Spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip (Printable)
Creamy, spicy buffalo chicken blend with cheeses and crunchy tortilla chips for a delicious appetizer.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (rotisserie or poached)
→ Dairy
02 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
04 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - ½ cup sour cream
06 - ¼ cup ranch dressing
→ Sauce & Flavor
07 - ½ cup buffalo wing sauce (e.g., Franks RedHot)
08 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
09 - ¼ teaspoon onion powder
10 - ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnish & Chips
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped scallions or chives
13 - 1 bag (7 oz) tortilla chips
# How to Make It:
01 - Set the oven temperature to 350°F.
02 - In a large bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, ranch dressing, buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper until smooth.
03 - Gently fold in the shredded chicken, ¾ of the cheddar cheese, and ¾ of the mozzarella cheese into the mixture.
04 - Transfer the combined mixture to a greased 8-inch baking dish and smooth the surface evenly.
05 - Sprinkle the reserved cheddar and mozzarella cheese uniformly over the top of the dip.
06 - Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is lightly golden.
07 - Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped scallions or chives.
08 - Serve warm accompanied by tortilla chips for dipping.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It comes together in under 15 minutes of actual work, then the oven does the rest while you set out napkins and drinks.
- The balance of tangy buffalo sauce and creamy cheese is so satisfying that even people who claim they don't like spicy food end up going back for more.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully, and the dip tastes even better the next day when the flavors have had time to meld.
02 -
- If your cream cheese isn't fully softened, you'll end up with stubborn lumps no matter how much you stir, so plan ahead and leave it out early.
- Don't skimp on the baking time—those last few minutes in the oven turn the cheese topping golden and develop a depth of flavor that raw cheese just doesn't have.
03 -
- Use a hand mixer on low speed to blend the cream cheese base if you want an ultra-smooth texture without any effort.
- Add a handful of crumbled cooked bacon on top during the last five minutes of baking for a smoky, salty contrast that takes this dip to another level.