Elevate your game day with the ultimate Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip! Effortless without the mess, cheesy, and packed with bold flavors, this crock pot recipe is a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone cheering for more.
We love quick and easy dip recipes and potluck recipes around here like our Hot Crab Dip, Hawaiian Crockpot Meatballs, Punch Bowl Cake, and Skinny Spinach and Artichoke Dip. With large gatherings always around the corner, I thought I would share one of our go-to recipes that is always a hit!
This is perfect Buffalo Chicken dip appetizer is made with chicken, authentic wing sauce, ranch dressing, and melty cheese – a crowd pleaser. Or maybe you want to keep it for yourself and who could blame you, lol. It is also easy to make ahead!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here is an overview of the ingredients you will need to make buffalo chicken dip.
Shredded Chicken: Rotisserie chicken works great if you are looking for something quick and I stand by that it is the best chicken for this buffalo chicken recipe. I have also grilled and sauteed chicken breasts. I don’t recommend boiling the chicken because it will add water. For a cheaper option, you could also use canned chicken.
Cheese: Colby Jack shredded cheese is excellent for melting, but you can also use sharp or mild cheddar cheese. Some blue cheese crumbles on top would be a nice touch that would make for one delicious dip!
Sour Cream: For a healthier option you can also use Greek yogurt but be sure to add it after heating the recipe as it can separate during the cooking process. You can also lighten the calories by swapping the mayo out for more light sour cream.
Cream Cheese: It is important that the cream cheese be softened. If necessary, cut the completely unwrapped cheese and place on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave it on high for 15 seconds.
Buffalo Sauce: Any sauce or heat preference you like works well. There is also a homemade recipe below.
Ranch Dressing: This is the premade dressing at the store, not the packets. You can substitute blue cheese if you prefer it or our healthy yogurt ranch recipe to lighten it up.
Variations for Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip
To further enhance the flavor of buffalo wings, consider the following variations to this easy recipe:
Sauteed Onions or Peppers: Sauté some onions and bell peppers until the onions are translucent and mix into the dip before heating.
Top with Green Onions: For an easier flavor add in, sprinkles some sliced green onions over the top of the finished dip. This adds a nice color contrast as well as flavor.
Blue Cheese Dressing: or Crumbles Blue cheese is the most traditional sauce for buffalo chicken wings, and it works just as well here if that is your preference.
How Do You Make Buffalo Wing Sauce?
There is a difference between hot sauce and wing sauce for making buffalo sauce. I don’t recommend substituting straight hot sauce for this recipe. I generally buy pre-made sauce but if you want to make your own, here is a recipe:
- ⅔ cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 sticks)
- 1 ½ tablespoons white vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
- salt to taste
Combine in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the butter melts and is completely incorporated. Allow to cool. If you want a milder buffalo sauce, add more butter.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken dip in the Crockpot?
First, you will need a way to shred the chicken. I tend to grill the chicken beforehand but leftover rotisserie, or sauteed chicken works perfect. Be sure to remove any skin.
The easiest way to shred chicken is to put it in a kitchen aid mixer with a paddle attachment. Beat at levels 2-4 to perfectly shred the chicken in less than a minute! A hand mixer on low speed can do this as well, but it is more difficult.
If you don’t have a mixer, shred with two forks until evenly shredded.
Once prepped, the slow cooker is the easiest part in just 3 steps:
- Turn slow cooker on low heat. Dump all ingredients except for ½ cup of cheese.
- Stir to combine.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 1-2 hours. Top with the reserved cheese at the end.
Oven Method: If you don’t want to use a slow cooker, this recipe can also be baked. Preheat oven to 375℉ and use a 9×9 baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is completely melted, hot and bubbly. Serve warm.
Ideas to Serve with a Party Spread
If you are looking for more delicious appetizers to go with this recipe, we have lots!
What Goes with Buffalo Chicken Dip?
Serve it with an array of dippables to cater to everyone’s taste buds. While it is perfect for football season, it is also a winner for parties all year long! Consider these serving ideas:
Refreshing Classics:
- Tortilla Chips or Doritoes
- Crackers
- Celery Sticks
- Carrot Sticks
Low Carb Ideas:
- Bell Pepper Strips
- Cucumber Slices
Make serving this dip easy for your upcoming party appetizer table! I usually make sure to provide ramekins or small plastic cups on the side for serving to prevent double dipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
This dip comes together with shredded chicken, sour cream, mayo, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, shredded cheese, cream cheese, and spices.
Yes! If you prefer a melted cheese topping with a little bit of crisp browned cheese, you may even prefer it prepared in the oven. Of course, the crock pot makes it easy to keep warm for parties and munching during the football game. Really, you can’t go wrong either way.
This recipe is very friendly for low carb diets, Keto, or Adkins diets. The biggest issue you may have for low carb diets is what to serve with the recipe for dipping. I would personally serve it with celery, cucumbers, or even bell peppers. If you are wanting to cut calories, you could swap the mayo for more light sour cream and use light cheese. Lower fat cream cheese could also work, but the dip may be a bit less thick.
This recipe will last for 3-4 days if refrigerated. Wrap tightly or store in an appropriately sized container. Of course, don’t leave it out in the sun or at room temperature for more than two hours. It’s perfectly fine to make ahead and and add it to the crock pot when ready. Just give it a good stir.
I don't recommend freezing the dip because the dressing ingredients will separate. You can freeze the cooked chicken, then defrost it in the refrigerator the day before you make the dip.
While it can be eaten either way, it is prepared in the slow cooker (or oven) so it’ll taste freshest warm! Feel free to enjoy it cold the next day in a sandwich.
Watch the Recipe Video
I have also taped myself preparing this dip in the video below.
I hope you're going to give this a try to make your next game day extra special!
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Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cooked and shredded about 3 breasts
- 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup Buffalo Sauce I use Sweet Baby Ray’s because it isn’t super hot, but Frank’s Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce is another good choice
- ½ cup Ranch dressing
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups Shredded Colby Jack Cheese divided
Dipper Ideas
- Celery
- Red Pepper Strips
- Carrots
- Tortilla Chips
Instructions
- Turn slow cooker on low heat. Add all ingredients except ½ cup of colby jack cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 1-2 hours. Top with the reserved cheese.
Ashley says
I always have to make a double batch of this stuff. It’s seriously addictive!