Ready to spice things up and become the star of the appetizer game? Here is the answer: this creamy, spicy buffalo chicken dip is easy-to-make. It combines the creamy goodness of cream cheese with the bold flavors of buffalo sauce and ranch dressing, all mixed together with shredded rotisserie chicken and cheddar cheese. Trust me, your taste buds won’t know what hit them.
I’ll give you some easy serving suggestions for this Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip and let you in on the best scoops to pair with this crowd-pleasing appetizer. This dip will be the star of your next gathering.
If you enjoy using your crock pot to make appetizers be sure to check out 3 Ingredient Saucy Meatballs Recipes, or my Hot Crock Pot Maryland Crab Dip.
What’s The History Of Buffalo Chicken Dip?
This iconic appetizer has become a staple at parties, tailgates, and game day gatherings. But where did it all begin? Buffalo Wing Dip is said to have originated in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. Teressa Bellissimo, the owner of the bar, is credited with inventing the dish to utilize excess chicken wings that were easily available and inexpensive at the time. Thank you Teressa!
Do you enjoy making easy dips when hosting a dinner party, making a snack for a casual get-together, or taking to a potluck? I have made it easy for you to find the perfect dip recipe when you visit my Easy Make Ahead Party Dips For A Crowd.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Rotisserie Chicken: This is a fast and easy recipe, especiall if you don’t have to cook the chicken. Grab a rotisserie chicken form your grocery and shred the savory meat into bite-sized pieces. It’s that easy. You could also use leftover boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe. If you’re short on time, try my tender and juicy instant pot chicken. Need a big batch? Make my shredded slow cooker chicken.
- Buffalo Sauce: This tangy and spicy sauce adds the distinct flavor that sets this dip apart.
Sauce Tip: Be sure to use buffalo sauce vs hot sauce. I like to use Frank’s Red Hot Wings Buffalo sauce vs. Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce. While both buffalo sauce and hot sauce are spicy condiments, Frank’s buffalo sauce is specifically made by combining hot sauce and butter, giving it a distinct tangy and rich flavor. Hot sauce, on the other hand, can be made from different types of chili peppers and typically emphasizes heat and pepper flavor.
- Cheeses: To complement the spiciness of the buffalo sauce, you’ll need a creamy element. This is where cream cheese comes into play. Its smooth texture and mild taste blend perfectly with the bold flavors of the chicken and buffalo sauce. Stir in some cheddar cheese and top with blue cheese crubmles, a cheese lovers dream!
Cheese Tip: Make sure to use softened cream cheese at room temperature so that it easily combines with the other ingredients.
Seasonings: Onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. These simple ingredients bring a depth of flavor to every bite.
Instructions For Buffalo Chicken Dip Crock Pot Recipe
Ok, now lets make this crowd-pleasing slow cooker spicy dip. I’m sure everyone will be reaching for seconds.
- First, remove all the skin from the rotisserie chicken and discard it. Then, using a sharp knife, carefully cut and separate the legs, thighs, wings, breasts, and back. With your hands, pull off the meat from the bones and shred it into bite-sized pieces. Measure out 4 cups of shredded chicken and save the rest of the meat for another recipe. Tip* I keep 2-cup bags of shredded rotisserie chicken in my freezer for quick meal prep.
Pro Tip: Cutting up a rotisserie chicken can get quite messy and greasy. I always use disposable kitchen gloves to make clean-up easier.
- Add the cream cheese, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and shredded cheese to the crock pot. Stir everything together to combine.
- Next, add the shredded chicken to the mixture and stir again, ensuring that the chicken is evenly distributed.
Pro Tip: Don’t worry if your dip seems lumpy. The cream cheese will melt and become a smooth, creamy dip. You do not want large chunks of cream cheese, however. To make this easy, be sure to allow your cream cheese to soften to room temperature before you need to use it.
- Place the lid on the crock pot and let the dip cook on low for about 2 hours, or until it is hot and bubbly throughout. Stir occasionally to prevent any sticking or burning.
- During the last 15 minutes of cooking time, sprinkle on the 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Place the lid on and finish cooking.
- Serve the buffalo chicken dip straight from the crock pot, keeping it warm by leaving the heat setting on warm. Provide an array of scoop options, such as tortilla chips, celery sticks, and carrot sticks.
Party Tip: This recipe is easy to double or triple. However, be sure to use a larger crock pot.
Variation Ideas
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip is a flexible recipe that you can tweak to make it to your own taste and spice level.
- Cheese Additions: Buffalo chicken dip wouldn’t be the same without a generous amount of shredded cheese. While traditional recipes call for cheddar cheese, feel free to get creative and experiment with different types, such as pepper jack, Monterey jack, or blue cheese for a unique twist. The melted cheese on top will create a gooey layer that’s hard to resist.
- Spices: If you are brave, you could add in a few tablespoons of some diced hot peppers to the mixture. Try fresh jalapenos, habaneros, or any other of your favorites.
- Topping Ideas: Just before serving, you can sprinkle blue cheese crumbles, sliced green onions, crispy bacon, or my Cowboy Candy (pickled jalapenos)
Tips For Sucess
- When it comes to the cheese, don’t skimp. A combination of cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and blue cheese crumbles creates a rich and creamy texture with the perfect amount of cheesy goodness. Be sure to use real blue cheese crumbles for an authentic taste.
- To achieve the ideal consistency for your buffalo chicken dip, you may need to adjust the amount of liquid ingredients. If you prefer a thicker dip, decrease the amount of buffalo sauce and ranch dressing slightly. On the other hand, if you like it more on the runny side, you can add a bit more of these sauces until you reach your desired consistency.
- Lastly, to ensure that your dip stays warm and ready to serve throughout your gathering, keep it in a slow cooker or a dip-sized crockpot set to the “warm” after the cooking time.
What Scoops Are Good With Buffalo Chicken Dip
Now that your buffalo chicken dip is cooking, let’s talk about some serving suggestions.
When it comes to finding the ideal dippers for your buffalo chicken dip, the options are practically endless. The key is to choose items that not only complement the bold flavors of the dip but also provide a satisfying crunch or texture. Here are some classic and creative choices to consider:
- Tortilla Chips: Be sure to purchase crispy and sturdy chips.
- Frito corn chips
- Celery Sticks
- Carrot Sticks
- Cucumber Slices
- Pretzels: You could use sticks or twists.
- Pita Bread: Cut pita bread into small triangles and toast them slightly for a sturdy and satisfying dipper. You could also buy pita chips in a bag.
- Bell Pepper Strips
- Crackers
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Creamy Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 cups rotisserie chicken, skin removed and shredded
- 16 ounces cream cheese, You will need two 8-ounce boxes of cream cheese softened to room temperature.
- 1 cup buffalo sauce, I use Frank's RedHot Wing Sauce Buffalo or you could use your favorite brand.
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded, divided by 1 cup and 1/2 cup
- 2 tablespoons green onions, diced, white and green tops
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles, optional
Instructions
- First, remove all the skin from the rotisserie chicken and discard it. Then, using a sharp knife, carefully cut and separate the legs, thighs, wings, breasts, and back. With your hands, pull off the meat from the bones and shred it into bite-sized pieces. Measure out 4 cups of shredded chicken and save the rest of the meat for another recipe. Tip* I keep 2-cup bags of shredded rotisserie chicken in my freezer for quick meal prep.4 cups rotisserie chicken
- Add the cream cheese, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and shredded cheese to the crock pot. Stir everything together to combine.16 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup buffalo sauce, 1 cup ranch dressing, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
- Next, add the shredded chicken to the mixture and stir again, ensuring that the chicken is evenly distributed.
- Place the lid on the crock pot and let the dip cook on low for about 2 hours, or until it is hot and bubbly throughout. Stir occasionally to prevent any sticking or burning.
- During the last 15 minutes of cooking time, sprinkle on the 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Place the lid on and finish cooking.
- Serve the buffalo chicken dip straight from the crock pot, keeping it warm by leaving the heat setting on warm. Provide an array of scoop options, such as tortilla chips, celery sticks, and carrot sticks.
Equipment
Notes
- When it comes to the cheese, don’t skimp. A combination of cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and blue cheese crumbles creates a rich and creamy texture with the perfect amount of cheesy goodness. Be sure to use real blue cheese crumbles for an authentic taste.
- To achieve the ideal consistency for your buffalo chicken dip, you may need to adjust the amount of liquid ingredients. If you prefer a thicker dip, decrease the amount of buffalo sauce and ranch dressing slightly. On the other hand, if you like it more on the runny side, you can add a bit more of these sauces until you reach your desired consistency.
- Lastly, to ensure that your dip stays warm and ready to serve throughout your gathering, keep it in a slow cooker or a dip-sized crockpot set to the “warm” after the cooking time.