Buffalo Chicken Dip is one of those recipes I never plan to make just once. The first time I brought it to a game day party it disappeared before halftime and someone scraped the dish with a celery stick. That moment told me everything I needed to know. This dip hits fast with flavor and comfort and zero effort stress.
I have made this Buffalo Chicken Dip more times than I can count for family nights loud football Sundays and last minute get togethers. It is rich cheesy and forgiving which honestly is what most of us need when cooking for a crowd. Simple ingredients. Big payoff. No fuss.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crowd-Pleaser Energy: This dip vanishes at parties. It is bold, cheesy, and just spicy enough to get everyone hovering by the snack table. No leftovers. Just compliments.
- Ridiculously Easy: You toss a few ingredients in a bowl, mix, bake, done. No fancy prep. No complicated steps. It is the kind of recipe that makes you look like you tried harder than you did.
- Customizable Kick: Mild or mouth-on-fire? You control the heat. Add extra buffalo sauce or drizzle with ranch to mellow it out.
- Three Ways to Cook It: Oven, microwave, or slow cooker. Whatever your day looks like, there is a version that fits.
- Comfort Food Vibes: Creamy. Warm. A little spicy. Piled onto chips or celery. It is that cozy-but-exciting kind of flavor that brings people back for seconds… and thirds.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Shredded Cooked Chicken – About 1 pound. Rotisserie chicken works perfectly for ease and flavor.
- Cream Cheese – 8 ounces, softened so it blends easily and adds that signature richness.
- Sour Cream – 1 cup for smooth, cool balance to the spicy buffalo sauce.
- Buffalo Sauce – Half a cup. Frank’s Red Hot is the go-to classic, but use your favorite.
- Cheddar Cheese – 1 and ½ cups, shredded. Stir in some and save the rest for topping.
- Blue Cheese or Ranch Dressing – Just a drizzle on top after baking adds a flavorful finish.
- Dippers – Think Frito Scoops, sliced baguette, carrots, or celery.
📌 Note: You’ll find all ingredient measurements listed below in the recipe card.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Dip
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Get your oven warming while you prep everything else.
Step 2: Mix the base.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, sour cream, buffalo sauce, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar. Stir until smooth and evenly blended. You can use a spatula or hand mixer for faster mixing.
Step 3: Transfer to a baking dish.
Scoop the mixture into a 1.5-quart oven-safe baking dish. Spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
Step 4: Bake until bubbly.
Place the dish in the oven, uncovered, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. The cheese on top should be melted and golden, and the dip should be hot and bubbling around the edges.
Step 5: Finish and serve.
Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with blue cheese or ranch dressing. Serve warm with your favorite dippers.
This recipe is flexible. You can microwave it in a pinch or toss it in the slow cooker on low for about 2 to 3 hours. Either way, it’s ready when it’s hot and melty.
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
✓ Use freshly shredded cheese – Pre-shredded cheese has a coating that prevents it from melting smoothly. Shred your own cheddar for the creamiest texture.
✓ Let the cream cheese soften fully – Cold cream cheese is hard to mix and can leave lumps. Let it sit at room temp for 20 to 30 minutes first. It blends better and makes the dip extra smooth.
✓ Double the batch for a crowd – One dish goes fast. If you’re serving more than a few people, double the recipe and use a larger baking dish. You’ll be glad you did.
✓ Keep it warm while serving – Want the dip to stay hot and gooey all party long? Serve it in a small slow cooker on the warm setting. It’ll stay perfect without drying out.
✓ Add-ins make it your own – Stir in green onions, crumbled bacon, or blue cheese for a bold twist. A little extra texture or flavor can make it feel like a whole new dip.
Frequently Asked Questions about Buffalo Chicken Dip
Yes. Mix everything together and store it covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you're ready to serve, bake it as usual. You may need to add a few extra minutes if baking straight from the fridge.
The dip itself is gluten-free if you check your buffalo sauce and dressings. Just be careful with what you serve it with. Swap baguette slices for gluten-free crackers or fresh veggies.
Technically yes, but the texture might change after thawing due to the dairy. It’s best made fresh or stored in the fridge for a few days instead.
Plain Greek yogurt is a great substitute. It keeps the same creamy texture and adds a slight tang, with a little extra protein too.
You can. Drain it well and shred it with a fork before mixing. While fresh or rotisserie chicken has better flavor, canned chicken works when you're short on time.
Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 8 ounce cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup buffalo sauce Frank’s Red Hot recommended
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 tablespoons blue cheese dressing or Ranch for garnish
- Fritos scoops, baguette slices, carrot/celery for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, sour cream, buffalo sauce, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar. Stir until smooth and well mixed.
- Transfer the mixture to a 1.5-quart oven-safe baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly around the edges and the cheese on top is melted and golden.
- Remove from oven and drizzle with blue cheese or ranch dressing. Serve warm with your favorite dippers.
- Optional: Microwave on high for 5–6 minutes or cook in a slow cooker on low for 2–3 hours until hot and melty.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest melt.
- Let cream cheese soften fully before mixing to avoid lumps.
- Double the batch for parties—it disappears fast! To keep warm during serving, use a slow cooker on the warm setting.
- Add green onions, crumbled bacon, or blue cheese for extra flavor.
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