Description
This Ultimate Buffalo Chicken Dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring tender chunk chicken combined with spicy hot sauce, creamy cheeses, and flavorful seasonings. Baked to bubbly, golden perfection, it’s perfect for game days, parties, or casual gatherings, served alongside celery sticks, tortilla chips, or crackers.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 4 (10-ounce) cans chunk chicken, drained
- 1½ cups hot pepper sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups ranch dressing
- 3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 green onions, finely chopped (plus more for garnish)
Optional Topping
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
For Serving
- Celery sticks
- Tortilla chips
- Chicken-flavored crackers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the dip.
- Mix chicken and hot sauce: In a large bowl, combine the drained chunk chicken with the hot pepper sauce and garlic powder until well mixed, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated.
- Blend cream cheese and ranch: In a separate bowl, blend the softened cream cheese and ranch dressing together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Combine cheeses and seasonings: Stir the shredded sharp Cheddar, Pepper Jack cheese, finely chopped green onions, and smoked paprika into the cream cheese mixture. Then fold this mixture into the chicken and hot sauce blend until well combined.
- Prepare to bake: Spread the combined mixture evenly into a 9×13-inch baking dish. If desired, sprinkle the optional crumbled blue cheese on top for an extra tangy flavor.
- Bake the dip: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly and slightly browned on top.
- Serve: Allow the dip to cool slightly. Garnish with additional chopped green onions before serving warm with celery sticks, tortilla chips, or chicken-flavored crackers for dipping.
Notes
- For extra heat, use a spicier brand of hot sauce or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated; bake before serving to freshen.
- Use rotisserie chicken if canned chicken is unavailable, adjusting quantity accordingly.
- Blue cheese topping is optional but adds a classic buffalo wing flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
