6 Best Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipes You Need For Game Day

If you’re looking for the ultimate party snack, buffalo chicken dip is where it’s at. I’ve made this a hundred times, tweaked it a dozen ways, and these six versions never disappoint. Whether you’re team classic or want something a little different, you’re covered.

Grab your chips, celery sticks, or honestly just a spoon. Let’s get into it.

best-buffalo-chicken-dip-recipes collage

1. Classic Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup buffalo sauce
½ cup ranch dressing
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
2 green onions, chopped

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grab a medium baking dish.

Honestly, any oven safe dish works. I use a cast iron skillet because it looks nice and keeps things hot longer. If you don’t have one, a regular 8×8 baking dish is perfect. Grease it lightly so nothing sticks later.

Step 2: Mix the cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing in a large bowl until smooth.

This is where the magic starts. Make sure your cream cheese is really soft or it’ll be chunky. Too thick? Add a splash of milk. I usually just microwave the cream cheese for 15 seconds to make life easier. Stir until it’s totally creamy.

Step 3: Fold in the shredded chicken and half of the cheddar cheese.

Use rotisserie chicken to save time. That’s what I do every single time. Mix it all together until the chicken is coated. It should look a little messy and orange. That’s exactly right. Don’t skip this step or your dip will be bland in spots.

Step 4: Transfer everything into your baking dish and top with the remaining cheddar and blue cheese crumbles.

Spread it out evenly. The cheese on top gets all melty and golden, so don’t hold back. If you’re not into blue cheese, just use more cheddar. No judgment here. I add a little extra buffalo sauce on top for color.

Step 5: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.

You’ll know it’s done when the edges are bubbling and the cheese is melted. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving or you’ll burn your mouth. Learned that the hard way. Garnish with green onions and serve with crackers, celery, or tortilla chips.

2. Creamy Ranch Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup sour cream
½ cup ranch dressing
⅓ cup buffalo sauce
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F.

A little hotter than the classic version because we want everything to melt fast and get that bubbly top. Use an oven safe skillet or a shallow baking dish. I like shallow dishes for dips because more surface area means more crispy cheese on top.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, ranch dressing, and buffalo sauce.

Beat it with a hand mixer or just stir really well with a spoon. The sour cream makes this version extra creamy and tangy. It balances the heat from the buffalo sauce. Too spicy? Cut back on the buffalo sauce a bit. This one’s more mild than the classic.

Step 3: Stir in the shredded chicken and half the mozzarella cheese until everything is evenly mixed.

3. Blue Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup sour cream
½ cup buffalo sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¾ cup blue cheese crumbles
3 green onions, sliced

Instructions:

Step 1: Set your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a baking dish.

This version is for blue cheese lovers. If you’re on the fence about blue cheese, start with less and add more later. I make this every year for the Super Bowl and it’s always gone first. Use any baking dish you want, just make sure it’s not too deep.

Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, and buffalo sauce until smooth and creamy.

You want zero lumps. If the cream cheese is cold, it’s going to fight you. Microwave it for 20 seconds. Stir until it looks like a thick, orange sauce. Taste it. If you want more heat, add another tablespoon of buffalo sauce now.

Step 3: Add the shredded chicken, half the mozzarella, and half the blue cheese crumbles.

Fold it all in gently so the blue cheese doesn’t totally break apart. You want chunks of it throughout the dip. This is my favorite part because it starts to smell amazing. If it looks dry, add a splash of milk or a little more sour cream.

Step 4: Pour everything into your baking dish and top with the rest of the mozzarella and blue cheese.

Spread it evenly. The blue cheese on top gets a little crispy and adds so much flavor. Don’t skip this layer. If you’re making this for a crowd and some people don’t like blue cheese, just put it on half the dish.

Step 5: Bake for 25 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned on top.

The edges should be bubbling and the cheese melted all the way through. Let it sit for a few minutes before diving in. Top with green onions right before serving. They add a nice crunch and color. Serve with celery, crackers, or baguette slices.

4. Baked Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup buffalo sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a baking dish or cast iron skillet.

This one’s all about the cheese. Three kinds. It’s ridiculously good. I use a skillet because it looks great when you bring it to the table. If you don’t have one, any shallow dish works. Just make sure it’s oven safe.

Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and buffalo sauce until completely smooth.

The mayo makes it extra rich and creamy. Some people skip it, but trust me, it makes a difference. Stir until there are no lumps. If it’s too thick to mix, warm the cream cheese in the microwave for 15 seconds first.

Step 3: Stir in the shredded chicken, half the cheddar, and half the mozzarella.

Mix it really well so the chicken is coated in that creamy sauce. It should look thick and cheesy already. Taste it now. Need more buffalo flavor? Add another tablespoon. Want it milder? You’re good as is.

Step 4: Spread the mixture into your prepared dish and top with remaining cheddar, mozzarella, and all the Parmesan.

The Parmesan on top gets crispy and adds a salty, nutty flavor. Don’t skip it. Make sure the top is covered evenly. If you love cheese as much as I do, add a little extra. This is a no judgment zone.

Step 5: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the dip is bubbling.

You want that cheese on top to be melted and slightly crispy around the edges. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving so you don’t burn the roof of your mouth. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with tortilla chips, pita bread, or pretzel bites.

5. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
8 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
½ cup ranch dressing
½ cup buffalo sauce
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 green onions, chopped

Instructions:

Step 1: Add the cubed cream cheese, ranch dressing, and buffalo sauce to your slow cooker.

Cut the cream cheese into small cubes so it melts faster. I usually do this the morning of a party and let it cook while I get ready. Set your slow cooker to low. High works too if you’re in a rush, but low is better for even melting.

Step 2: Stir in the shredded chicken and half of both cheeses.

Mix everything together as best you can. It’ll look chunky at first, but that’s fine. The slow cooker does the work for you. Cover it with the lid and walk away. Seriously. Don’t keep opening it or it takes longer to cook.

Step 3: Cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Stir it every 30 minutes or so to make sure the cream cheese melts evenly. After about 2 hours, it should be smooth and creamy. If it looks too thick, add a splash of milk or more ranch. Taste it and adjust the buffalo sauce if you want more heat.

Step 4: About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the remaining cheese.

This keeps it gooey and fresh looking. Let it melt into the dip. If you’re keeping it warm for a party, just leave the slow cooker on the warm setting. It’ll stay perfect for hours. I’ve done this so many times for tailgates.

Step 5: Give it one final stir and top with chopped green onions before serving.

The green onions add a little crunch and color. Serve it straight from the slow cooker with chips, crackers, or veggies on the side. This is the easiest version and honestly tastes just as good as the baked ones.

6. Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
8 oz light cream cheese, softened
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
⅓ cup buffalo sauce
1 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
2 green onions, sliced
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly spray a baking dish with cooking spray.

This version cuts the calories but keeps all the flavor. I make this when I’m trying to eat a little lighter but still want something indulgent. Use a shallow dish so the top gets nice and golden.

Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the light cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and buffalo sauce until smooth.

Greek yogurt adds protein and makes it creamy without all the extra fat. Stir it really well. If it’s lumpy, your cream cheese wasn’t soft enough. Microwave it for 10 seconds and stir again. It should be smooth and tangy.

Step 3: Fold in the shredded chicken and half of both cheeses.

Use lean chicken breast to keep it healthy. Mix everything until it’s evenly coated. The mixture will be a little thinner than the full fat versions, but that’s normal. It thickens up as it bakes.

Step 4: Spread the mixture into your baking dish and top with the remaining mozzarella and cheddar.

If you want to add feta on top, do it now. It adds a nice salty kick. Make sure the cheese covers the whole top. This creates that golden, bubbly layer everyone loves.

Step 5: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the dip is hot and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Check it around 20 minutes. If the top isn’t golden yet, give it a few more minutes. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Top with green onions. Serve with baked pita chips, bell pepper strips, or cucumber slices for an even lighter option.

Final Thoughts

There you go. Six ways to make buffalo chicken dip, and every single one is worth making. Pick your favorite or try them all. I rotate through these depending on my mood and who I’m feeding.

Let me know which one you try first. And if you have your own twist, I’d love to hear it. Drop a comment and happy dipping.