This buffalo chicken dip crock pot recipe is my secret to stress-free game day hosting! It’s rich, cheesy, and packed with tangy buffalo flavor, perfect for serving to a hungry crowd. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make with a rotisserie chicken and just a few pantry staples.
Gina’s Notes For Buffalo Chicken Dip Crock Pot Recipe
I love serving this cock pot buffalo dip because I can make it before my guest arrive and keep it warm the whole evening for easy serving. If you’re looking for a go-to appetizer that’s rich, a little spicy, and ridiculously easy to prepare, this buffalo chicken dip crock pot recipe checks every box. With just 10 minutes of prep and the magic of a slow cooker, you’ll have a creamy, zesty dip ready to impress any crowd. It’s perfect for last-minute gatherings or busy days when you still want to serve something homemade and delicious. Budget-friendly ingredients like rotisserie chicken and pantry staples make it accessible, and it’s easy to tweak: add more spice, swap in different cheeses, or even make it extra spicy. If you’re planning for game day, you might also want to check out this Game Day Party Food Bars roundup for more crowd-pleasing ideas.
Quick Tips Before You Get Started
Important Prep Tips Before Starting the Recipe
- Use softened cream cheese for the smoothest texture. For best results, check out How To Soften Cream Cheese: Foolproof Tips and Tricks.
- Shred your chicken ahead of time and store in 2-cup portions.
- A 4–6 quart slow cooker works best. If you want to serve more warm dips, give this Hot Maryland Crab Dip Recipe a try.
Common Mistakes When Making This Recipe
- Not softening the cream cheese: Cold cream cheese stays lumpy and won’t blend well with other ingredients.
- Forgetting to stir halfway through: This can cause uneven melting or scorching along the edges of the crock pot.
Ingredient Tips
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Rotisserie chicken: Shred ahead for faster prep. You can use cooked chicken breast or thighs as a substitute, as well as canned chicken. Just be sure to drain it well and shred before adding. If you’re looking for another dip using this ingredient, try the Easy Buffalo Rotisserie Chicken Dip Recipe.
- Cream cheese: Use full-fat for best flavor. Let it come to room temperature.
- Buffalo sauce: Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce is ideal. Avoid plain hot sauce, it won’t be as creamy.
- Ranch dressing: Store-bought or homemade both work well.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor, but colby jack or pepper jack are tasty swaps and kick up the heat.
How To Make This Buffalo Chicken Dip Crock Pot Recipe
Shred Chicken & Mix Ingredients
Remove skin and bones from a rotisserie chicken. Shred 4 cups worth and store extra for later use.
Add cream cheese, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, onion powder, and 1 cup shredded cheddar to a 4–6 quart crock pot. Stir to combine.
Cook & Add Final Toppings
Stir in shredded chicken until fully coated.
Cover and cook on low for 2 hours. Stir halfway through cooking.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese during the last 15 minutes. Garnish with green onions and blue cheese.
Variations, Substitutions, and Recipe Tips
Dietary Modifications: For a vegetarian option, substitute plant-based chicken.
Flavor Enhancements: Add garlic powder or a dash of smoked paprika.
Add-In Options: Try crispy bacon bits, diced jalapeños, or chopped celery for crunch.
Simple Substitutions: Swap cheddar for mozzarella, or use seasoned Greek yogurt in place of ranch.
Tips for Recipe Success: Let your cream cheese sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to ensure it blends smoothly. And for easy cleanup, use a slow cooker liner or spray the insert with nonstick cooking spray before adding ingredients. For another savory and creamy dip, check out the Creamy Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Once the dip has cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For easy reheating, portion it into smaller containers.
- Freeze leftovers in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Label with the date and portion size. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat in a crock pot on low or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Add a splash of milk or ranch dressing if needed to restore the creamy consistency.
Biblical Hospitality Tips For Serving Buffalo Chicken Dip
“Hospitality is not a performance; it’s a posture of the heart that says, ‘Come as you are.’”
— Intentional Hospitality
This Buffalo Chicken Dip Crock Pot recipe is the ultimate game day comfort food, warm, cheesy, and casual enough to put everyone at ease. Whether you’re inviting neighbors from the block or brothers from church, a relaxed game day setup offers a non-intimidating way to open your home. No formal dining, no stress, just good food and even better fellowship. Use this dip to kick off conversations, deepen connections, and remind your guests they’re seen, known, and welcome.
Hostessing Tips for Comfort Food Gatherings
- Hospitality as Ministry: Use snack time to ask thoughtful questions, not just about life, but about faith and hope.
- Fellowship Over Perfection: Focus on faces, not dishes. Sit and enjoy your guests while the sink fills up.
- Prep-Ahead Tip: Double the recipe and freeze half for a future gathering. You’ll always have something homemade ready for unexpected guests or a busy hosting week. Consider freezing along with other make-ahead dips like those in Easy Make Ahead Party Dips For A Crowd.
Hospitality in Action
Invite one or two guys over this week to watch a game, especially someone who might not usually receive invites. Let the atmosphere be relaxed and genuine. Focus on connection over performance, and offer prayer for anything they might be carrying silently.
Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip Crock Pot Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
You can add any recipe from Intentional Hospitality to your shopping list to plan a full menu!
Ingredients
- 4 cups rotisserie chicken, cooked, skin removed and shredded
- 16 ounces cream cheese, two 8-ounce boxes, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup buffalo sauce, such as Frank’s RedHot Wing Sauce
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded, divided into 1 cup and 1/2 cup
- 2 tablespoons green onions, diced, white and green parts
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles, optional
Instructions
Prepare Chicken
- Remove and discard the skin from the rotisserie chicken.4 cups rotisserie chicken
- Pull the meat off the bones and shred it into bite-sized pieces. Measure out 4 cups and set aside.
Prepare Dip
- In your slow cooker, add softened cream cheese, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, onion powder, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well to combine.16 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup buffalo sauce, 1 cup ranch dressing, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
- Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken until fully coated with the mixture.
Cook
- Cover and cook on low heat for 2 hours, or until hot and bubbly.
Add More Cheese
- In the last 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese on top. Replace the lid and allow it to melt.
Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with diced green onions and sprinkle blue cheese crumbles on top.2 tablespoons green onions, 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
- Keep the slow cooker on the warm setting while serving.
Notes
- A 4–6 quart slow cooker works best.
- Using cold cream cheese: It stays lumpy and won’t blend well with other ingredients.
- Skipping a stir halfway through: This can cause uneven melting or scorching along the edges of the crock pot.