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Easy Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe (Budget-Friendly)

baked buffalo chicken dip - featured image

This creamy, spicy, and ridiculously satisfying dip uses simple, affordable ingredients to create a crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish. It’s perfect for game day, family dinners, or any occasion where you want to turn odds and ends into something special.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • Green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Soften the cream cheese by letting it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or microwaving for 10-15 seconds on low power.
  3. Shred the chicken finely using two forks.
  4. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, buffalo hot sauce, and ranch dressing. Stir until smooth and well combined.
  5. Fold in the shredded chicken and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until evenly coated.
  6. Transfer the mixture to a greased 8×8 inch baking dish and spread into an even layer.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until hot and bubbly and the top is golden brown.
  9. Let the dip rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  10. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired. Serve warm with tortilla chips, celery sticks, or crackers.

Notes

For a spicier dip, add an extra tablespoon of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper. For a milder version, reduce the hot sauce to 1/4 cup and add extra ranch dressing. The dip can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated; add 5 minutes to the bake time. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: buffalo chicken dip, baked dip, game day appetizer, easy dip, budget-friendly, creamy dip