Buffalo Chicken Dip – Creamy + Easy! (VIDEO)

4.98 from 87 votes
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Creamy, just a little bit spicy, cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip – is there anything better? I love my Game Day food, especially Dips, and a classic Buffalo Chicken Dip is hard to beat! It can be made ahead, reheats well, feeds a crowd, and is always the first thing to be eaten – you need to try my version!

Scooping Buffalo Chicken Dip with chips

Watch the Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe Video Below!

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The best part about game days is the food and my weakness is dips – I love a good Spinach and Artichoke Dip, or my fusion take on the Chinese takeout classic Crab Rangoon Dip. For seafood lovers, it doesn’t get better than Baked Crab Dip! If you want to have the best Queso Dip of your life, you need to try my recipe! For my Korean BBQ fans, you cannot forget about Korean Cheese Corn!!

Close Up of Buffalo Chicken Dip with chips and vegetables

Ingredients

Not only is Buffalo Chicken super easy to make but you only need a handful of ingredients, most that you already have in your pantry! This is a perfect appetizer before a main course, like my delicious Braised Short Ribs!

  • shredded chicken breast- see notes above on chicken
  • hot sauce – I always use Frank’s! You can substitute with a different hot sauce/buffalo sauce, if you prefer.
  • ranch dressing – You can substitute with blue cheese, if you prefer! I personally like using ranch and this is how I’ve made this recipe for over 10 years. The beauty of cooking is that you should always customize to your preference!
  • softened cream cheese – Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing your ingredients! This will allow for a creamier mixture.
    • If you have a handheld or stand mixer, either can be helpful when mixing but not absolutely necessary!
  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • shredded mozzarella cheese
  • black pepper
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • paprika
  • scallions

Balance out the creaminess and richness of the dip with Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts!

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

You can use any kind of chicken you like!

  • I personally like to use poached chicken breast, which I shred after cooling.
  • You can cook your chicken breast any way you prefer!
  • You can even use store bought rotisserie chicken – any part of the chicken meat will work for this recipe!
  • Some people use canned chicken, which is absolutely fine!

Have leftover chicken? Make my easy Fried Chicken!

Key Tip

How to Poach Chicken Breast

If you want to poach chicken breast for Buffalo Chicken Dip, just like I do, here is my foolproof method to poaching juicy, delicious chicken –

  • Take a medium pot and fill with cold water – you want to have at least 2 cups of water per each chicken breast (so add 2 cups for each additional chicken breast)
  • Add salt and bring to a boil
  • Add your raw chicken breasts to the boiling water, cover, and immediately take off the heat.
  • Let it sit for at least 10-20 minutes.
  • Use a probe thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken breasts – it should read at least 145F to be safe for consumption.
  • Once it hits 145F, pull your chicken breast(s) out and place on a cutting board to rest for 5 minutes.

I like to shred my chicken with two forks; you can also use a stand mixer.

Recipe Instructions

1. Mix the Ingredients

Pre-heat your oven to 400F.

In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, hot sauce, ranch, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper until smooth.

Shredded chicken with cheese and scallions in a metal bowl.

KEY TIP

Softened Cream Cheese!

My key tip here is to use softened cream cheese prior to mixing – take out your cream cheese from the refrigerator and let it sit on your counter for at least 5-10 minutes before mixing.

Once the ingredients are mixed and is relatively smooth, add the shredded chicken, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, and scallions; fold it all in together to form your pre-baked Buffalo Chicken Dip.

If you are making this chicken dip ahead of time, cover at this point and store in the refrigerator until it’s time to bake.

2. Transfer the Dip to an Oven-Safe Container

Transfer the mixed dip (cheese, chicken, and scallions folded in) to an OVEN-SAFE dish and spread as evenly as possible.

Top with more shredded cheese and the dip is now ready to be baked!

3. Bake Buffalo Chicken Dip until Golden Brown

Place your Buffalo Chicken Dip in your preheated 400F oven.

Bake the dip for about 15-20 minutes; the cheddar cheese topping should be melting and bubbling when done.

Pull your baked Buffalo Chicken Dip out of the oven.

OPTIONAL – top your dip with additional chopped scallions and serve!

Close Up of Buffalo Chicken Dip with chips and vegetables

PRO TIPS

Expert Tips for the BEST Buffalo Chicken Dip!

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

  • I personally like to use poached chicken breast, but you can cook your chicken breast any way you prefer! There is a ton of seasoning in the recipe along with the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and hot sauce which the chicken will all absorb beautifully!
  • For a quick and easy hack, use store bought rotisserie chicken or canned chicken.
  • You’ll be shredding the cooked chicken for this recipe.

How to Poach Chicken Breast

  • Take a medium pot and fill with cold water – 2 cups of water per chicken breast.
  • Add salt and bring to a boil; add your raw chicken breasts to the boiling water, cover, and immediately take off the heat.
  • Let it sit for at least 10-20 minutes.
  • Use a probe thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken breasts – it should read at least 145F to be safe for consumption.
  • Once it hits 145F, pull your chicken breast(s) out and place on a cutting board to rest for 5 minutes before shredding.

Use Softened Cream Cheese

For an easier time mixing your Buffalo Chicken Dip ingredients, use softened cream cheese. I like to pull my cream cheese out of the refrigerator at least 5-10 minutes before mixing. Doing so helps the cream cheese soften and reach room temperature, which makes it easier to mix with the other ingredients.

Storage and Reheating

If you are making this dip ahead of time:

  • After Step #1, cover the mixed dip ingredients with saran wrap (or in an airtight container) and place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • When you’re ready to bake your Buffalo Chicken Dip, resume Step #2.

If you have leftover Buffalo Chicken Dip, you can store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

You can reheat any leftovers in the microwave or in the oven – this is up to your preference!

What Should I Serve with Buffalo Chicken Dip?

Buffalo Chicken Dip is so delicious, I think you can literally eat it with a spoon! But if you need ideas of what to serve it with, you can try:

  • Tortilla chips or corn chips (my absolute favorite!)
  • Toasted baguette slices or mild crackers
  • Pretzels or pretzel thins – you may find that this is too much salt
  • Celery sticks, carrot sticks, or cucumber spears
  • Sliced radishes or bell peppers

The options are limitless!

Other Game Day Food

If you’re having a game day get together and need more ideas on what to serve with Buffalo Chicken Dip, here are some suggestions!

Game Day isn’t Game Day without chicken wings – and you know I love my chicken wings!

If you tried this Buffalo Chicken Dip or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!

4.98 from 87 votes

Buffalo Chicken Dip (Video)

Servings: 6
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Close Up of Buffalo Chicken Dip with chips and vegetables
This Buffalo Chicken Dip is perfect for any party or appetizer spread! It's creamy, cheesy and full of flavor just begging to be dipped!

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, hot sauce, ranch, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper until smooth.
  • Fold in chopped scallions, chicken, cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Spread dip evenly in an oven safe dish.
  • Top with 1/4 cup cheddar and 1/4 cup mozzarella and bake at 400F for 15-20 minutes until bubbling and cheese has browned.
  • Serve immediately with your favorite chips, vegetables, or crackers and enjoy!

Notes

KEY TIPS
What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?
  • I personally like to use poached chicken breast, but you can cook your chicken breast any way you prefer! There is a ton of seasoning in the recipe along with the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and hot sauce which the chicken will all absorb beautifully!
  • For a quick and easy hack, use store bought rotisserie chicken or canned chicken.
  • You’ll be shredding the cooked chicken for this recipe.
How to Poach Chicken Breast
  • Take a medium pot and fill with cold water – 2 cups of water per chicken breast.
  • Add salt and bring to a boil; add your raw chicken breasts to the boiling water, cover, and immediately take off the heat.
  • Let it sit for at least 10-20 minutes.
  • Use a probe thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken breasts – it should read at least 145F to be safe for consumption.
  • Once it hits 145F, pull your chicken breast(s) out and place on a cutting board to rest for 5 minutes before shredding.
Use Softened Cream Cheese
For an easier time mixing your Buffalo Chicken Dip ingredients, use softened cream cheese. I like to pull my cream cheese out of the refrigerator at least 5-10 minutes before mixing. Doing so helps the cream cheese soften and reach room temperature, which makes it easier to mix with the other ingredients.

Making in Advance, Storage, and Reheating

If you are making this dip ahead of time:
  • After Step #1, cover the mixed dip ingredients with saran wrap (or in an airtight container) and place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • When you’re ready to bake your Buffalo Chicken Dip, resume Step #2.
If you have leftover Buffalo Chicken Dip, you can store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
You can reheat any leftovers in the microwave or in the oven – this is up to your preference!

Nutrition

Calories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 20gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 1067mgPotassium: 318mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 881IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 222mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @cj.eats_ or tag #cjeatsrecipes!

About CJ

Iโ€™m a third generation Chinese-American home cook who has always loved cooking & eating! Welcome to my food blog, where you can find trusted, tested, easy & approachable recipes for the everyday home cook that taste delicious! I am so glad you're here!

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4.98 from 87 votes (33 ratings without comment)

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58 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Not usually a fan of buffalo flavoured anything but love this dip! Great for when friends come over or for potlucks.

    @michelle_quay