Nothing says party like a gooey, flavorful dip bubbling away all day. This Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe is my go-to for gatherings because it’s easy, you can prep it ahead, and it hits that perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and cheesy that everyone loves.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can’t tell you how many times this dip saved the day at my parties. It’s a total crowd-pleaser and the crockpot method means you set it and forget it until it’s time to eat. Plus, it’s packed with layers of flavor—from the tang of blue cheese to the smoky paprika and, of course, that spicy buffalo kick.
- Hands-off cooking: Once the ingredients go in the crockpot, you’re free to mingle or prep other dishes.
- Rich, layered flavors: The combination of spices, cheese, and buffalo sauce creates a really addictive taste.
- Versatile serving options: Perfect with chips, veggies, crackers—you name it, this dip plays nice with it.
- Party-tested: I’ve brought this to casual game nights and more formal get-togethers, and it’s always the first bowl to empty.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe lies in the perfect match of creamy, spicy, and savory ingredients. Each ingredient plays a role in delivering that crave-worthy flavor and texture you want in a dip that’s effortless to prepare.
- Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce: The star of any buffalo dish, it provides the right heat and tang. Be sure to pick the buffalo version, not the original for proper flavor.
- Full fat sour cream: Adds creaminess and a cool balance to the spice.
- Dry ranch dressing seasoning mix: Brings a herby, savory zip that complements the hot sauce perfectly.
- Chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt: These spices add warmth and depth without overpowering the dip.
- Cooked shredded chicken: The hearty protein base – rotisserie chicken works great here for convenience and flavor.
- Blue cheese crumbles: A bold tang that’s essential to buffalo flavor profiles; adds a punch if you like it.
- Cheddar & mozzarella cheese: Cheddar brings sharpness and color, mozzarella offers gooey meltiness.
- Full-fat cream cheese: Creates that ultra-rich, smooth texture you want in a creamy dip.
Make It Your Way
What’s great about this Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often swap out the blue cheese if guests aren’t fans or kick up the spice with extra hot sauce for those who like it fiery. Feel free to make it your own!
- Variation: I once added some crispy bacon bits on top near the end of cooking—total crowd pleaser every time!
- Dairy-Free Option: Try vegan cream cheese and dairy-free cheeses if you need to avoid dairy; just expect a slight texture change.
- Milder Version: Use less hot sauce and swap blue cheese for more cheddar to suit sensitive palates.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe
Step 1: Prep your crockpot and mix the base
Start by spraying your crockpot insert with nonstick spray—that way, the cheesy goodness won’t stick to the sides, making cleanup a breeze. Next, whisk together the buffalo sauce, sour cream, ranch seasoning, and all those cozy spices right in the crockpot. This ensures every bite is bursting with flavor from the start.
Step 2: Add the chicken and cheeses
Stir in the shredded chicken, blue cheese crumbles, 1 cup of cheddar, and ⅓ cup of mozzarella. These all meld together to build that hearty, tangy base. For the cream cheese, I microwave the cubed pieces for about 25 seconds just to soften them, then lay them evenly over the mix but don’t stir yet — they’ll melt beautifully as it cooks.
Step 3: Cook low and slow
Cover and cook on low for about an hour before stirring everything together. This helps the flavors marry. Depending on your crockpot’s age and size, it might need another hour or so, stirring occasionally, until the dip is luscious and melted through.
Step 4: Finish with cheesy goodness
Top it with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella, then cover and cook for an additional 20 minutes. This final layer adds a gorgeous, melty cheesy cap that’s irresistible. When ready, keep the dip warm on low heat while you gather your dippers.
Top Tip
Having made this dip many times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference. These tips will help you get that perfect, creamy texture and rich flavor every single time.
- Softening the cream cheese: Don’t skip the microwave step for the cream cheese—it allows for smoother melting without chunks.
- Don’t stir cream cheese at first: Let it melt on top undisturbed for a more even, cheesy layer you can swirl in when you stir later.
- Use freshly shredded cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents that can affect melting and texture.
- Monitor cook times: Crockpot temps vary; check dip after an hour and stir to avoid burning or uneven cooking.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of topping this dip with freshly sliced green onions and extra blue cheese crumbles for that punch of tang and color—it just elevates the whole presentation. Sometimes I toss in some chopped cilantro or parsley for brightness too.
Side Dishes
It pairs perfectly with sturdy dippers like crunchy tortilla chips, thick-cut pretzels, or toasted crostini. I also love offering an assortment of fresh veggies—carrots, celery sticks, and bell pepper strips add a refreshing crunch and balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special events, I’ve served the dip in mini bread bowls or hollowed out small pumpkins for a fun fall twist. Another hit is scooping the dip into individual small ramekins with a variety of dippers around a festive platter—makes it feel fancy but still approachable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Buffalo chicken dip keeps really well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I usually transfer leftovers into a glass container once cooled for easier reheating and to avoid plastic smells.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this dip a couple of times, and it thaws nicely in the fridge overnight. When frozen, the texture softens just a bit but reheating with a stir brings it right back to life.
Reheating
For leftovers, I reheat gently in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between, or pop it in a warm oven-safe dish at 350°F until just hot. This helps keep the cheese smooth rather than rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Mix everything together and store it in the crockpot insert covered in the refrigerator overnight. Then, just cook it the next day as directed. This actually deepens the flavors.
I love using rotisserie chicken because it’s convenient and flavorful, but you can also use poached, baked, or leftover cooked chicken. Just be sure to shred it finely for even mixing.
Yes! Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to suit your spice tolerance. You can also add a splash of hot sauce for extra heat or reduce it and add more sour cream to tame the spice.
Serve it warm with a variety of dippers such as tortilla chips, pretzels, baked crackers, and fresh vegetable sticks. Garnishing with green onions and blue cheese really enhances the flavor and presentation.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe is one of those dishes I come back to again and again because it’s so forgiving and endlessly delicious. It's always a hit with friends and family, and the best part? You can walk away while it works its magic, no stress involved. I hope you enjoy making it and sharing it just as much as I do!
Print
Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This creamy and spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for parties and game days. Made in a crockpot, this easy-to-make dip features shredded chicken mixed with buffalo sauce, ranch seasoning, a blend of cheeses, and cream cheese, slow-cooked to melty perfection. Serve warm with an assortment of chips, crackers, and veggies for the ultimate flavorful snack.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ⅔ cup Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce, NOT original/traditional
- ¾ cup full fat sour cream
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 pound (4 packed cups) cooked and shredded chicken (about 1 large rotisserie)
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1 ⅓ packed cups finely shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ⅔ packed cups finely shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, cubed into 12 pieces
For Serving
- Green onions, chopped
- Crumbled blue cheese
- Cilantro or parsley
- Chips, crackers, crostini, pretzels, and/or vegetables like carrots, celery sticks, and bell peppers
Instructions
- Prep Crockpot: Spray the crockpot insert with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking during cooking.
- Combine Ingredients: In the crockpot, whisk together the buffalo sauce, sour cream, ranch seasoning, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt until well combined. Stir in the shredded chicken, blue cheese crumbles, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and ⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese evenly.
- Add Cream Cheese: Microwave the cubed cream cheese on a plate for 25 seconds to soften. Evenly distribute the softened cream cheese cubes over the chicken mixture in the crockpot without stirring them in.
- Cook the Dip: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 1 hour. After 1 hour, stir the mixture carefully to combine the cream cheese with the other ingredients.
- Continue Cooking: Depending on your crockpot, cook for an additional 1 to 1 ½ hours on low, stirring occasionally, until all the cheeses have melted and the dip is hot and bubbly.
- Top with Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ⅓ cup cheddar cheese and ⅓ cup mozzarella cheese evenly over the dip. Cover and cook on low for another 20 minutes until the top cheese is melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Turn the crockpot heat to low or warm setting to keep the dip hot during serving. Garnish with chopped green onions, extra blue cheese crumbles, and fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve warm with chips, crackers, crostini, pretzels, and assorted fresh vegetables.
Notes
- For a spicier dip, add more buffalo sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and great flavor; alternatively, poached or baked chicken works well.
- If you don’t have a microwave, soften cream cheese by leaving it at room temperature for 30 minutes before adding.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt, depending on the saltiness of your cheeses and ranch mix.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the crockpot or microwave.
- Serve with a variety of dippers such as tortilla chips, toasted baguette slices, or fresh veggie sticks for added texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/16 of recipe
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Leave a Reply