Ultimate Creamy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Appetizer
Get ready to elevate your appetizer game with the Ultimate Creamy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Appetizer! This crowd-pleaser combines the bold flavors of spicy buffalo sauce, tender shredded chicken, and rich cream cheese, all topped with melted cheddar for an irresistible dip. Whether you’re hosting a game day party or just looking for a quick and delicious snack, this buffalo chicken dip is sure to be a hit. One bite of this creamy, tangy goodness, and you’ll understand why it’s a go-to favorite for any occasion.
WHY THIS ZESTY BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP RECIPE WILL BE A GAME-DAY FAVORITE?
- Packed with Flavor: The mix of spicy buffalo sauce and creamy ranch creates a flavor explosion that everyone will love.
- Perfect for Sharing: It’s easy to make in large batches, so it’s great for feeding a crowd at game day parties.
- Simple to Prepare: With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, you can have this delicious dip ready in no time.
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:
- 3 lbs. Chicken Breasts (poached and shredded): Tender and juicy chicken breasts, poached to perfection, then shredded for easy mixing with the creamy buffalo ranch sauce.
- 8 Ounces Cream Cheese (cubed): Soft and rich cream cheese that melts into the sauce, adding a creamy texture and balancing the spicy flavors.
- 1 Cup Ranch Dressing: A tangy and herby dressing that blends perfectly with the hot sauce to create the signature buffalo ranch flavor.
- 1 Cup Hot Sauce: Bold and spicy hot sauce, bringing the classic buffalo flavor that gives this dip its kick.
- 1 Tsp Black Ground Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle heat and enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
- 1 Tsp Garlic Powder: Adds a deep, savory garlic flavor to the sauce, complementing the other spices and ingredients.
- 1½ Cups Mozzarella Cheese (divided) (shredded): Creamy and stretchy mozzarella cheese, used both in the sauce and as a topping to make the dip extra cheesy.
- 1½ Cups Cheddar Cheese (divided) (shredded): Sharp and tangy cheddar cheese, adding richness and a robust flavor to the dip, both mixed in and sprinkled on top.
- ½ Cup Green Onion (garnish) (chopped): Fresh and vibrant green onions, chopped finely and sprinkled on top for a burst of color and a slight oniony bite.
HOW TO PREPARE BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP?
Time needed: 40 minutes
- Poach the Chicken:
Bring a stock pot of water to a boil and place 3 lbs. of chicken breasts into the pot. Bring the water back to a gentle boil. Turn off the heat, cover, and let the chicken breast poach for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. - Shred the Chicken:
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool slightly. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
- Make the Buffalo Ranch Cheese Sauce:
In a large saucepan over medium heat, add 8 ounces of cubed cream cheese. Stir occasionally until the cream cheese is melted and smooth. Pour in 1 cup of ranch dressing and 1 cup of hot sauce. Stir well to combine, creating a creamy and tangy sauce. Add 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to the sauce. Stir to incorporate the seasonings. - Add the Shredded Cheese and Chicken:
Gradually add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce, stirring constantly until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the shredded chicken to the buffalo ranch cheese sauce. Stir well to ensure the chicken is fully coated with the sauce. - Prepare the Baking Dish:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an oval baking dish with cooking spray. Pour the chicken and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly. - Add Remaining Cheese:
Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella cheese and ½ cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the dip. - Bake the Dip:
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown. - Garnish and Serve:
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with ½ cup of chopped green onions for a fresh burst of flavor. Serve warm with your favorite tortilla chips, pita chips, veggies, or fresh bread.
Enjoy your Ultimate Creamy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Appetizer!
FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken as a convenient alternative. Just keep in mind most rotisserie chickens are salty and pre-seasoned and this buffalo sauce recipe is more than salty enough. So there is no need for added salt in this recipe.
To make the dip less spicy, reduce the amount of hot sauce or choose a milder brand. For more heat, add extra hot sauce or mix in some crushed red pepper flakes.
Absolutely! You can prepare the dip in advance, store it in the fridge, and when ready to eat pop it in the oven and bake until warm and bubbly and the cheese has melted.
Yes, you can make the dip in a slow cooker. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally until the dip is hot and bubbly.
While the dip is traditionally served warm, it can also be served cold if you prefer. Just know that the texture and flavors will be different.
BUFFALO RANCH CHICHEN APPETIZER RECIPE ADD-INS AND VARIATIONS:
- Rotisserie Chicken: Use rotisserie chicken instead of poached chicken breasts for a quicker preparation. Just shred the cooked chicken and mix it into the dip.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles: Substitute half of the mozzarella or cheddar cheese with blue cheese crumbles for a stronger, tangier flavor.
- Greek Yogurt: Replace ranch dressing with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier dip that’s higher in protein.
- Mild Hot Sauce: If you prefer less heat, use a milder hot sauce or reduce the amount of hot sauce used in the recipe.
- Creamy Ranch Dip Mix: Swap out ranch dressing for a packet of dry ranch dip mix combined with sour cream for a thicker, more concentrated flavor.
- Vegan Option: For a dairy-free or vegan version, use vegan cream cheese, dairy-free ranch dressing, plant-based cheese, and a chicken substitute like tofu.
WHAT IS COMMONLY SERVED TO COMPLIMENT CHEESY BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP?
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip is great with lots of different dippers and sides. You can use crispy tortilla chips for a crunchy bite or soft bread slices and pita chips for something a bit more filling. Fresh veggie sticks like celery, carrots, and bell peppers add a nice crunch and balance out the rich dip. Crackers or crostini are also perfect for scooping up the cheesy dip. These options all go well with the dip and make for a tasty and fun snack spread.
HOW DO YOU STORE AND REHEAT LEFTOVER Zesty Ranch Buffalo Chicken Dip?
To store leftover Buffalo Ranch Chicken Dip, put it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, use the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring each time until it’s hot. If you prefer the oven, heat it at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes. If the dip looks dry, mix in a little milk or ranch dressing to make it creamy again.
CAN LEFTOVERS BE FROZEN FOR LATER CONSUMPTION?
Yes, you can freeze leftover Buffalo Ranch Chicken Dip. Just put it in an airtight container or freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then reheat it in the microwave or oven. You might need to add a little milk or ranch dressing to get the creamy texture back.
LOOKING FOR MORE APPETIZER RECIPES? TRY THESE!
Easy Spinach Artichoke Pinwheel Pastry Rolls: Imagine flaky, golden puff pastry wrapped around a creamy spinach and artichoke filling.
Quick Oven-Baked Buffalo Chicken Tenders: 30-Minute Meal: Whether you’re gearing up for game day, need a speedy weeknight dinner. Indulge in a classic flavor combo without the guilt, these tenders have got you covered.
Hot Applebee’s Spinach Artichoke Dip: Copycat Recipe: The marriage of tender spinach leaves and tangy artichoke hearts. With a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese blankets the dip with its signature savory notes.
Ultimate Creamy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Appetizer
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. Chicken Breasts (poached and shredded)
Buffalo Ranch Cheese Sauce:
- 8 Ounces Cream Cheese (cubed)
- 1 Cup Ranch Dressing
- 1 Cup Hot Sauce
- 1 Tsp Black Ground Pepper
- 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1½ Cups Mozzarella Cheese (divided) (shredded)
- 1½ Cups Cheddar Cheese (divided)(shredded)
Garnish:
- ½ Cup Green Onion (garnish)(chopped)
Instructions
- Poach the Chicken: Bring a stock pot of water to a boil and place 3 lbs. of chicken breasts into the pot. Bring the water back to a gentle boil. Turn off the heat cover and let the chicken breast poach for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool slightly. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
- Make the Buffalo Ranch Cheese Sauce: Melt the Cream Cheese: In a large saucepan over medium heat, add 8 ounces of cubed cream cheese. Stir occasionally until the cream cheese is melted and smooth. Pour in 1 cup of ranch dressing and 1 cup of hot sauce. Stir well to combine, creating a creamy and tangy sauce. Add 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to the sauce. Stir to incorporate the seasonings. Gradually add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce, stirring constantly until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine the Chicken and Sauce: Add the shredded chicken to the buffalo ranch cheese sauce. Stir well to ensure the chicken is fully coated with the sauce.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an oval baking dish with cooking spray. Pour the chicken and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella cheese and ½ cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the dip.
- Bake the Dip: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with ½ cup of chopped green onions for a fresh burst of flavor. Serve warm with your favorite tortilla chips, pita chips, veggies, or fresh bread.
- Enjoy your Ultimate Creamy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Appetizer!