Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

Name: Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 3 cups diced cooked rotisserie chicken; 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened; 0.75 cup hot pepper sauce (such as Frank's RedHot®); 0.5 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese; 0.5 cup blue cheese dressing; 0.5 cup crumbled blue cheese; 0.5 teaspoon seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay®); 2 pinches cayenne pepper, divided; 2 tablespoons shredded pepper Jack cheese; 1 tablespoon thinly sliced green onions

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe was developed at its original yield. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged. Note that not all recipes scale perfectly.

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings:

3 cups diced cooked rotisserie chicken
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
cup hot pepper sauce (such as Frank's RedHot)
cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
cup blue cheese dressing
cup crumbled blue cheese
teaspoon seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay)
2 pinches cayenne pepper, divided
2 tablespoons shredded pepper Jack cheese
1 tablespoon thinly sliced green onions (Optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).
In a large bowl, stir together the chicken, cream cheese, hot pepper sauce, cup of shredded pepper Jack, blue cheese dressing, crumbled blue cheese, seafood seasoning, and one pinch of cayenne pepper. Mix until well combined.
Transfer the mixture to a 9-inch round baking dish. Spread it out evenly with a spatula.
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of shredded pepper Jack cheese over the top of the mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and bubbly.
Remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle another pinch of cayenne pepper over the top and garnish with thinly sliced green onions if desired.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrition Facts	Amount per Serving
Calories	407
Total Fat	36g
Saturated Fat	18g
Cholesterol	107mg
Sodium	1093mg
Total Carbohydrate	3g
Dietary Fiber	0g
Total Sugars	2g
Protein	17g
Vitamin C	16mg
Calcium	161mg
Iron	1mg
Potassium	199mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

History of Buffalo Chicken Dip

The origin of Buffalo Chicken Dip is closely tied to the rise of Buffalo wings in American cuisine. Buffalo wings, the deep-fried chicken wings coated in a spicy, tangy sauce, were invented in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. The combination of hot sauce and chicken became iconic, and soon after, creative variations of this flavor profile began appearing in appetizers, including dips. The Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip emerged as a creamy, cheesy alternative to the traditional Buffalo wing, offering a dipable form of the beloved spicy chicken wings. Its popularity surged, especially for Super Bowl parties, potlucks, and casual gatherings, where the dish became a staple.

Regional Features of Buffalo Chicken Dip

While Buffalo wings are synonymous with the city of Buffalo, New York, the dip is widely enjoyed across the United States. The dish is often prepared with local variations depending on the region. For example, in the southern U.S., some people swap out blue cheese dressing for ranch dressing, a preference more common in that region. The dip is versatile and can be customized by adjusting the level of heat, the type of cheese, or even adding additional seasonings like Old Bay, commonly used in Maryland, for a seafood-inspired twist. No matter where it's made, the dip retains the signature spicy and tangy profile that makes it so beloved.

What Makes It Different from Similar Dishes?

Buffalo Chicken Dip stands out from other similar dips due to its rich, creamy texture and the combination of spicy hot sauce with the smoothness of cream cheese and blue cheese dressing. Unlike typical cheese dips, which are often mild and cheesy, Buffalo Chicken Dip introduces a sharp, fiery kick from the hot sauce. Its use of shredded chicken also makes it a heartier option, differentiating it from dips like queso or guacamole. The inclusion of both blue cheese and blue cheese dressing gives it a distinctive flavor that is either loved or disliked, depending on individual preferences.

Where Is Buffalo Chicken Dip Usually Served?

Buffalo Chicken Dip is a popular choice for casual gatherings such as Super Bowl parties, game nights, barbecues, and potlucks. Its creamy texture and bold flavors make it an ideal snack for dipping with tortilla chips, celery sticks, or crackers. Its often found at tailgates and family-friendly parties, where guests can easily serve themselves. The dip can be baked and served hot, making it an excellent choice for keeping guests satisfied during long events. In some cases, people serve it in a slow cooker to keep it warm for extended periods.

Interesting Facts About Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo Chicken Dip became widely popular after its appearance on various food blogs and cooking websites in the mid-2000s.
The dip is often made with rotisserie chicken, making it a quick and easy dish to prepare for last-minute gatherings.
While the dish is most often made with Franks RedHot sauce, some cooks prefer experimenting with other hot sauces, such as Cholula or Sriracha, to create unique variations.
There are many regional variations of the dip; for example, in some parts of the U.S., ranch dressing is substituted for blue cheese dressing, offering a milder version for those who don't enjoy blue cheese.
The dip is often a hit at parties because its both indulgent and easily customizable to suit a variety of taste preferences, from mild to extra spicy.

Conclusion

Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip is a tasty and satisfying appetizer that blends the bold flavors of Buffalo wings with the creaminess of a dip. With its roots in Buffalo, New York, and its adaptation to different regional preferences, this dish has become a go-to for social gatherings across the country. Whether you prefer the classic blue cheese flavor or opt for a ranch-based variation, this dip is sure to be a crowd favorite at your next event!

FAQ about Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

Leftover Buffalo Chicken Dip can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Be sure to allow it to cool to room temperature before storing to prevent condensation inside the container. To reheat, you can warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes or heat it gently in the microwave.

Yes, you can freeze Buffalo Chicken Dip. Store it in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag for up to 2-3 months. When you're ready to enjoy it, thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until it's hot and bubbly.

Yes, you can make Buffalo Chicken Dip a day or two in advance. Prepare the dip as instructed, then cover it and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake it. When you're ready, simply bake it in the preheated oven as per the recipe instructions, though it may take a few extra minutes if it's cold from the fridge.

There are many ways to customize this recipe based on your preferences. You can substitute blue cheese with ranch dressing or even a combination of both. You can also experiment with different hot sauces, such as buffalo sauce, or add extra spices like cumin, chili powder, or smoked paprika. For a less spicy version, reduce the amount of hot sauce and cayenne pepper. Some people also like to add diced celery or green onions for extra crunch and flavor.

Yes, you can use a slow cooker to make Buffalo Chicken Dip. Simply mix all the ingredients as directed and transfer the mixture to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the dip is hot and bubbly. This method is especially convenient for parties since you can keep the dip warm in the slow cooker throughout the event.

To adjust the spice level, you can add more or less hot sauce, depending on your preference. If you want a milder dip, reduce the amount of hot sauce and cayenne pepper or substitute with a milder sauce, such as a BBQ or ranch-flavored hot sauce. For more heat, add extra cayenne pepper or use a hotter hot sauce, such as habanero or Sriracha.

Buffalo Chicken Dip is great with a variety of dipping options! You can serve it with tortilla chips, crackers, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or sliced cucumbers. For a more indulgent option, serve it with crunchy chips like Fritos or toasted baguette slices.

Yes, rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut for this recipe. It’s already cooked and shredded, which saves time. Just make sure to remove the skin and bones before using it in the dip. You can also use cooked chicken breasts or thighs if you prefer.

Comments

Valerie Brunmeier

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

I'm rating this 4 stars but don't get me wrong, it's very addictive, just be sure everyone in your group loves blue cheese. I prefer the original Frank's recipe which is on this site. If I were to make this one again, I would use either the blue cheese dressing or fresh blue cheese, but not both. I personally thought it was a bit overwhelming. I've done it before with Ranch and the result was amazing.

BibahB

02/06/2017 04:17:24 AM

This dip was a hit. I followed the directions except for the blue cheese & blue cheese dressing. After I mixed everything beside the blue cheese I halved the mix & added blue cheese & blue cheese dressing to one half. The other half I added ranch dressing too. I baked them in separate dishes & I topped them both with pepper jack cheese (the one with blue cheese I added some more crumbles to the top). The teens at the party enjoyed the ranch based dip & the adults devoured the blue cheese based dips.

Raymond Young

09/22/2016 10:25:54 PM

This recipe is now a staple in my house.

pmosher

02/08/2016 08:56:49 AM

Huge hit at our Super Bowl party! In fairness, it was an all-adult party, so didn't encounter any resistance from young folk to the bleu cheese. That said, I actually cut back a little on the bleu cheese, as not all at the party were lovers of that taste. I simply omitted the 1/2 cup of crumbled cheese, but included the bleu cheese dressing. The result was perfect, tangy, but not overpowering. Following one other reviewer's suggestion, I shredded the chicken in my food processor. This worked great, much faster than with a knife, and pretty evenly "diced." (The chicken was cold from the fridge, so I don't know whether it would work as well with warm chicken meat.) Not much left over, will definitely make again!

Jackie

07/05/2019 02:10:16 PM

Was a big hit at a 4th ok for July gathering. Very flavorful. I used premium canned chicken breast because it was all I had on hand. Worked well and made prep super easy. I cut the blue cheese with a few spoonfuls of ranch because of some of the other reviews, but probably won't next time. It wasn't that spicy or that blue chees-y (but I can eat blue cheese by the spoonfuls!). Everyone loved it so I have lots of recipe requests to fill this morning! I also placed the mixture in a crock pot (r) on high for an hour and then then low for 30 minutes instead of baking. Transported to party in crock pot and kept on warm setting for the afternoon. Worked well. Will definitely make this again!

Sherry Scullion

11/17/2019 06:54:13 PM

My husband loved it. I thought the crumbled blue cheese was too strong since I'm not a big fan of blue cheese. When I made it the 2nd time, I removed that ingredient and it was perfect for the both of us. I also add a 1/4 cup of diced, fresh green onion...half mixed in the dip and the other half as garnish as soon as it comes out of the oven.

Kristina E Bergman

02/02/2020 07:39:04 PM

Delish! I added 1/4 cup sour cream for a more softer consistency. And added 1/2 tsp. more of Old Bay.

Erica Kenney

02/05/2017 08:41:34 PM

I made several modifications. I shredded 4 boneless skinless breasts, used a block and a half of cream cheese, a packet of ranch seasoning and 3/4 cup hot sauce. There was no need for additional ranch dressing. Crushed ritz crackers on top. Delicious!

canukgirl

03/08/2020 08:09:47 PM

This was the hit of the potluck! Even kids who would never consider touching blue cheese went mad for this. Based on other reviews, I used home-made ranch instead of blue cheese dressing, but threw in just a little extra blue cheese to keep the bite. I was also concerned that this could be quite salty, so I cooked my own chicken, taking care not to use too much salt.

Lydia

10/27/2018 07:55:22 PM

I loved the dip I made! I did make some alterations to cater to my party guests, however, some of which don’t like bleu cheese, much as I love it. I used buffalo sauce instead of the hot sauce, and Moore’s Buffalo Ranch sauce instead of the bleu cheese dressing, that way it wasn’t too ranch heavy and it got a little extra buffalo taste. In place of the bleu cheese crumbles I used Gorgonzola because it has a similar enough taste for me, and my guests didn’t mind Gorgonzola as much. And the last alteration I made was that in addition to the pepper jack I sprinkled on top I also added freshly grated hot habenero cheddar. This recipe was absolutely delectable, I served it with celery and crostini. One day when I’m not trying to please people though, I’ll make the original recipe for myself. My favorite part was the old bay. I live in Maryland and we put old bay on everything, so I thought it added that extra something special.

Howard

02/04/2018 08:22:11 PM

My Review is based on changes I made after reading through the reviews and making some adjustments. I used all the meat from a 2lb 5oz Roasted chicken which produced 4 Cups and used only 1 (8oz) Package of cream cheese. And because we were bringing this to a party in Ranch Dressing Country (Texas), I omitted all of the Blue Cheese from the recipe but brought some on the side. I really think the adjustments worked really well to address the "Too cheesy" comments, the Blue Cheese concerns and the too oily comments. This was a big winner!

Michelle Neuman

09/16/2025 09:56:20 PM

Use buffalo sauce instead of frank's red hot or the whole dish will taste like frank's red hot instead of BUFFALO chicken. It was tasty, but I wanted buffalo flavor and it just ended up tasting like Frank's red hot.

YellowZiti6387

08/23/2025 06:09:38 PM

Delicious

DFOSTER2000

02/10/2025 04:26:18 AM

Pretty spicy for my tasted. The hot sauce didn’t have the greatest flavor.

Dorothy Clark

02/09/2025 07:03:21 PM

Instant favorite in our house.

Jason Carter

02/09/2025 04:39:28 PM

Seriously, best recipe I’ve tried in ages.

cojosmom

01/08/2025 12:43:15 AM

This dip is awesome! I am told to bring it to every get together...been making it for at least 10 years. Use Frank's cayenne, not buffalo sauce. Don't be put off by the blue cheese, my family thinks they don't like blue cheese but they LOVE this dip!!! Great with fritos and a veggie tray.

Marianne

04/04/2023 11:58:45 PM

Sooooo good!! Not a drop left by the guests!!! Was the rave of the party!! Followed the directions by Chef John exactly!

Beth

08/24/2022 02:01:38 PM

I have made this a couple times now with a few changes. I don't use the full amount of cream cheese but use half the amount with sour cream. I also do not like bleu cheese at all and just use ranch instead with Mexican melting cheese to sub the crumbles. I have been using the different flavors of Cholula hot sauce for this and so far the green pepper was my favorite. I'm going to use the chili lime one this weekend. I also end up adding some spices & herbs for more flavor- oregano, cumin, chili powder, fresh chives, etc. I like the suggestion of using a BBQ rotisserie instead of a plain one. Overall, a good recipe.