Easy Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
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.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Find it online: https://mixitwitjoe.com/easy-baked-buffalo-chicken-dip-recipe/
