There’s something magical about a slow-cooked, creamy dip that brings a crowd together, don’t you think? This Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe fills your kitchen with that irresistible spicy, cheesy aroma and keeps everyone coming back for more. It’s truly one of those dishes that turns any gathering into a celebration.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve brought this Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe to game days, family nights, or just casual hangouts — and it disappears fast. It’s special because it’s effortlessly delicious, super cheesy, and the slow cooker makes it a hands-off winner.
- Effortless Prep: Just toss everything into your crockpot and let it do the work—perfect if you want to enjoy your company rather than fuss with the stove.
- Flavor-Packed: The combination of Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Sauce and spices delivers that classic spicy kick balanced with creamy richness.
- Cheesy Goodness: With three kinds of cheese—and that melty cream cheese—you get layers of texture and comfort in every bite.
- Crowd Pleaser: It’s the ultimate appetizer for parties, and leftovers (if there are any) taste even better the next day.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This blend of ingredients is what makes the Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe so addictive. Every component combines to create the perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and tang, so a few smart choices here make all the difference.
- Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce: The star of the show—don’t substitute with original or mild sauces or you’ll lose that signature buffalo punch.
- Full fat sour cream: Adds a smooth tang and richness that mellow the heat without dulling the flavor.
- Dry ranch dressing seasoning mix: Packs in that herby, savory bite that plays beautifully against the spicy sauce.
- Spices (chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt): Layer the flavor with smoky and savory notes that elevate the dip.
- Cooked and shredded chicken: I love using rotisserie chicken because it’s tender and convenient, but leftover grilled or poached chicken works too.
- Blue cheese crumbles: Adds a punchy, creamy contrast that’s essential in buffalo dips.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Provides sharpness and melts smoothly for gooey satisfaction.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Gives stretch and melty texture that pulls the dip all together.
- Full-fat cream cheese: The unsung hero that makes the dip luxuriously creamy—cubed and melted slowly to keep the texture just right.
Make It Your Way
This Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe is endlessly adaptable! I like tweaking the spice level depending on my guests; sometimes I add extra Frank’s, and other times I ease up with a touch more sour cream to keep it friendlier for kids.
- Variation: Once, I stirred in some diced jalapeños for an extra kick—my spice-loving friends couldn’t get enough! Feel free to swap out blue cheese for more cheddar if you or your crowd aren’t big fans.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe
Step 1: Set Up Your Crockpot for Success
First things first, spray your crockpot insert generously with nonstick cooking spray. This little step saves you from a sticky, frustrating cleanup later. Trust me, it makes a world of difference!
Step 2: Mix Your Base Ingredients
Whisk together the hot sauce, full-fat sour cream, ranch seasoning, and the spices right in the crockpot. This way, the flavors start marrying early. Then stir in the shredded chicken, blue cheese, 1 cup of cheddar, and ⅓ cup of mozzarella so everything begins melding.
Step 3: Add Cream Cheese Cubes
Pop the cubed cream cheese into the microwave for about 25 seconds — just to soften it slightly. Scatter those cubes evenly over the chicken mixture without stirring. This slower integration helps the cream cheese melt evenly for a smooth texture.
Step 4: Slow Cook and Stir
Cover and cook on low for 1 hour. After this, give everything a good stir to blend the melting cream cheese fully into the dip. This usually gets the mix hot and melty, but if you have an older or smaller crockpot, you might need an extra 1 to 1½ hours with occasional stirring.
Step 5: Add Remaining Cheese and Melt
Sprinkle the rest of your cheddar and mozzarella over the top evenly, cover again, and let it cook on low for about 20 more minutes. That final melt gives you a gorgeous golden, bubbly cheesy topping that’s impossible to resist.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve Warm
Switch your crockpot to warm and sprinkle with fresh green onions and more blue cheese crumbles if you like. Then set out chips, crackers, crispy crostini, or crunchy veggies—and watch everyone dig in happily.
Top Tip
After making this dip dozens of times, these tips consistently help me nail that perfect buffalo flavor and melty texture every single time.
- Use Real Buffalo Sauce: Sticking to Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce—not their original mild—is key to capturing that authentic tangy heat.
- Don’t Skip the Ranch Mix: It adds the perfect seasoning punch. I sometimes double it for an extra herby boost depending on my mood.
- Cream Cheese Cubes First: Adding cream cheese in cubes and letting them melt slowly prevents gritty textures and keeps the dip silky smooth.
- Stir Midway: Give the dip a good stir after the first hour to blend the flavors well and check that everything’s heating evenly.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping mine with chopped green onions for the color and fresh bite, plus extra blue cheese crumbles because—why not? Cilantro or parsley can add a lovely fresh pop too if you want to brighten things up visually and flavor-wise.
Side Dishes
For dipping, I’m all about a mix of sturdy chips, crunchy pretzels, and fresh veggies like celery sticks, carrot batons, and sliced bell peppers. Sometimes I bring crostini for a bit of fancy crunch, and it never disappoints.
Creative Ways to Present
For special celebrations, I’ve served this Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe in an edible bread bowl—it’s such a crowd-pleaser and doubles as an extra snack. You could also portion it out into mini crockpots or ramekins to keep things personal and fun at a party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers go straight into an airtight container and into the fridge. I usually store mine for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen after a bit of resting, but make sure to reheat thoroughly before serving.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this dip successfully by putting it into freezer-safe containers. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat gently. Sometimes extra stirring helps bring back that creamy texture.
Reheating
I prefer reheating in the microwave in 1-minute bursts with stirring in between to avoid scorching. Alternately, you can warm it in a low oven or a slow cooker warm setting. Adding a splash of cream or milk while reheating helps revive the gooey texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! I love using Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce for a classic medium heat, but you can dial it back by reducing the amount or mixing it with a little sour cream or cream cheese. For extra heat, adding more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne works wonders.
Rotisserie chicken is my go-to for its convenience and tenderness, but shredded cooked chicken breast or thigh meat works great, too. Just make sure your chicken is fully cooked and shredded into bite-size pieces before adding it to the crockpot.
Yes! You can assemble the dip ahead of time, cover it, and refrigerate overnight. On game day, just warm it slowly in your crockpot or oven until hot and bubbly. Leftovers reheat well with minimal loss of flavor or texture.
I like pairing it with sturdy dippers like tortilla chips, pretzels, toasted baguette slices, and crunchy veggies such as celery and bell pepper strips. The crisp textures contrast perfectly with the creamy, spicy dip.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s the ultimate hassle-free crowd-pleaser that never lets me down. I genuinely hope you enjoy making it (and eating it!) as much as I do—it’s like a warm, comforting party in a bowl. So go ahead, fire up your crockpot and get ready to wow your friends and family with this wildly delicious dip.
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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 perfect crowd-pleaser made in a crockpot. Packed with shredded chicken, tangy hot sauce, cheeses, and ranch seasoning, it’s ideal for parties and game day snacks.
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
- Crumbled blue cheese
- Cilantro or parsley
- Chips, crackers, crostini, pretzels, veggies, etc.
Instructions
- Prep Crockpot: Spray the crockpot insert with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Combine Ingredients: In the crockpot, whisk together the Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce, sour cream, ranch dressing seasoning, and all the spices (chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt). Then stir in the shredded chicken, blue cheese crumbles, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and ⅓ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese until well combined.
- Add Cream Cheese: Microwave the cubed cream cheese on a plate for 25 seconds to soften it slightly, then distribute the cubes evenly over the chicken mixture in the crockpot. Do not stir in yet.
- Cook the Stir: Cover and cook on low for 1 hour. Afterward, stir everything together to start combining the melted cream cheese into the mixture.
- Cook Until Melted: Depending on your crockpot’s size and age, continue to cook on low for an additional 1 to 1½ hours, stirring occasionally, until all the cheeses are melted and the dip is heated through completely.
- Top with Cheeses: Evenly sprinkle the remaining ⅓ cup cheddar and ⅓ cup mozzarella cheeses on top of the dip. Cover and cook on low for another 20 minutes, or until the cheese topping has melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Keep the crockpot on low or warm to serve. Garnish with chopped green onions and additional blue cheese crumbles if desired. Serve the dip warm with chips, crackers, crostini, pretzels, or fresh veggies like carrots, celery sticks, and bell peppers.
Notes
- Use a rotisserie chicken for easy preparation and great flavor.
- Adjust the level of spiciness by choosing mild or extra hot buffalo sauce according to your preference.
- If you don’t have a crockpot, you can prepare this in a slow cooker or bake in an oven-safe dish covered with foil at 350°F for about 1 hour, stirring halfway through.
- For a thicker dip, reduce the sour cream slightly or add more shredded cheese.
- Serve with a variety of dippers like pita chips, sliced baguette, or raw vegetables for a colorful spread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/16 of recipe
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
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