Nothing beats that spicy, cheesy goodness that melts in your mouth—this Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe is exactly that. It’s the ultimate game-day treat or party starter that everyone can’t stop reaching for once the first scoop is gone.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made dozens of buffalo dips over the years, but this one instantly became a keeper for me. What sets it apart is how creamy and perfectly balanced it is—there’s heat from the Frank’s RedHot buffalo wings sauce, but it’s never overpowering, thanks to the luscious cream cheese and sharp cheddar.
- Bold & Balanced Flavor: The mix of spices and blue cheese gives it a rich, tangy kick you won't forget.
- Crockpot Convenience: Just throw it all together, set it, and relax while it slowly turns into magic.
- Super Creamy Texture: Thanks to the combo of full-fat sour cream, cream cheese, and melty shredded cheeses.
- Versatile for Any Gathering: It’s perfect for game days, parties, or cozy nights in with veggies or chips for dipping.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe plays a vital role in delivering that iconic blend of spicy, tangy, and creamy. I always recommend using full-fat dairy for the richest taste and the best melt, plus fresh rotisserie chicken for top-notch flavor and convenience.
- Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce: Gives that signature buffalo heat and tang; make sure it’s the wings sauce version for that perfect spicy punch.
- Full-fat Sour Cream: Adds creaminess and a slight tang that balances the spice beautifully.
- Ranch Dressing Seasoning Mix: Brings herbal note and depth without extra work.
- Chili Powder, Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt: These spices layer flavor, so every bite has complexity — don’t skip them!
- Cooked and Shredded Chicken: I usually grab a large rotisserie chicken for ease, but leftover cooked chicken works great too.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles: Adds punchy tang and a creamy chunkiness that’s classic buffalo dip.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and melty, it’s a cheese dip staple providing richness and body.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Melts smoothly and stretches perfectly — a great partner to cheddar.
- Full-fat Cream Cheese: Cubed and melted carefully to tie all ingredients together into that irresistibly creamy texture.
- Green Onions, Crumbled Blue Cheese, and Cilantro or Parsley: Optional garnishes that add freshness and color.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this dip just a bit depending on my mood or the occasion—and the great news is, it holds up beautifully to many variations. Don’t be afraid to make it your own!
- Variation: I sometimes swap out blue cheese for extra cheddar and a splash of hot sauce if I want it tangier but less pungent. The dip is just as creamy and beloved by everyone at the party.
- Make it Spicier: Add extra Frank’s sauce or a pinch of cayenne to kick up the heat.
- Dietary modifications: For a lighter version, try using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream—though it won’t be quite as rich, it’s still tasty.
- Seasonal Twist: Mix in some finely chopped roasted red peppers or swap cilantro for parsley to freshen up the flavor in summer.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Crockpot and Mix The Base
Before anything, I spray my crockpot insert with nonstick cooking spray. This saves you from sticking and makes cleaning up a breeze. Then, whisk together the buffalo sauce, sour cream, ranch seasoning, and all those wonderful spices right in the crockpot. It’s like building the flavor foundation—you want the spices to melt into the creamy sauce before mixing in the rest.
Step 2: Stir in Chicken and Cheeses
Next, toss in the shredded chicken, blue cheese crumbles, 1 cup of cheddar, and ⅓ cup mozzarella cheese. Stir everything gently until the chicken is well-coated and cheeses start mingling with the sauce. This is where the magic starts to come together — you’ll see the dip getting thick and luscious.
Step 3: Add Cream Cheese
I microwave the cubed cream cheese for about 25 seconds—just enough to soften it without melting completely. Then, I evenly distribute those cubes over the dip without stirring them in initially. This step helps each cube melt smoothly during cooking, creating creaminess in layers rather than lumps.
Step 4: Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on low for an hour, then give it a good stir to help everything meld together beautifully. Depending on your crockpot’s make and model, I often leave mine cooking for another hour or so — stirring occasionally—until the dip is bubbling hot and every bit of cheese is melted to silky perfection.
Step 5: Top with More Cheese and Finish Cooking
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella over the dip, cover it back up, and let it cook for an additional 20 minutes. This final step adds a cheesy crust on top that’s just irresistibly gooey and perfect.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve Up
Turn your crockpot setting to warm so it stays just right while serving. Sprinkle green onions and a few extra crumbles of blue cheese on top for freshness and pops of flavor. Grab your favorite chips, crackers, or cut veggies, and dive in. Trust me, this dip will disappear fast, so have your serving spoons ready!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that take this Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe from good to unforgettable. These tips helped me avoid common pitfalls like lumps or a dip that’s too watery.
- Softening the Cream Cheese Properly: Don’t just mix it in cold — microwaving it briefly helps it melt smoothly, preventing clumps.
- Low and Slow Cooking: The longer cook time on low allows all flavors to meld and cheese to fully melt without drying out.
- Stir Occasionally: If your crockpot is older, stirring every 30 minutes keeps everything heated evenly and stops scorching.
- Don’t Skip The Spices: The chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic, and onion powder add harmonious warmth—missing these changes the flavor a lot.
How to Serve Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Garnishes
I always top mine with bright green onions and extra blue cheese crumbles—they add just the right sharpness and a beautiful pop of color. Sometimes I throw on fresh chopped cilantro or parsley if I want a herbaceous freshness that cuts through the richness.
Side Dishes
Besides the usual chips and crackers, I love serving this dip with crunchy veggies like celery sticks, carrot batons, and bell pepper slices. Crostini toasted with a little garlic butter is also a classy, delicious option that guests enjoy.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I’ve arranged this dip right in a hollowed-out round loaf of bread — you scoop as you go and it looks gorgeous on the table. Another fun idea is serving the dip on top of mini baked potatoes or inside small bell pepper halves for a more substantial bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After the party, I transfer leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate. The dip thickens up in the fridge, but a quick reheat with a splash of milk or cream brings it right back to creamy perfection.
Freezing
I’ve had good luck freezing this dip, especially if you plan to batch-make it for multiple events. Freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat gently on the stovetop or in a crockpot on low.
Reheating
I’d recommend reheating slowly either in a crockpot on warm/low or stovetop on very low heat, stirring frequently. Adding a splash of cream or milk prevents it from drying out and helps the cheese melt evenly again.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can make this Buffalo Chicken Dip on the stovetop in a saucepan over low heat. Combine all the ingredients, heat gently while stirring often until the cheese melts and the dip is creamy.
Using a rotisserie chicken is my favorite shortcut—it’s flavorful and already cooked and shredded, which makes prep quick and easy. But leftover cooked chicken or even canned chicken works fine if you’re in a pinch.
Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce is classic for a reason—it has the perfect tang and heat balance. If you swap it out, pick a hot sauce that’s designed for wings, not just a generic hot sauce, to get that authentic buffalo flavor.
This dip has a nice medium heat—you get plenty of buffalo sauce kick without it being too fiery for most tastes. You can adjust the spice by adding more or less Frank’s sauce or chili powder to suit your preference.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe is truly one of my all-time favorites, not just because it tastes amazing but because it brings people together. I love how easy it is to throw together, and how it fills the room with warm, irresistible aromas while cooking. Whether you’re serving it for friends, family, or a casual night in, it’s guaranteed to be a hit. Give it a shot—you might just find your new go-to dip too!
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Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 14 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot recipe is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful appetizer perfect for parties and game days. Made with shredded chicken, Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce, ranch seasoning, and a blend of blue cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella, it's slow-cooked in a crockpot until perfectly melted and ready to serve with your favorite chips, crackers, or veggies.
Ingredients
Buffalo Dip Base
- ⅔ cup Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce (NOT original/traditional)
- ¾ cup full fat sour cream
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 pound (4 packed cups) cooked and shredded chicken (about 1 large rotisserie chicken)
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1 ⅓ packed cups finely shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- ⅔ packed cups finely shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese (cubed into 12 pieces)
Garnishes & Serving
- Green onions (for garnish)
- Crumbled blue cheese (for garnish)
- Cilantro or parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Chips, crackers, crostini, pretzels, or veggies for serving (carrots, celery sticks, bell peppers)
Instructions
- Prep Crockpot: Spray the crockpot insert with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Combine Ingredients: In the crockpot, whisk together Frank’s Buffalo sauce, sour cream, ranch seasoning mix, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Stir in shredded chicken, blue cheese crumbles, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and ⅓ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese until evenly mixed.
- Add Cream Cheese: Microwave the cubed cream cheese on a plate for 25 seconds to soften it, then evenly distribute the softened cream cheese pieces over the chicken mixture in the crockpot without stirring them in yet.
- Cook on Low: Cover and cook on low heat for 1 hour. Afterward, stir the dip thoroughly to combine the softened cream cheese with the rest of the ingredients.
- Continue Cooking: Depending on your crockpot size and age, cook an additional 1 to 1 ½ hours on low, stirring occasionally, until the cheeses are completely melted and the dip is hot and bubbly.
- Top with Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ⅓ cup cheddar and ⅓ cup mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover and cook on low for another 20 minutes until the cheese has melted thoroughly.
- Garnish and Serve: Switch the crockpot to low or warm setting to keep the dip ready to serve. Garnish with chopped green onions, crumbled blue cheese, and optionally cilantro or parsley. Serve warm with chips, crackers, crostini, pretzels, or fresh vegetables like carrots, celery sticks, and bell peppers.
Notes
- Use Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce (NOT the original or traditional version) for the best authentic buffalo flavor.
- Shredded rotisserie chicken makes prep quick and flavorful, but you can use any cooked shredded chicken.
- Microwaving the cream cheese before cooking helps it melt smoothly into the dip.
- If you have an older or smaller crockpot, stir the dip occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
- For a milder version, reduce the amount of buffalo sauce and chili powder.
- Serve with a variety of dippers such as vegetables, chips, and pretzels for crowd-pleasing options.
- Leftovers can be reheated gently in the crockpot or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/14 of recipe
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
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