There’s something truly irresistible about a warm, cheesy dip that’s bursting with flavor—and this Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe nails it every single time. It’s creamy, spicy, and absolutely perfect for sharing with friends during game day or a casual get-together.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
From the moment I first tried this Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe, I knew it was a keeper. What really sets it apart is how effortlessly the slow cooker melds all those bold flavors into this rich, dreamy dip without needing much babysitting.
- Hands-off cooking: Once you toss the ingredients in the crockpot, you’re basically set—perfect for busy days or entertaining without stress.
- Perfect cheesiness: The combo of cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, and blue cheese creates layers of melty, tangy goodness that’s downright addictive.
- Customizable spice level: You control the heat by choosing your favorite hot sauce and adjusting the seasoning blend—making it easy to please any crowd.
- Ideal for gatherings: It’s crowd-pleasing comfort food that’s perfect alongside veggies, chips, or crackers for dipping fun.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe has a job to do, blending spicy, creamy, and savory flavors into one delicious package. Here’s why each one shines:
- Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce: The star of the show here—provides that signature tangy, spicy buffalo flavor that shines through without being overpowering. Make sure it’s the classic wing sauce, not the original mild version, to get the right kick.
- Full fat sour cream: Adds creaminess and a subtle tang that balances the heat perfectly.
- Dry ranch dressing seasoning mix: Brings a herby, savory note that complements both the cheese and the buffalo sauce beautifully.
- Chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt: A little spice and smoky depth enhance the overall savoriness without stealing the spotlight.
- Cooked shredded chicken: Using a rotisserie chicken is my go-to shortcut; it’s juicy and ready to shred, making prep super easy.
- Blue cheese crumbles: For that classic buffalo dip twist, blue cheese adds pungency and richness—don’t worry if you’re not a huge fan, it’s subtle once melted.
- Shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese: Cheddar provides sharpness while mozzarella lends incredible melty stretchiness.
- Full-fat cream cheese: The glue that binds everything, ensuring the dip is luxuriously thick and smooth.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love most about this Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to suit your taste buds. I often adjust the heat level or swap out cheeses depending on what’s in my fridge.
- Variation: For a milder version, I reduce the Frank’s RedHot sauce and add extra shredded mozzarella to keep things creamy but less spicy. It’s a hit with kids and those sensitive to heat.
- Dairy-free option: I’ve experimented using dairy-free cream cheese and vegan cheeses, and while the texture shifts a bit, the flavor’s still packed with that buffalo punch.
- Extra protein boost: Feel free to mix in cooked bacon bits or diced jalapeños if you’re craving an extra layer of texture and flavor.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Crockpot and Mix the Base
Start by spraying your crockpot insert with nonstick cooking spray to make cleanup easier down the line. Next, whisk together the Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings sauce, sour cream, dry ranch seasoning mix, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt right in the crockpot. This combo is your flavor base—getting it evenly mixed at this stage will make sure each bite is bursting with buffalo goodness.
Step 2: Add the Chicken, Cheese, and Blue Cheese
Stir in the shredded chicken, blue cheese crumbles, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, and ⅓ cup of mozzarella cheese—but hold off on fully mixing in the cream cheese for now. The variety of cheeses is what gives this dip its signature character, balancing sharpness, creaminess, and that distinctive blue cheese tang.
Step 3: Distribute the Cream Cheese and Start Cooking
Microwave the cream cheese cubes for about 25 seconds to soften them. Then, evenly distribute those softened pieces over the top of the dip mixture—don’t stir them in yet! Cover and cook on low for an hour. This slow heat melts the cream cheese gently, locking in that velvety texture.
Step 4: Stir and Finish Cooking
After an hour, give everything a good stir to fully combine the softened cream cheese with the rest of the ingredients. If you have a newer or larger crockpot, the dip might be close to done now. If your crockpot runs a little cooler or is smaller, keep cooking on low for another 1 to 1½ hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and promote even melting.
Step 5: Add the Final Cheese Topping
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the top, cover again, and cook on low for another 20 minutes or until the topping is melted and bubbly. At this stage, your kitchen will smell amazing—trust me, that aroma alone is worth the wait!
Step 6: Garnish and Serve Warm
Turn the crockpot to warm if you’re not serving immediately. Just before serving, garnish with chopped green onions and extra blue cheese crumbles if you like a little extra punch. Serve alongside crunchy chips, pretzels, or fresh veggies for dipping and enjoy the crowd-pleasing fun.
Top Tip
Having made this Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make a difference. These tips will help you avoid the common pitfalls and get the creamiest, most flavorful dip every time.
- Use rotisserie chicken: It saves so much time, and the meat stays juicy and tender, which means your dip won’t dry out or get stringy.
- Don’t skip microwaving the cream cheese: Softening it before adding helps it melt evenly instead of clumping, which leads to that smooth, irresistible texture.
- Stir at the 1-hour mark: This is when all the ingredients really start to come together, and it prevents the dip from sticking to the sides or burning.
- Adjust cooking time to your crockpot: Newer models tend to heat more evenly, but if yours is older or on the smaller side, be patient and add that extra cook time for the perfect melt.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of serving this dip topped with finely chopped green onions and some extra blue cheese crumbles for that classic buffalo flair. Sometimes, I throw on a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or parsley for a pop of color and a hint of freshness that cuts through the richness.
Side Dishes
For dipping, I love having a variety on hand—crunchy tortilla chips, buttery crostini, pretzels, and crisp veggies like celery sticks, carrot batons, and colorful bell pepper strips all make excellent partners. It keeps things fun and caters to different tastes and dietary preferences.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I sometimes serve the dip in a hollowed-out sourdough or round bread bowl, which makes it look extra special and keeps it warm longer. Another favorite is serving individual portions in mini ramekins—perfect for smaller gatherings or more formal events where guests appreciate having their own dip cup.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After the party’s over, I transfer any leftovers into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It stays good for about 3 to 4 days, though in my experience it rarely lasts that long!
Freezing
If you want to freeze this dip, I recommend portioning it into smaller containers so it thaws faster and reheats evenly. It holds up well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, I like to warm the dip in a microwave-safe bowl or back in the crockpot on low heat, stirring occasionally to restore that creamy, melty texture. Adding a splash of milk or extra shredded cheese can help refresh it if it’s a bit thick after refrigeration.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can prepare all the ingredients the day before, store them in the crockpot insert covered in the fridge, and then cook the next day. Just add some extra cooking time to make sure everything heats through properly.
If blue cheese isn’t your thing, you can simply leave it out or substitute with extra cheddar or a milder cheese like Monterey Jack. The dip will still be delicious, just with a different flavor profile.
The heat largely depends on the Buffalo sauce you choose. Using Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce gives a classic spicy kick, but you can adjust the quantity or swap for a milder or hotter sauce depending on your preference.
Yes! Just cook and shred chicken breasts or thighs before adding them to the crockpot. Rotisserie chicken is a time-saver, but fresh cooked chicken works just as well.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe is one of those reliably delicious go-tos that I turn to when I want something impressive but easy. The beauty is in its simplicity and the way the slow cooker works its magic, turning simple ingredients into something truly crave-worthy. The next time you have friends over or just want a cozy night in, give this dip a try—I promise it’ll quickly become one of your favorites, too.
Print
Buffalo Chicken Dip Crockpot Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Dip is a creamy, spicy, and cheesy dip made in a crockpot, perfect for game days and parties. It features shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch seasoning, and a blend of cheeses, all slow-cooked to melty perfection and served with chips or veggies.
Ingredients
Main Dip Ingredients
- 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 (4 packed cups) cooked and shredded chicken (about 1 large rotisserie)
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
- 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
For Serving
- Green onions
- Crumbled blue cheese
- Cilantro or parsley
- Chips, crackers, crostini, pretzels, veggies, etc.
Instructions
- Prep Crockpot: Spray the crockpot insert with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Combine: In the crockpot, whisk together the buffalo sauce, sour cream, dry 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 it slightly. Evenly distribute the cream cheese cubes over the top of the chicken mixture, but do not stir them in.
- Cook the Stir: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 1 hour. Then, remove the lid and stir the mixture thoroughly to blend in the softened cream cheese.
- Cook Until Melted: Continue cooking on low heat for an additional 1 to 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally. This ensures all the cheeses fully melt and the dip is heated through. Newer or larger crockpots may require less time; older or smaller models may need the full duration.
- Top with Cheeses: Sprinkle the remaining ⅓ cup of cheddar cheese and ⅓ cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the dip. Cover and cook on low heat for another 20 minutes or until the cheese has melted on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Turn the crockpot heat to low or keep it on the warm setting during serving. Garnish the dip with chopped green onions and extra blue cheese crumbles if desired. Serve hot with chips, crackers, crostini, pretzels, or a variety of fresh vegetables such as carrots, celery sticks, and bell peppers.
Notes
- Use full-fat dairy products for a richer and creamier dip.
- Microwaving the cream cheese softens it for easier melting into the dip.
- For a spicier dip, add extra buffalo sauce or cayenne pepper.
- This dip can also be made in a slow cooker on low for about 3 hours if time allows.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the microwave or crockpot.
- To make it gluten-free, serve with gluten-free chips or vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Leave a Reply