Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip: The Best Game Day Appetizer
This creamy, spicy, and cheesy buffalo chicken dip comes together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients. Perfect for game day, potlucks, or any gathering, it’s a crowd-pleaser that disappears fast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken recommended)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (full-fat preferred; Neufchâtel works as a substitute)
- ½ cup hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot recommended)
- ½ cup ranch dressing (Hidden Valley recommended; blue cheese dressing works too)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar preferred)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup sliced green onions (for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take the cream cheese out of the fridge to soften for about 30 minutes.
- Shred the chicken using two forks. You should have about 3 cups. Some bigger chunks are fine for texture.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, hot sauce, and ranch dressing. Mix with a hand mixer on low speed or stir vigorously with a spoon until smooth and well-combined, about 2 minutes.
- Add the shredded chicken, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated. Taste and add more hot sauce if desired.
- Reserve about ¼ cup of the cheddar cheese for the top. Add the remaining cheddar and all the mozzarella to the bowl. Fold gently until the cheeses are distributed throughout. Do not overmix.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 8×8-inch baking dish. Spread it evenly. Sprinkle the reserved cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the edges are bubbling and the top is lightly golden. For a crispier top, switch to broil for the last 2 minutes, watching carefully.
- Let the dip rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle sliced green onions on top before serving.
Notes
Don’t rush the cream cheese softening; cold cream cheese creates lumps. For a lighter version, use Neufchâtel cheese, Greek yogurt instead of ranch, and reduced-fat cheddar. To make ahead, assemble in the dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours; add 10 minutes to baking time. For a smoky variation, add crumbled cooked bacon. For extra heat, add an extra ¼ cup of hot sauce and a teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about ½ c
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Protein: 22
Keywords: buffalo chicken dip, easy buffalo chicken dip, game day appetizer, buffalo dip, chicken dip, spicy dip, party dip