Buffalo Chicken Dip

The first time I brought this buffalo chicken dip to a tailgate, my friend Jake literally hovered over the baking dish until it came out of the oven. He kept asking, Is it ready yet, every three minutes like a kid waiting for cookies. The whole car ride there, the smell of buffalo sauce had already filled up my vehicle, and I knew I was in trouble when we arrived and people started following the scent trail to my trunk.

My sister in law was skeptical about the blue cheese component until she tried it at our Super Bowl party last year. She quietly ate three servings with celery sticks and finally admitted, Okay, I was wrong about this. Now she requests it for every family gathering, which is pretty much the highest compliment I can imagine receiving for a dip recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded: Rotisserie chicken works perfectly here and saves you so much time, but any leftover cooked chicken breast will do the job beautifully
• 225 g cream cheese, softened: Room temperature cream cheese blends so much smoother, so take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start mixing
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing: This tames the heat and adds that familiar creamy flavor everyone recognizes from chicken wings
• 1/2 cup blue cheese dressing: If you have guests who are firmly anti blue cheese, you can substitute more ranch instead
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar gives you the best flavor contrast against all that creaminess
• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese: Totally optional, but those little pockets of intense blue cheese flavor make the dip feel restaurant quality
• 1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce: Franks RedHot is the classic choice, but any buffalo style sauce will work beautifully here
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions: These add a fresh pop of color and mild onion flavor that cuts through all the richness

Instructions

Preheat your oven:

Set it to 180°C (350°F) so it is ready to go as soon as your dip mixture is prepared

Mix the creamy base:

In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, and buffalo sauce until everything is completely smooth and incorporated

Add the chicken and cheese:

Fold in the shredded chicken, half of the cheddar cheese, and half of the blue cheese if you are using it

Transfer to baking dish:

Spread the mixture evenly into a 1 liter or 1 quart baking dish, making sure the surface is level

Add the cheesy topping:

Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and blue cheese over the top for that gorgeous golden crust

Bake until bubbly:

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown on top

Rest and garnish:

Let the dip cool for about 5 minutes so it sets up slightly, then scatter those green onions on top

Serve it up:

Put it out with tortilla chips, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or whatever crunchy vehicle sounds good to you

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This dip has become such a staple at our place that my husband actually requested it for his birthday instead of cake one year. We sat on the couch with a bowl of chips, the bubbling dish between us, and watched movies until way too late. Sometimes the simplest celebrations end up being the most memorable ones.

Make Ahead Magic

You can absolutely assemble this dip up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it will be cold going into the oven. I have also frozen the assembled unbaked dip for up to a month, and it thaws beautifully in the fridge overnight before baking.

Serving Suggestions

Beyond the classic chips and veggies, this dip is incredible spread on a toasted baguette or even stuffed inside a baked potato. I have served it alongside a simple green salad to make a surprisingly satisfying dinner, and the leftovers reheat surprisingly well the next day for lunch.

Heat Level Hacks

The beauty of this recipe is how easily you can customize the spice intensity to suit your crowd. For a family friendly version, reduce the buffalo sauce to 1/4 cup and add an extra 1/4 cup of ranch dressing instead.

• If you love serious heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some diced jalapeños to the mix
• The blue cheese actually helps mellow the spice, so using all ranch instead will make it feel hotter
• Serve extra hot sauce on the side so guests can dial up the heat to their personal preference

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Every time I make this now, I think about Jake standing there at that tailgate, unable to walk away until he got his first bite. Good food has a way of bringing people together like that, and this dip never fails to start the best conversations.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ How can I make this dip spicier?

For an extra kick, you can easily increase the heat. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, a few extra dashes of buffalo hot sauce, or even a finely minced jalapeño to the mixture before baking. Adjust to your preferred level of spiciness.

→ Can I prepare the chicken ahead of time or use store-bought?

Absolutely! Using pre-cooked shredded chicken, like rotisserie chicken, is a fantastic time-saver. You can also cook and shred chicken breasts in advance. Ensure the chicken is cooled before mixing it into the creamy base.

→ What are the best accompaniments for serving this dip?

This versatile dip pairs wonderfully with a variety of dippers. Classic choices include sturdy tortilla chips, crisp celery sticks, and crunchy carrot sticks. For extra variety, consider serving it with slices of crusty bread, pita chips, or bell pepper strips.

→ Can I prepare this dip in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the dip up to 24 hours ahead of time. Simply prepare the mixture and spread it into your baking dish, then cover tightly and refrigerate. When ready to serve, remove it from the fridge 30 minutes before baking, then bake as directed until bubbly and hot.

→ How should I store leftover dip, and can it be reheated?

Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It reheats well in the microwave on a medium setting or in a preheated oven (around 160°C/325°F) until warmed through and bubbly. Add a splash of milk if it seems too thick.

→ Is blue cheese essential, or can I omit it?

No, blue cheese is entirely optional. If you're not a fan, you can simply omit the crumbled blue cheese from the ingredients. For a milder flavor, you can also substitute the blue cheese dressing with additional ranch dressing.