go. Prepping ahead keeps the assembly snappy and stress-free!
Step 2: Sauté Garlic & Heat the Sauce
In an 8-inch cast-iron skillet or any ovenproof pan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Toss in your minced garlic and let it become fragrant—just 30 seconds does the trick! Then, add in the shredded chicken and pour over Frank’s Red Hot Sauce. Let everything simmer until the sauce is reduced by half, which helps the flavors concentrate and cling to the chicken.
Step 3: Make It Creamy
Lower the heat, then stir in the softened cream cheese until it melts silky-smooth into the chicken mixture. Remove the pan from the heat and fold in the sour cream. This duo transforms your dip into an ultraluxurious, velvety base—seriously, try not to sneak a spoonful right here!
Step 4: Top with Cheese and Bake
Sprinkle both the white and American cheddar cheeses evenly over the top. Slip the whole skillet into the oven and bake for about 10 minutes—just until the dip bubbles around the edge and the cheese is completely melted. For that gorgeous golden finish, switch your oven to broil for an additional minute or two (but keep a close eye so it doesn’t scorch!).
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
The finishing touch: sprinkle on crumbled blue cheese (if you’re using it) and a generous handful of sliced green onions or chives. Serve your Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe immediately, flanked by all your favorite crunchables—celery, carrots, tortilla chips, crusty bread, or even potato chips for the ultimate scoop!
Pro Tips for Making Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
- Chicken Shortcuts: Rotisserie chicken isn’t just a time-saver—it delivers unbeatable tenderness and flavor in every bite.
- Room-Temperature Cheeses: Let your cream cheese and shredded cheeses warm up a bit before adding them—it ensures velvety melting with no lumps.
- Broil For a Golden Crust: That final broil isn’t just for looks—it caramelizes and intensifies the cheddar for irresistible flavor and gorgeous presentation.
- Keep Warm for Parties: Want dip that stays gooey for hours? Keep it in a mini slow cooker on “warm” or use a covered baking dish to keep it party-ready!
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Garnishes
The magic of garnishing is that it takes your Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe from delicious to “absolutely showstopping.” Sprinkle a generous layer of sliced green onions or chives for freshness and color, and add crumbled blue cheese for that classic tang—plus, a dusting of paprika or even a drizzle of extra hot sauce looks extra inviting!
Side Dishes
This dip was made for dunking! Nothing beats the classic celery and carrot sticks as a cool, crunchy contrast. Tortilla chips or potato chips offer salty, sturdy dippability, but crusty bread pieces are next-level—perfect for catching all that luscious sauce and cheese in every bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your party unforgettable by spooning hot dip into mini ramekins for individual servings, swirling extra hot sauce on top for a fiery effect, or putting out a “dipper board”—a big tray piled with veggie sticks, chips, breads, and even grilled shrimp. This Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe shines whether it’s center-stage or served family style.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Buffalo Chicken Dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so don’t be surprised if it tastes even more irresistible the next day!
Freezing
You can freeze the dip, but for the best texture, do so before baking. Spread the prepared (unbaked) dip in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake as usual for party-perfect results.
Reheating
Reheat single servings in the microwave (covered) in 20-second bursts until hot and creamy. For larger amounts, pop the dip in a 350°F oven, covered, until heated through—about 10-15 minutes. If it looks a little thick, stir in a splash of milk and bake for a few minutes longer.
FAQs
-
Can I make Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe in advance?
Absolutely! You can assemble the dip (just before baking) up to two days ahead, then simply cover and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve, bake as instructed and add the tasty garnishes right before bringing it to the table.
-
What’s the best chicken to use?
Rotisserie chicken is a go-to for both convenience and flavor, but any leftover cooked chicken works well. Make sure it’s shredded—not chopped—so it blends smoothly with all the creamy elements in the Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe.
-
Can I make this Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes! Mix all the dip ingredients together in your slow cooker and cook on low for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until hot and bubbly. Keep it on “warm” during your party so everyone gets piping-hot, melty dip all night long.
-
My dip separated or turned oily—how do I fix it?
This can happen if the cheeses or sour cream are too cold or the dip bakes too long. Gently reheat the dip and stir well; a splash of milk or sour cream can help restore creaminess. Next time, use room-temperature ingredients and avoid overbaking for the smoothest Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to share this Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe at your next party or cozy night in. It’s bold, creamy, and always gone in a flash—so don’t be surprised if you catch people scraping the dish for more! Give it a try and make it your own; every batch is a new celebration in a skillet.
PrintBuffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Baking
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that is perfect for gatherings and parties. It’s creamy, spicy, and packed with flavor, making it a favorite among both kids and adults.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup Frank’s Original Red Hot Sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup white cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
Garnish:
- 1/4 cup American cheddar, freshly shredded
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
- 2 teaspoons green onions, sliced, or chives
- 10 celery sticks, carrot sticks, tortilla chips, crusty bread pieces, potato chips, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the rack in the middle of the oven.
- Cook Chicken: In a cast-iron skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic. Add chicken and hot sauce, simmer until thickened.
- Combine Ingredients: Reduce heat, stir in cream cheese, sour cream, and top with cheddar cheeses. Bake until bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Top with blue cheese and green onions. Serve hot with vegetable sticks, chips, or bread pieces.
Notes
- If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet or oven-proof pan, prepare in a regular pan and transfer to a baking dish.
- You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Omit blue cheese if desired or adjust hot sauce for milder or spicier flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 95mg