Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 2 large breasts)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce (or your preferred hot sauce)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)
- Tortilla chips, celery sticks, or carrot sticks for serving
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Chicken:
- If you haven’t already, cook and shred the chicken breasts. You can use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to save time.
- Mix the Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, ranch dressing, and hot sauce. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Add the shredded chicken, 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix until everything is evenly incorporated.
- Assemble the Dip:
- Spread the mixture evenly into a 9-inch pie dish or an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Top with Cheese:
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the dip.
- Bake the Dip:
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly, and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.
- Garnish:
- Remove the dip from the oven and let it cool slightly.
- If desired, garnish with sliced green onions for a pop of color and extra flavor.
- Serve:
- Serve the Buffalo chicken dip hot with tortilla chips, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or your favorite dippers.
Tips and Variations:
- Slow Cooker Option:
- To make this dip in a slow cooker, combine all the ingredients as directed and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle the cheese on top during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Blue Cheese Twist:
- For a tangy twist, substitute the ranch dressing with blue cheese dressing or add 1/2 cup of crumbled blue cheese to the mixture.
- Spice Level:
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce to your taste preference. Start with 1/4 cup for a milder dip, and add more if you like it spicier.
- Make-Ahead:
- Prepare the dip up to a day in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the fridge.
Enjoy this creamy, spicy, and utterly delicious Buffalo chicken dip at your next gathering or as a comforting snack anytime!