Easy Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

Introduction

This Easy Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip is a creamy, spicy crowd-pleaser perfect for game days or casual gatherings. It combines tender shredded chicken with a flavorful blend of hot sauce, cream cheese, and melted cheeses for an irresistible dip everyone’s sure to love.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts (shredded into 1/2-inch pieces)
• 7 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
• 1 cup ranch dressing
• 1 1/4 cups hot sauce
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup green onions (finely sliced)
• 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese (divided)
• 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese (divided)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place chicken breasts in a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 12-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a cutting board, let cool for 5 minutes, then shred into 1/2-inch pieces. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Step 2: In a large pot over medium heat, combine the room temperature cream cheese, ranch dressing, hot sauce, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir constantly for 3-4 minutes until the cream cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened but still pourable. Adjust heat by adding more hot sauce or ranch dressing if desired.
3. Step 3: Remove the pot from heat and add the shredded chicken, half of the mozzarella cheese (1 cup), half of the cheddar cheese (1 cup), and the sliced green onions. Stir until the mixture is creamy, cohesive, and the cheese begins to melt from the residual heat.
4. Step 4: Transfer the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella (1/2 cup) and cheddar (1/2 cup) evenly over the top.
5. Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use rotisserie chicken to save time—just shred and add directly to the sauce.
• For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of sour cream or mayonnaise with the cheese mixture.
• Add chopped celery or carrots on the side for crunch and freshness.
• Adjust the heat level by using milder hot sauce or omitting the cayenne pepper.
• Serve with tortilla chips, celery sticks, or crusty bread for dipping.

Storage

Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a microwave or oven until warmed through, stirring occasionally to keep the mixture creamy. This dip does not freeze well due to its creamy texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dip ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dip through Step 4, then cover and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Add extra baking time if baking from cold.

What can I use if I don’t have ranch dressing?

You can substitute with blue cheese dressing or a mixture of mayonnaise and dried herbs for a different but tasty flavor.

Easy Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 118 reviews

This Easy Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip is a spicy, cheesy, and creamy appetizer perfect for game days or parties. Made with shredded chicken, cream cheese, ranch dressing, hot sauce, and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, it’s baked to a bubbly golden perfection and topped with extra cheese for a melty finish. Quick to prepare and full of bold flavor, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

• Author: Joe
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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For the Dip:

• 4 chicken breasts (shredded into 1/2-inch pieces for better dipping)
• 7 oz cream cheese (room temperature, about 70°F, for a smoother texture)
• 1 cup ranch dressing (preferably Hidden Valley)
• 1 1/4 cups hot sauce
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup green onions (finely sliced into 1/8-inch rounds)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup cheddar cheese

For the Topping:

• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (preferably Tillamook for better melt and stretch)

Instructions

1. Cook and Shred the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 12-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken, let it cool for 5 minutes, then shred into 1/2-inch pieces. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Build the Creamy Sauce Base: In a large pot over medium heat, combine room temperature cream cheese, ranch dressing, hot sauce, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir constantly for 3-4 minutes until the cream cheese is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened but still pourable. Adjust spice level by adding more hot sauce or ranch dressing as desired.
3. Combine Chicken and Half the Cheese: Remove the pot from heat. Add shredded chicken, half the mozzarella (1 cup), half the cheddar (1 cup), and green onions. Stir until cheese begins to melt and the mixture is creamy and cohesive with no dry spots.
4. Transfer and Top with Remaining Cheese: Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella (1/2 cup) and cheddar (1/2 cup) evenly on top. Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden.

Notes

• Shredding the chicken into 1/2-inch pieces helps with better dipping and consistent texture.
• Use room temperature cream cheese to ensure a smooth sauce without lumps.
• Adjust hot sauce quantity based on your spice preference. More hot sauce increases heat.
• Using Tillamook cheddar cheese creates a melty, stretchy topping but any good melting cheddar works.
• This dip can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking. Add a few extra minutes to bake if baking from cold.
• Serve with celery sticks, tortilla chips, or crackers for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
• Leftovers keep well covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: Buffalo chicken dip, baked buffalo dip, game day appetizer, spicy chicken dip, cheesy dip, party dip