The Ultimate Buffalo Chicken Dip (Crowd-Pleasing Party Appetizer!)

Imagine the ultimate party appetizer: a warm, bubbling cauldron of creamy, cheesy, spicy goodness, loaded with tender shredded chicken and infused with the iconic, tangy flavor of Buffalo sauce. That, my friends, is the glorious, can’t-stop-eating magic of this classic Buffalo Chicken Dip. This is, without a doubt, the most requested, fought-over, and scraped-clean dip you will ever bring to a party.

I promise you, there is no greater feeling than pulling this golden-brown, bubbly masterpiece from the oven. The aroma alone is enough to get the party started. Every scoop is a perfect combination of creamy, spicy, and cheesy, with hearty shreds of chicken in every bite. It is pure, unadulterated comfort food, meant for sharing and scooping with your favorite chips and veggies.

Get ready to master the recipe that will make you a legend at every gathering, a dip so delicious and addictive, you’ll never have to worry about bringing home leftovers.

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Why This is the Only Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe You’ll Ever Need

You are going to be completely obsessed with how easy and incredibly flavorful this dip is. It is the king of all party dips for a reason. Here’s why:

• The Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser: This dip has a legendary reputation for a reason. It’s the first thing to disappear at any party, and everyone always asks for the recipe.
• Incredibly Creamy, Cheesy, and Spicy: It hits all the right flavor notes—the tang of the hot sauce, the coolness of the ranch, the richness of the cream cheese, and the gooey perfection of melted cheddar and mozzarella.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Shopping List for the Ultimate Party Dip

This crowd-pleasing dip comes together with a handful of classic, easy-to-find ingredients.

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Creamy Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip

This is everyone’s favorite party appetizer! This classic Buffalo Chicken Dip is made with tender shredded chicken in a creamy, spicy, and cheesy sauce, then baked until golden and bubbly. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any gathering.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 12

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 346

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts boiled and shredded
• 8 ounces cream cheese cubed
• 1 cup ranch dressing homemade or store-bought
• 1 cup hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup green onion chopped
• 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
• 1.5 cups cheddar cheese shredded, divided

Equipment

• 9×9-inch baking pan
• Medium Saucepan
• Whisk

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9×9-inch baking pan with non-stick spray. Ensure your chicken is cooked and shredded.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, add the cubed cream cheese, ranch dressing, hot sauce, black pepper, and garlic powder. Whisk constantly until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat.
3. Add the shredded chicken, chopped green onion, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese to the sauce. Mix well to combine.
4. Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking pan and top with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
5. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sides are bubbling.
6. Set the oven to BROIL. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching closely, until the top is golden brown. Remove immediately.
7. Let rest for a few minutes before serving with tortilla chips, vegetable sticks, or crackers.

Notes

Chicken Shortcut: To save time, use approximately 4 cups of shredded meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Shred Your Own Cheese: For the best, smoothest melt, it’s highly recommended to shred your own cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded packaged cheese.

Make Ahead: This dip can be fully assembled in the baking dish (before baking), covered, and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.

Let’s Get Dipping! Your Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to make the most popular dish at the party? Let’s get started.

Part 1: The Creamy Buffalo Sauce

1. Prep the Chicken and Oven: If you haven’t already, cook and shred your chicken. A simple poach works great, or for a shortcut, use a rotisserie chicken. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
2. Warm the Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the cubed cream cheese, ranch dressing, hot sauce, black pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Whisk Until Smooth: Whisk the mixture constantly until the cream cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth, creamy, and uniform in color. Once smooth, remove the pot from the heat.

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Part 2: Combine, Bake, and Broil

4. Combine the Dip: To the saucepan with the warm sauce, add the cooked and shredded chicken, the chopped green onions, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir everything together until it’s well combined.
5. Assemble and Top: Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella and ½ cup of cheddar evenly over the top.
6. Bake Until Bubbly: Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is fully melted and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
7. The Golden Finish: For that beautiful, golden-brown, restaurant-style top, switch your oven to the BROIL setting. Broil the dip for just 2 to 3 minutes, watching it like a hawk, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Remove it from the oven immediately.
8. Serve Hot!: Let the dip rest for a few minutes (it will be very hot!), then serve immediately with tortilla chips, celery and carrot sticks, crackers, or crusty bread for dipping.

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WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Buffalo Chicken Dip

These simple secrets will ensure your dip is the absolute best it can be.

1. Use a Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut. For the fastest, most flavorful dip, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is your best friend. The meat is already tender, seasoned, and easy to shred. You’ll need about 4 cups of shredded meat.
2. Shred Your Own Cheese. I cannot recommend this enough. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in starches to prevent clumping, which can result in a slightly grainy or greasy dip. Grating your own cheese from a block will give you the smoothest, gooiest, most perfect melt.
3. Room Temperature Cream Cheese Helps. While not strictly necessary since you’re melting it, letting your cream cheese soften a bit on the counter will help it melt faster and more evenly into the sauce with less whisking.
4. Don’t Walk Away From the Broiler! The final broiling step is what gives the dip that beautiful, browned top, but it can go from golden to burnt in a matter of seconds. Stay right by the oven and watch it closely.
5. Go for the Classic Hot Sauce. For that authentic, nostalgic “Buffalo wing” flavor, Frank’s RedHot Original is the undisputed champion. It has the perfect balance of flavor and heat without being overwhelmingly spicy.

Keep It Fresh! Storing & Reheating Leftovers

Leftover Buffalo Chicken Dip is a true treasure. Here’s how to handle it.

• Refrigerator: Once cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: The dip reheats beautifully. You can microwave individual portions, or for a larger amount, place it in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and warm in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes, until heated through.
• Slow Cooker Option: You can also make and serve this dip entirely in a slow cooker! Just combine all ingredients (except the topping cheese) in the Crockpot, cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Top with the remaining cheese during the last 30 minutes. This is a great way to keep it warm throughout a party.

FAQs: Your Buffalo Chicken Dip Questions, Answered!

Can I make this dip spicier or milder?

Absolutely! To make it spicier, you can add more hot sauce, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or even some finely diced jalapeños. To make it milder, simply reduce the amount of hot sauce and increase the amount of ranch dressing slightly.

Can I use blue cheese dressing instead of ranch?

Yes, and it’s delicious! Blue cheese is the other classic pairing for Buffalo sauce. You can swap the ranch dressing 1-for-1 with your favorite blue cheese dressing. You can also add some blue cheese crumbles on top before baking for an even bolder flavor.

Can I prepare this dip in advance?

Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead appetizer. You can fully assemble the dip in the baking dish, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready, just bake it as directed, adding about 5-10 minutes to the initial baking time since it’s starting from cold.

What are the best things to serve with this dip?

The possibilities are endless! Sturdy tortilla chips, celery sticks, and carrot sticks are the classics. It’s also fantastic with Fritos Scoops, pita bread, hearty crackers (like Triscuits or Wheat Thins), or slices of crusty baguette.

Final Thoughts: The Undisputed King of Party Dips

There is no greater feeling than placing a dish on the table and watching it become the center of the party. This Buffalo Chicken Dip is that dish, every single time. It’s a celebration of bold, comforting flavors that brings people together. It’s a recipe that’s not just food, but a part of the fun. I hope it becomes the legendary, most-requested appetizer at all of your gatherings. Happy dipping!