Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Game Day Favorite Appetizers.
Creamy, spicy, and perfectly cheesy buffalo chicken dip made effortlessly in the slow cooker. The ultimate hands-off appetizer for any gathering.
I remember the first time I made this. It was for a football game party years ago. The house was buzzing, and I was trying to juggle a million things. I layered this dip in the crock pot that morning and honestly kind of forgot about it. Then, about an hour before guests arrived, this incredible, tangy, cheesy aroma started wafting from the kitchen. Everyone gravitated toward it. People were gathered around the slow cooker with chips, celery sticks, little pieces of bread… it became the heart of the party. Now, it’s not a gathering at our place without it.
Why This Recipe Feels Like a Hug
- •It’s a true 'set it and forget it' recipe, giving you time to relax.
- •The warm, bubbly cheese is pure comfort food.
- •It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser; seriously, everyone loves it.
- •The whole house smells amazing while it cooks.
- •Clean-up is a breeze with just one pot.
- •It feels special but is honestly so, so easy.
Wow, I made this for our movie night, and my family devoured it! My husband kept saying it was the best buffalo chicken dip he’s ever had. It was so simple to put together, and the crock pot did all the work. This is definitely my new go-to party recipe.
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Cooked Chicken: A rotisserie chicken is my little secret here. It saves so much time and adds a lovely flavor. You can also use any leftover cooked chicken you have on hand.
- Cream Cheese: Use a full-fat block of cream cheese. It melts down so much better than the spreadable kind in a tub. Just cube it up so it melts evenly.
- Hot Sauce: Frank's RedHot is the classic choice for that authentic buffalo flavor without overwhelming heat. You can, of course, adjust the amount to your personal spice preference.
- Shredded Cheese: I love a mix of sharp cheddar for flavor and mozzarella for that perfect cheesy pull. Shredding your own from a block is always best, as it melts creamier.
Complete Cooking Process
- First, just gather your ingredients. Having everything out on the counter makes it feel calm and simple.
- If you need to, shred your cooked chicken. I find using two forks is the easiest way to do it.
- Cut your softened cream cheese into small cubes. This just helps it melt into the dip more easily.
- Now, simply layer everything into your slow cooker. The chicken, the cheeses, the ranch, the hot sauce. Everything.
- Give it a quick, gentle stir. It will look a bit messy, but trust the process. Magic is about to happen.
- Put the lid on, set it to LOW, and walk away. Go read a book, chat with your family, or just enjoy the peace.
- After a couple of hours, you'll see it’s all melty and bubbly around the edges.
- Open the lid and give it a really good stir. This is the fun part, watching it all come together into a creamy, dreamy dip.
- Sprinkle with some fresh green onions for a little color and freshness. Set out all your dippers and let everyone enjoy.
A Few Common Questions
→Can I use canned chicken for this?
Yes, you absolutely can. Just make sure to drain it very well to avoid a watery dip. I find rotisserie chicken has a better texture, but canned works in a pinch!
→How can I adjust the spice level?
It's so easy to customize. For less spice, use a milder hot sauce or reduce the amount to 1/2 cup. For more heat, add an extra 1/4 cup of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
→Can I prepare this ahead of time?
You can! Mix all the ingredients (except the garnish) in the removable crock pot insert, cover it, and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just add a little extra cooking time when you're ready to heat it up.
→What if I don't have a crock pot?
No problem. You can make this in a baking dish in the oven. Just mix everything together, spread it in the dish, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, until it's hot and bubbly.
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Cheesy crock pot buffalo chicken dip is a crowd-pleaser! Creamy, spicy, and easy—perfect for game day or movie night. Get the recipe!
Timing
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
2 hours
Total Time
2 hours 10 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Dip
- 013 cups cooked shredded chicken (about 1.5 lbs)
- 021 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 031 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 041/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 051 cup ranch dressing
- 063/4 cup hot sauce (like Frank's RedHot)
- 072 green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish
For Serving
- 01Tortilla chips
- 02Celery sticks
- 03Carrot sticks
- 04Crackers
- 05Toasted baguette slices
Instructions
Place the shredded chicken, cubed cream cheese, shredded cheddar, shredded mozzarella, ranch dressing, and hot sauce into the bowl of a 4-quart slow cooker.
Stir everything together until it's roughly combined. Don't worry if it's not perfectly smooth; it will all melt together.
Cover the crock pot and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours or on HIGH for 1-1.5 hours, until the dip is hot and the cheeses are fully melted.
About 15 minutes before serving, give the dip a good stir to combine all the melted ingredients into a creamy mixture.
Keep the crock pot on the 'WARM' setting during your party. Garnish with sliced green onions just before serving.
Serve warm with your favorite dippers like tortilla chips, celery, carrots, or crackers. Enjoy the quiet compliments.
Notes & Tips
- 1You can easily double this recipe for a larger crowd; just use a bigger (6-quart) slow cooker.
- 2Feel free to experiment with different cheeses! A Monterey Jack or Colby blend would also be delicious.
- 3Keep the slow cooker on the 'WARM' setting to keep the dip perfect throughout your party.
Tools You'll Need
- •Use softened cream cheese. It makes stirring so much easier and prevents lumps.
- •Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded bags have coatings that can make the dip a little grainy.
- •A rotisserie chicken is a wonderful time-saver and adds great flavor.
- •Stir the dip well before serving to make sure it's smooth and creamy throughout.
- •If the dip gets too thick, you can stir in a splash of milk to thin it out.