For many, watching the Super Bowl is an excuse to devour this amazing Make Ahead Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip. It tastes like the ever-popular Buffalo Chicken Wings, but without the fuss and mess. This tangy and cheesy dip takes minutes to put together. It can be made ahead of time and heated to bubbly perfection right before big game.
Serve it with celery sticks, Fritos Scoops, Triscuits, etc., for a memorable appetizer that your guests will rave about for months to come!
Why Is It Called Buffalo Chicken?
It may seem odd that an appetizer such as this is called “Buffalo”. After all, there is no buffalo or bison in the dish.
Actually, the name originates from Buffalo, New York.
Presumably, Buffalo Chicken Wings were first served at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo. Theresa, one of the owners of the Anchor Bar spent time in the kitchen experimenting with different ways to serve chicken wings. Ultimately, she created a winner – fried chicken wings smothered in a hot sauce which she made. The hot sauce was a combination of, among other items, melted butter, Frank’s hot sauce and cayenne pepper.
To complete the dish, Theresa served the wings with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
Over time, Buffalo Chicken Wings spread to other parts of the country. Also, the Buffalo concept spread to other dishes like shrimp, pizza and this amazing Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip!
Ingredients for Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip uses only five ingredients:
- Cream Cheese: I like to use Neufchâtel cream cheese which has 1/3 less fat. However, full fat cream cheese can also be used.
- Blue Cheese Dressing: Bottled Blue Cheese Dressing works fine here. If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, however, you can also use Ranch Dressing. You could even use a combination of Blue Cheese Dressing and Ranch Dressing.
- Frank’s Red Hot Wings Sauce: Frank’s is the traditional sauce used to make Buffalo Chicken. However, you could also use Texas Pete’s Hot Sauce.
- Rotisserie Chicken: I like to use rotisserie chicken for this amazing dip. The reason is that the chicken is already cooked and has a yummy flavor. You could, however use two skinless and boneless chicken breasts rather than the rotisserie chicken. If using chicken breasts, boil for 15 minutes, drain and shred with two forks.
- Colby Jack Cheese: My preference is to use Colby Jack Cheese because of its mild taste and melting characteristics. You could also use Cheddar cheese, Mozzarella cheese or Monterey Jack cheese.
Putting the Dip Together
It literally takes five minutes to put this awesome dip together.
I started by beating together the cream cheese, Blue Cheese Dressing and hot sauce. Then, I added the shredded chicken and part of the shredded cheese. I stirred the mixture together until everything was well combined.
Next, I transferred the dip mixture to an 8-inch cast iron pan. You could also use any 8-inch oven-safe dish.
I used a wooden spoon to smooth out the dip mixture in the pan (Photo 1). Finally, I sprinkled the top with the remaining shredded cheese (Photo 2).
Finishing the Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip
I popped the dip into a preheated 350°F oven for about 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, the cheese was melted and the dip was nice and bubbly.
I removed the dip from the oven and let cool for about 15 minutes. Before serving the dip, I sprinkled the top with some minced fresh parsley. I served the dip with celery sticks, Fritos Scoops and Triscuits.
To say that the dip was amazing is an understatement. It was out-of-this world creamy, cheesy good. Yum!
Chula’s Expert Tips
- I used Neufchâtel cream cheese which has 1/3 less fat.
- Rather than Blue Cheese Dressing, feel free to use Ranch Dressing of a combination of the two.
- You can use two skinless and boneless chicken breasts rather than the rotisserie chicken. If using chicken breasts, boil for 15 minutes, drain and shred with two forks.
- You can also use Cheddar cheese, Mozzarella cheese or Monterey Jack cheese.
- I like to use my 8-inch cast iron skillet to heat and serve the dip, but any oven-proof dish will work.
- If made in advance and refrigerated, increase the cooking time by an additional 5 minutes.
- It’s highly unlikely that you will have any leftovers. However, if you do, the dip can be reheated in the microwave the next day. Also, it’s delicious spread on bread and toasted!
Other Delicious Cheesy Dips
If you like cheesy dips, you should definitely check out these other delicious recipes:
- Easy Spicy Sausage Queso Dip: Ready in minutes, and made with real cheese, Easy Spicy Sausage Queso Dip is a real crowd pleaser. It’s amazing with tortilla chips and spread on French bread or crackers.
- Tasty Southern Pimento Cheese: Tasty Southern Pimento Cheese will take you back to your childhood days in the South. It’s about as Southern as things come, and uses only 5 ingredients. Tasty Southern Pimento Cheese takes minutes to make, and is amazingly versatile.
- Bacon Jalapeño Popper Dip: Bacon Jalapeño Popper Dip is the perfect appetizer for any occasion. It’s creamy and cheesy, and full of bacon and jalapeño peppers.
- Spinach Artichoke Bread Ring Dip: Spinach Artichoke Bread Ring Dip is the perfect marriage between soft and fluffy homemade rolls and amazing Spinach Artichoke Dip. And guess what? The food processor does most of the work, starting with the kneading of the bread dough!
- Cheesy Salsa Dip in a Bread Bowl: Cheesy Salsa Dip in a Bread Bowl is an amazing appetizer to serve for any occasion. You can serve it with tortilla chips, fresh veggies, toasted bread cubes, etc. It’s a snap to put together, and can be made ahead of time.
- Fromage Fort: Fromage Fort, meaning “strong cheese” in French, is an easy and delicious cheese spread made with leftover cheeses that are in your refrigerator. It literally takes minutes to put together and produces an awesome appetizer that your guests will rave about.
- White Queso Dip: White Queso Dip is like the queso cheese dip served at your favorite Mexican restaurant, only better. This super simple dip takes only minutes to make and and is amazingly versatile.
If you liked the recipe for Make Ahead Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip, please consider rating it and leaving a comment. I’d love to know how you liked it!
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Make Ahead Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (See Tip 1)
- 3/4 cup Blue Cheese Dressing (See Tip 2)
- 3/4 cup Frank’s Red Hot Wings Sauce
- 3 cups (12-ounces) shredded rotisserie chicken (See Tip 3)
- 1 1/4 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided (See Tip 4)
- Minced fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Beat together cream cheese, Blue Cheese Dressing and Wings Sauce in a large bowl on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add chicken and 3/4 cup of cheese. Stir to combine all ingredients.
- Transfer to 8-inch oven-proof dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. May be prepared in advance to this point. (See Tips 5 and 6)
- Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and dip is bubbly. Remove from oven; cool for 15 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with minced parsley if desired. Serve with celery sticks, Fritos Scoops, Triscuits, etc.
- Yield: 8 servings. (See Tip 7)
Chula's Expert Tips
- I used Neufchâtel cream cheese which has 1/3 less fat.
- Rather than Blue Cheese Dressing, feel free to use Ranch Dressing of a combination of the two.
- You can use two skinless and boneless chicken breasts rather than the rotisserie chicken. If using chicken breasts, boil for 15 minutes, drain and shred with two forks.
- You can also use Cheddar cheese, Mozzarella cheese or Monterey Jack cheese.
- I like to use my 8-inch cast iron skillet to heat and serve the dip, but any oven-proof dish will work.
- If made in advance and refrigerated, increase the cooking time by an additional 5 minutes.
- It’s highly unlikely that you will have any leftovers. However, if you do, the dip can be reheated the next day. Also, it’s delicious spread on bread and toasted!
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