Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip

When it comes to crockpot Buffalo chicken dip, you may have to control yourself from grabbing a fork rather than using crackers—it’s that yummy!

Buffalo Chicken Dip has become a fan favorite for parties, game days, and lazy Saturdays. This crowd-pleaser combines shredded chicken, hot sauce, cream cheese, and either blue cheese or ranch dressing. The recipe finds its inspirations from 1960s Buffalo, New York, where Buffalo wings were first introduced at the Anchor Bar. However, the dip gained wide appeal in the 2000s as people sought easy and tasty dishes for social gatherings. This particular recipe uses a crockpot, which is as easy as it gets! Buffalo Chicken Dip offers the spiciness of Buffalo wings but in a more versatile form that pairs well with tortilla chips, celery sticks, crackers, or bread.

If you love Buffalo Wings and some sweet heat in your favorite dip, Buffalo Chicken Dip might become your go-to for every get-together. I’ve tried stovetop methods for this dip, which also work fine. Still, is there anything better than enjoying a warm dip that stays warm for the entire day? I guess that’s why when I see the word crockpot in a recipe, I always give it a shot. You’ll enjoy how everything just dumps in the slow cooker and then cooks on low for a few hours. And your guests will beg for the recipe.

Is Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Healthy?

While the mixture in Buffalo Chicken Dip is undeniably tasty, it does come with a high-calorie count, thanks to delectable cream cheese and shredded cheese. Buffalo sauce adds flavor, but it can be quite high in sodium. Vegans and vegetarians should skip this dip since it contains chicken and dairy products. Those avoiding lactose should also steer clear, unless lactose-free cream cheese and cheese alternatives are used.

While Buffalo Chicken Dip is delicious, it’s best enjoyed in moderation. If you’re mindful of your fat or sodium intake or adhere to a vegetarian, vegan, or lactose-free diet, consider either skipping this dish or modifying it. The flavors could actually be enjoyed without the meat, and using low-fat or dairy-free options as replacements could make this dip one that more diets could enjoy.

Why Ranch dressing?

Many Buffalo Chicken Dip recipes call for blue cheese rather than ranch dressing. You can easily interchange them and use whichever you prefer. Both work great. I prefer the ranch dressing recipe since Buffalo Chicken Dip is a very rich dish. Sometimes, blue cheese can get heavy and filling. I do, however, love the flavor of it. Another option is to do half ranch dressing and half blue cheese. I also find that if serving a large crowd, ranch dressing tends to please more palates than blue cheese. I also like the thinness of ranch dressing to help thin out this dip, which gets pretty thick with shredded chicken. So, either option is fine. Both ranch dressing and blue cheese make the perfect Buffalo Chicken Dip.

INGREDIENTS

3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
2/3 cup buffalo sauce
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup ranch dressing
1/2 cup green onions, sliced
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded, divided

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine

Mix chicken, sauces, and cheeses in slow cooker.

Cook

Slow cook on low, stirring occasionally.

Serve

Top with cheese, melt, and enjoy.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

I’m a big fan of making large amounts of any dip and storing it in the refrigerator for when I’m ready to use it. For this dip, store it in an airtight container once it has cooled, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can also freeze your Buffalo Chicken Dip for up to three months. Thaw it out and then warm it up in the crockpot again.

Can I add more spice to the dip?

Maybe you enter hot sauce-eating contests and prefer a nice sweat while biting into your favorite spicy dip. That’s cool, and I respect that. If you want your Buffalo Chicken Dip to have a bit more heat, add a few drops of your favorite hot sauce. You could add the hot sauce to your own dip bowl if other people are eating the dish. Another way to make any dip spicier would be to chop up a jalapeno and stir it in. How about a dash of cayenne pepper? Follow the recipe, but tailor it to your spicy needs.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! I often double this recipe because guests eat it like crazy (myself included). Fair warning: When you double it, you will have a very large amount of dip. It’s great for a large crowd. You can separate the dip this way into two or more bowls and place them around your gathering to make it easy for everyone to get a taste of the dip. Another great thing to do is to freeze half for your next get-together.

Serving Suggestions

You can keep the warm Buffalo Chicken Dip in a crockpot, plugged in on warm if you want to make sure it stays warm for your entire gathering. Or you can scoop it out and put it in a pretty serving dish or multiple serving dishes. To serve alongside the dip, I like to have celery sticks, carrot sticks, various crackers, and some cut-up Italian or French bread. Chunks of a nice hearty bread are really great for dipping into Buffalo Chicken dip. Some other options to serve alongside the dip are pretzel bites, bagel bites, pita pieces, or tortilla chips.