Fiery Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip

$- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken - 1/2 cup buffalo sauce - 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened - 1/2 cup sour cream - 1/2 cup ranch dressing - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese - 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles (optional) - Fresh green onions, finely chopped (for garnish) To make your dip even better, consider adding: - Extra buffalo sauce for more heat - A dash of garlic powder for depth - Jalapeños for a spicy kick Pair this dip with: - Tortilla chips for crunch - Celery sticks for freshness - Carrot sticks for sweetness {{ingredient_image_2}} 1. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step ensures the dip bakes evenly. 2. In a large bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing. Use a hand mixer or a spoon. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. 3. Add the shredded chicken and buffalo sauce into the cream cheese mix. Stir well so every piece of chicken gets that bold flavor. 4. If you like blue cheese, gently fold it in now. Also, add half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix without overdoing it. 5. Spoon the creamy chicken mixture into an 8x8 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly with a spatula. 6. Top the dip with the rest of the cheddar cheese and any extra blue cheese crumbles. This adds a lovely cheesy finish. 7. Place your baking dish in the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Look for bubbly edges and golden cheese on top. 8. Once baked, take the dish out of the oven. Let it cool for a few minutes. 9. Before serving, sprinkle chopped green onions on top for a fresh touch. 10. Serve this warm dip with tortilla chips, celery sticks, and carrot sticks. Enjoy with friends! To make your dip spicier, add more buffalo sauce. Start with a little and taste. If it’s not hot enough, keep adding until you reach your sweet spot. For a milder dip, use less buffalo sauce. You can even mix in some cream cheese to tone down the heat. You can make this dip ahead of time. Simply prepare it, but don’t bake it. Cover it with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, pop it in the oven. Bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes. This way, you save time and stress before your guests arrive. Use a large mixing bowl for easy blending. A hand mixer helps create a smooth dip. A spatula is great for spreading the mixture evenly in the baking dish. A baking dish around 8x8 inches works best for even cooking. Finally, keep some parchment paper handy to line the dish for easy cleanup. Pro Tips Adjust the Spice Level: Feel free to modify the amount of buffalo sauce based on your heat tolerance—less for a milder dip, more for a fiery kick! Mix It Up: Experiment with different cheeses such as pepper jack or Monterey Jack for a unique flavor twist. Serving Temperature: This dip is best served warm—make sure to bake it just until bubbly and golden for the perfect texture. Make Ahead: You can prepare the dip in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just bake it when you're ready to serve for a quick and easy appetizer! {{image_4}} If you love garlic, try adding minced garlic to the dip. Mix in two cloves of minced garlic with the cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing. This change gives the dip a rich, savory taste. It pairs well with the spicy buffalo flavor. You can also use garlic powder if you want a milder taste. To make a lighter dip, swap sour cream with Greek yogurt. This adds protein and cuts calories. Use one cup of plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. It keeps the dip creamy and tangy. You can also use low-fat cream cheese to reduce fat. If you want a vegetarian version, skip the chicken. Replace it with canned chickpeas or white beans. Mash them slightly before mixing with the other ingredients. This adds protein while keeping the dip hearty. You can still use all the same sauces and cheeses for that classic flavor. After enjoying your dip, let it cool down. Place any leftovers in an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to cover it well to keep it fresh. When you're ready to enjoy the dip again, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop the dip into a baking dish. Cover it with foil to avoid drying out. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until it's hot and bubbly. You can also microwave it in a safe dish. Heat it in short bursts, stirring in between, until warm. If you want to save the dip for later, freezing is a great option. Transfer the cooled dip into a freezer-safe container. Seal it tightly to prevent freezer burn. It can stay in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat as mentioned above. Yes, you can use canned chicken! Canned chicken saves time. Just drain and shred it. It works well in this dip. The flavor stays great, and it’s easy to mix in. You can use blue cheese dressing as a substitute. Greek yogurt also works well. If you want a lighter option, try plain yogurt. Each choice gives a unique taste! To make it spicier, add more buffalo sauce. You can also mix in hot sauce. For a milder dip, reduce the buffalo sauce. Adding cream cheese can also help tone down the heat. You now have all the tools to make a great dip. We covered the key ingredients, optional flavors, and tasty dips to pair with your dish. I shared simple instructions for preparation and baking, plus tips for spice, storage, and making ahead. You also learned fun variations, including a creamy garlic option and healthier choices. Make this dip your own, and enjoy sharing it with others. Happy dipping!$

Fiery Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip

A spicy and creamy dip made with shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and cheese, perfect for dipping.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups shredded cooked chicken
0.5 cup buffalo sauce
8 oz cream cheese, softened
0.5 cup sour cream
0.5 cup ranch dressing
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
0.5 cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)
to taste fresh green onions, finely chopped (for garnish)
as needed tortilla chips, celery sticks, and carrot sticks (for serving)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it's ready for baking.
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or spoon to blend the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Incorporate the shredded chicken and buffalo sauce into the cream cheese mixture, stirring thoroughly to ensure that every shred of chicken is coated with the zesty buffalo flavor.
Gently fold in half of the shredded cheddar cheese along with the blue cheese crumbles, if you're using them, making sure not to overmix.
Spoon the creamy chicken mixture into a baking dish, approximately 8x8 inches, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and any leftover blue cheese crumbles generously over the top of the dip.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly and the cheese has melted to a beautiful golden hue.
Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Before serving, sprinkle the top with chopped green onions for a pop of color and freshness.

Notes

Adjust the buffalo sauce according to your spice preference.

Keyword appetizer, buffalo chicken, dip, spicy