By Becky Hardin
Updated Feb 28, 2025
Buffalo Chicken Dip is one of my game day and party favorites! I still remember the first time I had it when my friend Kathryn made it for a football game. I was absolutely hooked. It’s made with shredded chicken, cream cheese, ranch, more cheese, and red hot sauce (yes, just 5 ingredients). This easy oven baked buffalo chicken dip recipe is so simple and insanely delicious. I must say, it’s the best game day dip and it always is gobbled up!
5-Star Review
“Whenever I make your AMAZING buffalo chicken dip, everyone ALWAYS wants the recipe! I’ll make a casserole dish of it for my lunch and use celery sticks instead of chips to keep it Keto for me. I usually take a cup, in a small glass Pyrex bowel, and warm it up.” – Mary
This creamy, cheesy dip tastes just like the best buffalo chicken wings . Before I started this site, my friend Kathryn made it for a party and taught me how to make it. We still joke that this recipe is what got me hooked on cooking. Sometimes, I’ll make my crockpot buffalo chicken dip for larger parties or potlucks, but this dip is always a hit. With just a few ingredients and a couple of quick steps, you’ll have an easy party dip that is sure to be the hit at any get-together.
Notes from the Test Kitchen
I really like to use shredded rotisserie chicken in this recipe. I’ve seen lots of recipes use canned chunk chicken, shredded, and I don’t recommend it the same way. The higher quality ingredients, the better flavor. It will do in a pinch, but if you have time, don’t take the short cut.
Easy Buffalo Dip Variations
If you’re looking to change up this buffalo ranch chicken dip, here are a few fun and simple changes we have made over the years:
- Leave out the chicken to make a meatless, vegetarian-friendly dip. This also makes a great veggie dip when made without meat!
- Replace the chicken with ground beef or chorizo–just make sure it’s fully cooked before adding it in.
- Mix in blue cheese and celery bits to add some crunch, texture, and an extra burst of flavor.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 16 ounces cream cheese room temperature (2 bricks)
- ▢ 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
- ▢ 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- ▢ 1 cup light ranch dressing
- ▢ 12 ounces Franks RedHot Buffalo Sauce or original (1 bottle)
Video
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients, mixing thoroughly. 16 ounces cream cheese, 4 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese, 1 cup light ranch dressing, 12 ounces Franks RedHot Buffalo Sauce
- Pour mixture into a nonstick or sprayed baking dish.
- Bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes, or until fully heated through.
Becky’s Tips
- Use a rotisserie chicken to make things super simple and easy.
- You can use regular cheddar instead of a Mexican blend cheese.
- I recommend grating your own cheese for the best results. Pre-shredded cheese has added starch that will change the texture of this dip.
- Use a good quality cream cheese for best results (cheaper brands can be too runny).
- I used a light ranch dressing, but you can use regular if you don’t have light. You could also substitute blue cheese dressing.
- Don’t substitute the ranch dressing for dry ranch seasoning–it just won’t have the same results.
- You could leave out the chicken and make a buffalo dip for vegetarians if you like. Still cheesy, spicy, and delicious!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Dip Step by Step
Combine the Ingredients: Combine 16 ounces (2 bricks) of cream cheese, 4 cups of shredded cooked chicken, 1 cup of shredded Mexican blend cheese, 1 cup of light ranch dressing, and 12 ounces (1 bottle) Franks RedHot Buffalo Sauce.
Bake the Dip: Pour mixture into a nonstick or sprayed baking dish. Bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes or until fully heated through.
Serving Suggestions
Chips are always the perfect thing to serve with dips, and this baked buffalo chicken dip is no exception. I like serving this with plenty of tortilla chips , ideally, something that won’t break and crumble when you go in for a heavy dip.
For some freshness, I also like to serve this dip alongside some sliced veggies such as carrot sticks, celery, or bell peppers. The celery sticks are perfect for this, to go with that buffalo wing flavor.
If making a wide array of appetizers for game day, some others we always turn to are our baked chicken wings , ham and cheese pinwheels , white queso , and chicken tacos .
How to Make Ahead
Since this buffalo chicken dip only requires mixing and heating, you don’t need to do much prep to make it ahead of time. However, you can combine ingredients in a baking dish, cover and keep it in the fridge, then bake just before serving. Add 5-10 minutes to baking time if heating straight from the fridge.
If you are cooking your own chicken, I recommend doing that ahead of time as well. I also love to buy a cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and shred at home. Super easy and saves a ton of time.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover buffalo dip in an airtight container, or cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap/aluminum foil. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can be eaten cold or reheated.
You can eat leftovers cold, straight from the fridge, or reheat. To reheat, place the dip in the oven at 350°F until fully heated through.
More dip recipes to try
Mexican Street Corn Dip
Velveeta Queso Recipe (Rotel Dip)
White Queso Recipe
Crockpot Spinach Dip
Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese room temperature (2 bricks)
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1 cup light ranch dressing
- 12 ounces Franks RedHot Buffalo Sauce or original (1 bottle)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients, mixing thoroughly. 16 ounces cream cheese, 4 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese, 1 cup light ranch dressing, 12 ounces Franks RedHot Buffalo Sauce
- Pour mixture into a nonstick or sprayed baking dish.
- Bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes, or until fully heated through.
Video
Notes
- Use a rotisserie chicken to make things super simple and easy.
- You can use regular cheddar instead of a Mexican blend cheese.
- I recommend grating your own cheese for the best results. Pre-shredded cheese has added starch that will change the texture of this dip.
- Use a good quality cream cheese for best results (cheaper brands can be too runny).
- I used a light ranch dressing, but you can use regular if you don’t have light. You could also substitute blue cheese dressing.
- Don’t substitute the ranch dressing for dry ranch seasoning–it just won’t have the same results.
- You could leave out the chicken and make a buffalo dip for vegetarians if you like. Still cheesy, spicy, and delicious!
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
