This Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip is your MVP for any gathering, whether it’s game day, a cozy movie night, or a party where only the boldest, cheesiest flavors will do. Every scoop delivers a creamy, spicy, perfectly tangy mouthful that keeps guests circling back for “just one more bite.”
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Entertaining: The Crock Pot does all the work—just dump, stir, and let the savory, spicy magic happen.
- Bold, Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: A perfect trio of creamy cheese, tangy ranch, and zesty Buffalo sauce delivers irresistible flavor in every scoop.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Scoop it up with chips, veggies, or even spread it on slider buns—this dip adapts beautifully to your mood and menu.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Enjoy stress-free hosting by prepping the ingredients in advance for easy, last-minute cooking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip is how just a handful of simple ingredients combine to deliver such bold, crave-worthy flavor. Each component plays a crucial role—so let’s talk about what you’ll need, and why these ingredients make this dip a knockout!
- Canned Chunk Chicken Breast (12.5 oz): Using chunk chicken keeps prep extra speedy, and it breaks up beautifully into juicy bites throughout the dip.
- Cream Cheese (8 oz, softened): This delivers the dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth creaminess that makes the dip rich and irresistible.
- Finely Shredded Colby Jack Cheese (4 oz): Colby Jack brings both gooey melt and a touch of mellow sharpness, rounding out the boldness of the sauce.
- Buffalo Wing Sauce (1/2 cup or more): Opt for Sweet Baby Ray’s or Frank’s—these add that classic, tangy heat you’re after, and you can adjust for your spice comfort zone.
- Ranch Dressing (1/2 cup): The secret weapon for balance—the cool, herby creaminess ties it all together and keeps the heat from overpowering.
- Dippers (Tortilla chips, carrots, celery): These crunchy, refreshing sides are the perfect partners for scooping up all that savory goodness.
Variations
One of the best things about Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip is how easy it is to make it your own! Whether you’re working around allergies, dialing up the spice, or just feeling creative, here are a few ways to riff on the classic and keep everyone smiling.
- Blue Cheese Boost: Swap out ranch for blue cheese dressing or add crumbled blue cheese for a tangy, signature Buffalo vibe.
- Rotisserie Chicken Swap: Use shredded rotisserie chicken for extra-rich flavor and an ultra-savory, hearty texture.
- Extra Heat: Add a dash of cayenne or extra wing sauce if you love a fiery kick—just don’t forget the cooling veggies on the side!
- Lighter Take: Use light cream cheese and a Greek yogurt-based ranch to trim calories without losing out on creamy richness.
- Dairy-Free: Try dairy-free cream cheese and shredded cheese alternatives—Buffalo flavor still shines through!
How to Make Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Step 1: Add Everything to the Crock Pot
Start by draining the canned chicken breast well, then add it to your 3-quart or 6-quart crock pot. Add softened cream cheese, shredded Colby Jack, wing sauce, and ranch dressing right on top. Give everything a gentle stir to combine—don’t worry if it’s not perfectly mixed just yet. The magic happens as it heats!
Step 2: Cook Low and Slow
Set your crock pot to LOW and let the dip warm, about 1½ to 2 hours. Stir once or twice along the way to help the cheese melt evenly and keep those flavors blending. If you’re using a larger 6-quart crock, it may be ready a bit faster—so keep an eye out for that bubbly, creamy perfection.
Step 3: Stir and Serve
Once everything is hot, melty, and blended, give it a final good stir to make sure every bite is ultra-creamy. Set out some tortilla chips, carrot sticks, or celery, and watch this Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip disappear in record time!
Pro Tips for Making Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Chicken Texture Matters: For the creamiest bite, shred or break up canned chicken with a fork before mixing, or swap in freshly shredded rotisserie chicken for extra juiciness.
- Smooth Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature—this prevents any lumps and delivers that silky, dip-shop texture.
- Customize the Spice: Start with ½ cup wing sauce, then taste before serving—add more for fire or tame it with extra ranch for milder palates.
- Keep it Warm for Serving: If possible, leave your crock pot on WARM during your party so the dip stays gooey and dippable for hours.
How to Serve Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Garnishes
Give your Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip a finishing flourish with a sprinkling of chopped green onions, extra shredded cheese, or even a crumble of blue cheese on top. A drizzle of extra Buffalo sauce adds eye-catching color and lets heat-lovers know there’s spice in store!
Side Dishes
Tortilla chips are always a hit, but crunchy celery and carrot sticks not only cool the spice but add color and freshness to every bite. If you want something hearty, try toasted baguette slices or crispy pita chips alongside your dip.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn this dip into sliders by layering it on small buns with lettuce and pickled onions, or serve individual portions in little mason jars or ramekins for parties. For outdoor gatherings, hollow out a round loaf of bread and serve the dip inside for an edible, show-stopping centerpiece!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have any dip left over, spoon it into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. The flavors meld even more in the fridge, so leftover Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip is often even more delicious the next day!
Freezing
This dip actually freezes better than you might think! Let it cool completely, then store portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best consistency.
Reheating
For best results, reheat gently in your slow cooker on LOW or in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every minute or so until bubbling and smooth again. If it thickens up, a splash of ranch or milk will bring back that scoopable, creamy texture.
FAQs
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Can I use cooked shredded chicken instead of canned chicken?
Absolutely! Rotisserie or any shredded cooked chicken works perfectly in Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip, and many folks love the texture and added savoriness fresh chicken brings. Just make sure it’s finely shredded for the best creamy blend.
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Can I double this recipe for a big crowd?
Definitely. This recipe doubles (or even triples) easily—simply use a larger crock pot and allow a little extra time for the dip to heat through evenly, stirring every so often for the perfect smoothness.
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Is this Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip gluten-free?
It often is, since most main ingredients are gluten-free, but always double-check the labels on hot sauce, ranch, and chicken to be sure. Pair with gluten-free dippers for a celiac-friendly appetizer!
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How far ahead can I prep this dip?
You can assemble all the ingredients right in your crock and refrigerate up to 2 days ahead. When ready to serve, simply set your crock pot to LOW and add an extra 30 minutes to heat through—perfect for make-ahead hosting!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never made Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip before, you’re in for a treat—seriously, it’s a must-try! Whether for a game night or just because, it’s easy, flavorful, and guaranteed to spice up any table. I can’t wait for you to see how quickly it disappears from the bowl. Enjoy every scoop!
Print
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip is a creamy and spicy appetizer perfect for gatherings and game day parties. Made with chunk chicken, cream cheese, Colby Jack cheese, buffalo wing sauce, and ranch dressing, this dip is easy to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 12.5 oz can chunk chicken breast, drained (Swanson brand recommended)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 4 oz finely shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup Buffalo Wing Sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s or Frank’s Wing Sauce recommended)
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- For dipping: tortilla chips, carrots, celery
Instructions
- Add Ingredients: Add chicken, cream cheese, shredded cheese, wing sauce, and ranch dressing to a 3 quart or 6 quart crock pot.
- Combine and Heat: Stir to combine, then heat on LOW until hot, approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Serve: Once hot, serve the dip with tortilla chips, carrots, and celery for dipping.
Notes
Notes:
- Make ahead: Prepare all ingredients in the crock pot up to 2 days in advance. Refrigerate, then cook on low for an additional 30 minutes until heated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
