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This Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip delivers all the bold flavor of buffalo chicken wings in a creamy, cheesy dip that's just spicy enough to keep things interesting. And since it's made in the slow cooker, it stays warm for hours, making it an ideal option for entertaining or a game day menu.
Love buffalo chicken? Don't miss Boneless Buffalo Chicken Wings, Instant Pot Buffalo Wings, Buffalo Chicken Salad, and Buffalo Chicken Pizza.
Kristen's Keys for Buffalo Chicken Dip
A few small details make a big difference when it comes to getting a dip that's creamy, smooth, and full of classic buffalo flavor.
- Skip fat-free dairy. Use full-fat or reduced-fat cream cheese and regular ranch (or bleu cheese) dressing. Fat-free options tend to separate as they heat, which can leave the dip thin or oily instead of creamy.
- Let the cream cheese soften first. Starting with room-temperature cream cheese helps it melt quickly and evenly, so you don't end up chasing stubborn lumps around the slow cooker.
- Use prepared buffalo sauce, not hot sauce. Buffalo wing sauce is thicker and milder than straight hot sauce. Using hot sauce alone can make the dip overly spicy and much thinner than intended.
- Stir every 30 minutes or so. This keeps the bottom from overheating and helps everything melt together evenly, especially if you're using a larger slow cooker.
What you Need
Just 6 simple ingredients are all you need to make this incredible dip. Finishing with bleu cheese crumbles, a drizzle of hot sauce, and minced cilantro adds visual appeal and a bit more flavor, but those are completely optional.
- Cream Cheese: Cubed and at room temperature. And remember, never use fat-free cream cheese when making this dip.
- Ranch Dressing: Bleu cheese works too if that is more your thing, but I find ranch is a more universally loved flavor. And again, avoid fat-free versions.
- Buffalo Sauce: Look for buffalo wing sauce or buffalo sauce, not simply hot sauce. I typically opt for Frank's RedHot Wing sauce or homemade buffalo sauce.
- Garlic Powder: Optional, but highly recommended if you love garlic.
- Chicken: Any leftover cooked chicken (like rotisserie chicken) works well here.
- Cheese: Select sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, or Monterey Jack. And while bagged shredded cheese will work, taking a few minutes to grate it yourself ensures a smooth melt and velvety consistency.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Dip in the Slow Cooker
This crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip is as easy as dump, heat, stir, and serve.
Step One: Combine
Lightly spray the liner with cooking spray. Add the cubed cream cheese, ranch dressing, garlic powder, diced chicken, buffalo sauce, and cheese and stir to combine.
Step Two: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on HIGH for 1-2 hours or LOW for 3-4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes or so.
Note on Size of Slow Cooker: Keep in mind that a 6-quart slow cooker will cook a bit faster than a 3-quart slow cooker.
Step Three: Serve
Once the cream cheese is fully melted and the dip is hot and creamy, switch the slow cooker to WARM. This keeps the dip perfectly scoopable for hours.
For a finishing touch, sprinkle with minced cilantro, crumbled bleu cheese, or add a light drizzle of hot sauce just before serving. Totally optional, but it does make the dip look extra inviting.
Serve with crackers, tortilla chips, veggies, or crostini, and let the dipping commence.
Recipe FAQs
You can leave the dip on the warm setting for up to 4 hours. After that, the dip will begin to dry out.
This recipe works well in either a mini or standard size slow cooker. If using a standard slow cooker, the dip may heat through a little faster since the ingredients are spread out more. Keep an eye on it and switch to warm once everything is melted.
If you are using a standard size slow cooker, yes! Simply double and cook as directed. Perfect for larger gatherings.
Celery sticks, carrot sticks, tortilla chips, crackers, pita bread, or toasted baguette slices all work well.
Note on Leftovers
On the rare occasion that you happen to have any leftover Buffalo Chicken Dip, it will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Heat in the microwave in a heat-safe dish for 30-60 seconds for a quick snack.
- Add to a Wrap or Sandwich: Smear the dip (cold or warm) on a bread or a tortilla, top with sliced tomatoes and lettuce. Delicious!
- Make Tacos: Use as the filling for a quick version of buffalo chicken tacos.
- Try a Pizza or Quesadilla: Add to a cheese quesadilla, use to make a quick pita pizza, or as the base of the buffalo chicken pizza.
More Crowd-Pleasing Dips
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Video
Ingredients
- cooking spray
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, cubed and at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup prepared ranch dressing
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1 cup shredded colby jack cheese, grated by hand
- 2 cups diced cooked chicken
Instructions
- Spray the slow cooker liner lightly with cooking spray. Add the cubed cream cheese, garlic powder, ranch, buffalo wing sauce, cheese, and chicken to the slow cooker. Mix gently to combine with a spatula.
- Cover and cook on high heat for 1-2 hours, or low heat for 3-4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.
- Once the cream cheese is fully melted and the dip has warmed through, turn to warm, and hold warm for up to 4 hours. If desired, sprinkle with minced cilantro, crumbled bleu cheese, or add a light drizzle of hot sauce just before serving.
- Serve with veggies, crackers, chips, etc
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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