Introduction
Oh, buffalo chicken dip. Just saying the words brings back memories, doesn’t it? Whether it’s a game day party, a casual get-together with friends, or even just a cozy night in, this dip is always the star of the show. And the best part? This Crock Pot version is ridiculously easy, meaning more time for you to actually enjoy the company (and the deliciousness!). Seriously, you’re going to wonder how you ever lived without this recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Minimal prep work means you can have it ready in no time.
- Easy: Just toss everything in and let the slow cooker do the work!
- Giftable: While it’s best served fresh, you can prep components ahead for a quick assembly.
- Crowd-pleasing: Everyone adores this spicy, cheesy, creamy concoction.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the only “hard” part here, and it’s hardly hard at all! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 rotisserie chicken, meat shredded, bones and skin discarded: This is our secret weapon for a super tender and flavorful chicken base without any extra cooking. Just grab one from the grocery store!
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese: Because what’s a good dip without plenty of melty cheese?
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed: This is what makes our dip wonderfully creamy and rich. Let it sit out for a few minutes to soften, it makes stirring easier.
- 1 cup sour cream: Adds a tangy creaminess that perfectly balances the spice.
- ½ cup buffalo sauce: Use your favorite brand! This is where the classic buffalo flavor comes from.
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning: This little packet packs a punch of herbaceous flavor that complements the buffalo sauce beautifully.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get this party started! It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3… well, 5 actually, but you get the idea. This is truly dump-and-go territory.
- Prep your chicken: First things first, let’s get that rotisserie chicken ready. Just shred the meat right off the bones and toss out the skin and bones. Easy peasy.
- Combine everything in the crock pot: Now, grab your crock pot insert. Add the shredded chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, cubed cream cheese, sour cream, buffalo sauce, and that magical ranch seasoning.
- Stir it all up: Give everything a good stir. You want to make sure all those yummy ingredients are nicely combined. Don’t worry if it looks a little messy at this stage, it all comes together as it cooks.
- Let the magic happen: Pop the lid on your crock pot. Cook on the LOW setting for 2-3 hours, or on HIGH for 1-1.5 hours. I like to give it a stir every so often, just to make sure everything is heating evenly and getting wonderfully melty. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s heated through and starting to bubble around the edges.
- Serve and enjoy! Ladle this glorious dip into a serving bowl and get ready for the compliments.
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is fantastic as is, but if you’re feeling a little adventurous or need to make a swap, here are some ideas:
- Cheese: Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend would also be delicious.
- Cream Cheese: Neufchâtel cheese is a slightly lighter option if you prefer.
- Buffalo Sauce: Feel free to adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to your spice preference. You can also mix in a touch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
- Ranch Seasoning: If you don’t have the packet, you can mix your own with dried dill, parsley, chives, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Additions: For extra texture and flavor, you could stir in some cooked, crumbled bacon, a can of drained diced green chilies, or even some chopped celery for a fresh crunch.
Tips for Success
Even the simplest recipes can have a few tricks up their sleeve. Here’s how to make your buffalo chicken dip absolutely perfect:
- Don’t Overcook: While the crock pot is forgiving, you don’t want to cook it so long that the cheese gets oily. Keep an eye on it, especially on the HIGH setting.
- Softer Cream Cheese: Letting your cream cheese soften at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before you start will make stirring much easier.
- Prep Ahead: You can shred the chicken and measure out your other ingredients (except the sour cream and buffalo sauce, which can be added later if you’re concerned about curdling on super low heat) and store them in the fridge. Then, just dump everything into the crock pot when you’re ready to cook.
- Stirring is Key: Giving the dip a stir every hour or so ensures even heating and a creamy consistency throughout.
How to Store It
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This dip is just as good, if not better, the next day.
- Refrigeration: Let the dip cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: You can reheat it gently on the stovetop over low heat, in the microwave in short bursts, or even pop it back into the crock pot on the WARM setting. You might need to stir in a splash of milk or cream if it seems a little thick.
FAQs
Can I make this dip spicy without using more buffalo sauce?
Absolutely! You can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some finely diced jalapeños to the crock pot for an extra kick of heat.
What should I serve with Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip?
Oh, the possibilities are endless! Tortilla chips, celery sticks, carrot sticks, pita bread, crackers, sliced baguette, and even pretzels are all fantastic dippers.
Can I make this ahead of time and freeze it?
It’s generally not recommended to freeze this dip once it’s cooked, as the dairy and cheese can change texture. However, you can prep all the ingredients (except the sour cream and buffalo sauce) and store them in the crock pot liner in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Is there a lighter version of this dip?
You could try using reduced-fat cream cheese and a Greek yogurt or light sour cream blend, but be aware that the texture and richness might be slightly different.
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Equipment
- Crock Pot
- Serving bowl
- Airtight container For leftovers
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 rotisserie chicken, meat shredded Chicken bones and skin discarded
- 8 ounces Shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces Cream cheese cubed, softened
- 1 cup Sour cream
- 0.5 cup Buffalo sauce use your favorite brand
- 2 tablespoons Ranch seasoning packet
Instructions
- Prep your chicken: Shred the meat off the rotisserie chicken, discarding bones and skin.
- Combine all ingredients in the crock pot insert: shredded chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, cubed cream cheese, sour cream, buffalo sauce, and ranch seasoning.
- Stir everything together until well combined.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours or on HIGH for 1-1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until heated through and bubbling.
- Serve warm and enjoy!