This buffalo chicken dip recipe might be the next thing you want to add to your recipe book. With chicken bits smothered in the spicy buffalo sauce, cream, and cheese, this dip is simple with unique flavors.
If you fancy buffalo chicken wings, chances are you’ll love this dip, especially when it’s much quicker to make. It’s even more amazing— though piled up with cheese, the total fat is still kept under control.
Is Buffalo Chicken Dip Healthy?
This recipe is not only quick to make but can also be adaptable to many dietary styles. For those who are following Keto, buffalo chicken dip is totally safe for you to include in your daily consumption.
To make it even more appealing or diet compatible, simply adjust the proportions to your liking. For example, you can add more chicken chunks while cutting down on the sour cream.
How Many Calories Are in Buffalo Chicken Dip?
This buffalo chicken dip provides 196 calories per one serving. In which, 90 calories are from 90 grams of fat— taking up almost half of the amount.
You’ll also get 17 grams of protein from this dish. These explain how buffalo chicken dip is beneficial for low-carb and Keto diets, as said above.
Ingredients
This buffalo chicken dip recipe is a combination of tender chicken, Buffalo sauce, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, and cheddar cheese. They’re all mixed in to create a fluffy dip that your chips won’t break in when scooping it up.
1. Chicken Thighs
For this recipe, we opted for chicken thighs chunked small so it’s easier to scoop. Skinless boneless thighs are our top choice, we’ll get no extra fat from the skin and spend less time cooking.
Poached chicken or rotisserie chicken can also work fabulously for buffalo chicken dip. To make the best use of types of chicken, these healthy chicken recipes will give you reliable and tasty options.
In case you’re running out of time to prep, this dish won’t say no to leftover chicken or canned chicken. But as ever, if possible, home-cooked wins over-processed every time.
2. Cream Cheese
The cream cheese base is second to none when it comes to making the dip fluffy and scoopable. Make sure the cream cheese is soft as possible (microwave it beforehand or use a hand mixer to crumble it).
However, buffalo chicken dip can still be made without cream cheese— every ingredient has its lighter substitution.
You can swap the regular full-fat cream cheese with Greek yogurt or light mayonnaise (preferably Hellmann’s of Kraft). You can also use Ranch dressing if desired.
3. Celery
In this recipe, celery isn’t added to the filling. Instead, it’s used as a vessel to scoop and eat together with the buffalo chicken dip.
Other veggie vessel options are carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers. If you don’t find yourself enjoying celery, there are lots of alternatives for it, which we’ll go into details later.
Check out our Instant pot buffalo chicken dip recipe.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Dip
Step 1: Stir-fry chicken
Stir-fry the chicken over medium heat for 3 minutes (without oil). Drain well. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Make the filling
In a large bowl, mix the fried chicken with buffalo sauce, cream cheese, garlic powder, shredded potato, 1 ounce of mozzarella cheese, 1/4 ounce of cheddar cheese, and 2 tablespoons of scallions. Set aside.
Step 3: Fill the baking dish
Spread the filling into a baking dish, top with the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 20 minutes, until the cheese on top is bubbly.
Step 5: Serve
Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining scallions on top. Serve as a dip with the carrot and celery sticks.
Is This Recipe Spicy?
This recipe is mildly spicy as there’s only 2-3 tablespoons of homemade buffalo sauce added to the filling. Additionally, scallions and garlic powder also add a tad of tang for the dip.
What Goes with This Recipe?
You know what momma said, “The secret ingredient is always love”. This recipe will tell you exactly the same— feel free to have your food served with your favorite ingredients!
1. Mozzarella Cheese
This soft white cheese is the key for the creamy and gooey texture in this buffalo chicken dip recipe. Besides, mozzarella cheese is pretty low in sodium and calories, when compared to most other cheeses.
Thanks to the high moisture content of mozzarella cheese, the dip won’t get too dry or muddy. You can shovel into it with ease and see this easy, baked quiche recipe for another creamy, mozzarella-based dish
2. Blue Cheese
If you are out of mozzarella cheese, we strongly suggest blue cheese as a replacement.
Blue cheese is rich in calcium and has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. It’s often served alongside regular buffalo wings.
However, the distinctively bold and sharp flavor of blue cheese might overshadow other ingredients. Therefore, you’ll need to watch the amount that’s going in carefully.
3. Sour Cream
We didn’t have sour cream for this buffalo chicken dip. However, you cannot deny the fact that sour cream always works amazingly in dips.
For the present case, sour cream can be a wonderful substitution for cream cheese as it’s so rich and thick. If added, sour cream will double the tanginess and sourness of the dish while cutting down on the fat content.
4. Greek Yogurt
We didn’t have any Greek yogurt in this recipe. However, it can still be a great choice as a substitution for sour cream.
Of course, cooking is a journey of tried-and-true experiences. All we can say is let’s just listen to your taste buds and please it any way you can.
Add that Greek yogurt if you feel like it, it’d be fine.
How Long Does Buffalo Chicken Dip Last?
Leftover buffalo chicken dip will stay safe and fresh under refrigeration in an airtight container for 3-4 days. However, if you’ve already combined leftover chicken in the dip, then it should be stored and used within 2 days.
Make sure that you secure the container lid when leaving it overnight; otherwise, simply cover it with plastic wrap. They all help preserve the best quality in taste.
Can You Freeze Buffalo Chicken Dip?
Yes, you can.
Same as overnight storing, you’ll have to transfer the buffalo chicken dip into a container with a lid. Put it in the freezer so it can last up to 2-3 months.
Reheating frozen buffalo chicken dip is also simple. All you need to do is pop the whole container in the microwave and warm it up for 5 minutes.
What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Dip
This buffalo chicken dip recipe promises a basic dip with complex flavors. There are also many options for vessels available as seen below:
1. Tortilla Chips
Tortilla chips are the most popular go-to option when it comes to buffalo chicken dip. They balance the whole serving perfectly as they lend saltiness and crunchy texture to the dip.
2. Bread
Besides tortilla chips, crackers, breadsticks, or small pita pockets are not any less ideal for a side. Bread makes a wonderful companion as it can make up for the carbohydrates that buffalo chicken dip is missing out.
3. Tacos
If you’re thinking of wrapping this recipe in tacos but are afraid of contrasting flavors, don’t be hesitant. Take a bite of it and see for yourself— we guarantee it will be worth the try.
Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 14 oz skinless boneless chicken thighs chunked
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder
- 5 tbsp cream cheese
- 2 oz mozzarella cheese divided
- 1/2 oz cheddar cheese divided
- 4 tbsp scallions divided
- 2/3 tbsp homemade buffalo sauce
- 2 oz potato shredded
- 12 oz carrots batonnet
- 6 oz celery batonnet
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Stir-fry the chicken over medium heat for 3 minutes (without oil). Drain well.
- Mix the fried chicken together with buffalo sauce, cream cheese, garlic powder, shredded potato, 1 ounce of mozzarella cheese, 1/4 ounce of cheddar cheese, and 2 tablespoons of scallions in a large bowl until well combined. Set aside.
- Spread the mixture into a baking dish (ours is a 5x7x2-inch casserole dish), top with the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese on top is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining scallions on top. Serve as a dip with the carrot and celery sticks.
Nutrition
It is in the list of my fave dips to try. It is easy to prepare and I am sure quite comforting!
Oh Denise it’s my pleasure having you interested in the dip. Let me know when you finally give a try 😀
Oh, yeah! This is one irresistible dip!! Perfect for game day munching.
Yes, isn’t it? Hope you have your game day covered Liz!
This sounds delicious – so packed with flavor! Such a comfort food snack, that I would devour!
Oh yes, it’s a burst in flavor, really hope you’ll devour it just like I did 😀