Nothing beats the cozy, rich goodness of a warm dip spread out at a party, and this Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip in Crockpot Recipe truly delivers. It’s a crowd-pleaser that combines spicy, tangy buffalo sauce with melty cheeses in the easiest, slow-cooker method you’ll love.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip in Crockpot Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip in Crockpot Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip in Crockpot Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I absolutely adore this dipping recipe because it’s fuss-free but packs layers of flavor that keep everyone coming back for more. Having this Crockpot version means no hovering over the stove — just set it and forget it until party time.
- Hands-off Cooking: You literally toss everything in the crockpot and let it do the work while you focus on other party prep.
- Bold, Layered Flavors: The blend of Frank’s Buffalo Wings Sauce, ranch seasoning, smoked paprika, and blue cheese creates a perfect kick with creamy balance.
- Perfectly Gooey Texture: Using cream cheese and multiple melty cheeses means every bite is irresistibly luscious without being runny.
- Versatile Serving: Whether you’re pairing it with chips, veggies, or crostini, it’s hearty and satisfying for any crowd size.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient here plays a clear role in building that creamy, spicy, tangy dip we all crave. Before you shop, grab good-quality shredded chicken — rotisserie works wonders — and Frank’s Buffalo Wings Sauce for that authentic wing flavor (avoid the milder original).
- Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce: This is the bold, spicy backbone of the dip—don’t substitute with milder versions if you want that classic buffalo kick.
- Full-fat sour cream: Adds tang and creaminess, balancing the heat with a cooling touch.
- Dry ranch dressing seasoning mix: Brings in herbs and a bit of savory depth that perfectly complements the buffalo sauce.
- Spices (chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic & onion powder, salt): Layer in warmth and smokiness, rounding out the flavor profile.
- Cooked and shredded chicken: I always use rotisserie chicken for juicy flavor and effortless shredding.
- Blue cheese crumbles: Gives tangy boldness and a complex sharpness that balances the buffalo spice superbly.
- Shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses: Both melt beautifully—cheddar adds sharpness, mozzarella adds that stretchy melt.
- Cream cheese: This is your secret weapon for creamy, thick texture that binds everything together.
- Green onions, cilantro or parsley (for garnish): Fresh herbs brighten up and add a pop of color that makes the dip even more inviting.
- Chips, crackers, crostini, pretzels, veggies: Your vehicle to scoop up every bite—choose your favorites here.
Make It Your Way
I love to switch up the cheese combinations or add a little extra heat depending on the crowd. This dip is totally forgiving—so feel free to tweak to your taste or dietary needs.
- Variation: When I want it extra creamy, I toss in a splash of heavy cream toward the end. It lightens the texture while keeping richness.
- Dairy-Free Option: Swap cream cheese and sour cream for vegan versions and pick a dairy-free blue cheese or omit it entirely—still delicious!
- Spicier Kick: Add diced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce if you like it blazing hot.
- Make it Chunkier: For a meatier texture, stir in chopped cooked bacon or additional shredded chicken.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip in Crockpot Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Combine the Base
Start by spraying your crockpot insert with a little nonstick spray—this helps with cleanup later, trust me! Then whisk together the Frank’s Buffalo sauce, sour cream, ranch seasoning, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt right in the crockpot. This way, all the flavors get to mingle early on.
Step 2: Add Chicken and Cheeses
Next, fold in your shredded chicken, blue cheese crumbles, 1 cup cheddar, and ⅓ cup mozzarella. This combo builds a rich, flavorful layer. Then microwave the cubed cream cheese for about 25 seconds on a plate just to soften it enough to spread it over the chicken mixture without stirring yet.
Step 3: Slow Cook and Stir
Cover the crockpot and cook on low for about an hour. When time’s up, stir everything together to help the cheeses start melting and combine fully. Depending on your crockpot (especially if it’s an older or smaller model), you might need to cook an additional 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye out for a hot, bubbly center and fully melted cheeses.
Step 4: Top with Remaining Cheese and Final Melt
Once your dip is hot and melted, sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella evenly on top. Cover again and cook on low for another 20 minutes until those cheeses melt beautifully, forming a luscious top layer.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve Warm
Turn the heat down to low or keep warm while serving. I always finish with a sprinkle of green onions and extra blue cheese crumbles for color and punch. Set your chips, crostini, or veggies alongside and get ready for compliments.
Top Tip
From my experience making this Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip in Crockpot Recipe many times, a few small tweaks can make a huge difference. Getting the temperature right and stirring halfway through ensures your cheeses melt evenly without separating.
- Gentle Softening: Don’t skip microwaving cream cheese briefly—it helps it melt into the dip more smoothly rather than clumping.
- Mid-Cook Stir: Stir once after the first hour to combine layers and check texture, which helps the final blend be perfectly cheesy and smooth.
- Choose Your Crockpot Wisely: Larger crockpots cook faster; with smaller ones, expect longer cook times but the reward of thick creaminess is worth it.
- Don’t Overcook: Overcooking can break the dip and make it oily—stop cooking when cheeses look set but still gooey.
How to Serve Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip in Crockpot Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top my dip with finely sliced green onions and a sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese—it adds freshness and a tangy punch that keeps every bite exciting and bright. Sometimes, a little chopped cilantro or parsley adds a pop of color and herbaceous flavor that balances the heat.
Side Dishes
Alongside this dip, my go-to sides are crispy tortilla chips for crunch, sliced celery and carrots to cool the heat, and crunchy pretzels for something a little different. Crostini also works beautifully if you want a more elegant appetizer feel.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, I like to serve the dip in a hollowed-out bread bowl—it’s festive and cuts down on dishes! Another time, I layered the dip in individual mini ramekins topped with fresh herbs for a “buffalo dip bar” setup that let guests customize toppings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I store leftover dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It thickens when chilled, so stirring in a splash of milk or cream before reheating helps bring back that melty smoothness.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this dip successfully—just portion it into freezer-safe containers. It keeps well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer warming on low in a small saucepan or slow cooker so it stays creamy and doesn’t separate. A few stirs along the way bring it back to that perfect dip consistency without drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Homemade buffalo sauce works perfectly—just make sure it’s spicy enough to match the flavor intensity Frank’s brings, or adjust to taste.
Using a fork, or pulling apart cooked rotisserie chicken by hand, works best for shredding. It’s quicker and retains moisture better than chopping.
Yes! You can prepare the dip mixture the night before, store it in the refrigerator, then transfer to the crockpot and cook on party day for the best fresh flavor and texture.
Classic options like tortilla chips and celery sticks are always winners. You can also try soft pretzels, toasted baguette slices, or colorful veggie sticks for variety and texture.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip in Crockpot Recipe has become a staple for all my gatherings because it’s just so easy and reliably delicious. I honestly look forward to making it as much as my friends do to eating it! I hope you enjoy it just as much as I do—give it a try and watch it disappear.
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Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip in Crockpot Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 14 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful appetizer perfect for game day or parties. Made with shredded chicken, Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce, ranch seasoning, blue cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese, it’s slow-cooked to melty perfection and served hot with chips, crackers, or veggies.
Ingredients
Dip Base
- 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 (about 4 packed cups) cooked and shredded chicken (about 1 large rotisserie chicken)
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
Cheeses
- 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
Garnishes and Serving
- Green onions
- Crumbled blue cheese
- Cilantro or parsley
- Chips, crackers, crostini, pretzels, or assorted vegetables (carrots, celery sticks, bell peppers, etc.)
Instructions
- Prep Crockpot: Spray the crockpot insert with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In the crockpot, whisk together the Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce, sour cream, ranch seasoning, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. 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, then evenly distribute the cream cheese pieces over the chicken mixture in the crockpot without stirring it in.
- Cook the Dip: Cover and cook on low for 1 hour, then stir everything together thoroughly to blend the cream cheese into the mixture.
- Continue Cooking: Cook on low for an additional 1 to 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally, until the cheeses are fully melted and the dip is hot throughout. Timing depends on crockpot size and age.
- Top with Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ⅓ cup cheddar and ⅓ cup mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top of the dip. Cover and cook on low for 20 more minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Lower heat to warm to keep the dip hot while serving. Garnish with chopped green onions and additional crumbled blue cheese if desired. Serve immediately with chips, crackers, crostini, pretzels, or fresh vegetables like carrots, celery sticks, and bell peppers.
Notes
- This recipe uses Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce (NOT the original/traditional version) for authentic wing flavor.
- Microwaving the cream cheese before adding helps it melt smoothly into the dip.
- Use a newer, larger crockpot if possible to reduce cooking time and ensure even melting.
- You can customize garnishes with cilantro or parsley along with green onions and extra blue cheese.
- Serve with a variety of dippers like chips, pretzels, crackers, or fresh vegetables to please all guests.
- Stir the dip occasionally during cooking for even heating and melted cheese consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/14 of batch
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
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