About once a month we head over to my parent’s house to have lunch with my brother and his family who also live in town. I didn’t grow up around my grandparents or cousins, and I can’t tell you how special it is to see all the kids running around making memories together in their grandparent’s home. It’s priceless, really!
My Mom always cooks a big lunch for us, and usually has a dip or appetizer ready to snack on as we trickle in through the door. I do a little happy dance anytime I see her Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip hot, ready, and waiting to be dug into on the counter. The combination of spicy, saucy, cheesy dip scooped up with a crunchy chip is completely irresistible.
Watch How to Make It!
Imma let you in on the recipe so you can dish it up at your house too. This easy buffalo chicken dip requires just 5 ingredients and all you have to do is toss them into the crock pot and press “on”.
I’m telling you — kids and adults alike DEVOUR this delicious dip — I can’t wait for you to try it!
Buffalo Chicken Dip in the Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip is in the lead for the title of Perfect Hot Dip. You can make it in a small, 3 quart crock pot, or a large, 6 quart crock pot, plus there’s no extra cooking or work required prior to tossing everything into the crock pot because we use canned shredded chicken breast for this recipe. (Don’t knock it until you try it!)
No extra bowl, oven, nor baking dish needed — the slow cooker does the work of heating the ingredients up for us. Easy!
This dip is a must have for game days (easier than buffalo chicken wings!), perfect for taking to an office potluck, and truly serving at every imaginable occasion in between.
As written, this crockpot buffalo chicken dip recipe is about a 5/10 on the heat scale. It’s not too spicy for kids (my oldest plus my niece and nephew — all currently under 13 — inhale it!) so if you want to make it spicier, feel free to add more buffalo sauce, hot sauce, and/or red chili pepper flakes.
Ingredients Needed
Like I said, all you need for this easy hot dip recipe is 5 everyday ingredients.
- Cream cheese. I like to go with 1/3 less fat cream cheese because you can’t tell the difference when making it with full fat cream cheese.
- Shredded cheese. Finely shredded Colby Jack cheese melts perfectly in the crock pot. Sharp shredded cheddar cheese would be great too.
- Buffalo Wing Sauce. Frank’s Buffalo Wing Sauce is my go-to gluten free brand of wing sauce. Feel free to add more for additional heat, or a dash or 27 of Frank’s red hot sauce which is also GF.
- Ranch Dressing. Save the good stuff for your salads — any ol’ ranch will do for this dip. I like Ken’s Ranch Dressing. You can use blue cheese dressing if you prefer that flavor.
- Canned Chicken. Trust. Just trust! It’s going to be ok and in fact it’s going to be more than ok because canned chunk chicken shreds beautifully into this dip creating a craveable, creamy texture. I use Swanson brand.
How to Store Leftovers and Reheat
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, simply scoop the dip into a glass storage container (plastic storage containers might become stained from the wing sauce, just FYI) then reheat scoops of it in a glass dish in the microwave.
I’ve also slow cooked this dip then cooled it completely, and then reheated it in the crock pot a few days later. Meaning, it’s perfectly fine to slow cook ahead of time!
5 Ways to Repurpose Leftovers
Leftover slow cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip is also great for repurposing into other dishes. Here are some ideas:
- Wrap. Scoop onto a wrap then top with shredded carrots, crumbled feta or blue cheese crumbles, and spring mix or arugula. Roll then eat.
- Sandwich. Stuff inside a bun or between two slices of bread to make a grilled cheese sandwich (YUM!)
- Baked potato. Jazz up a baked potato with a scoop of leftover dip plus sliced green onions.
- Nachos. Make nachos with the dip plus an extra sprinkling of shredded cheese (“That’s too much cheese!” — no one ever.) Bake until warm and melty.
- Pasta. Warm then mix with cooked pasta.
How to Make Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Like I said, all you have to do is add the ingredients into your crock pot, stir to combine, then start slow cooking. Be sure your cream cheese is at room temperature to make this process a little easier.
- If you’re using a 3 quart crock pot cook on LOW for 1-1/2 — 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- If you’re using a 6 quart crock pot, cook on LOW for 1 — 1-1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
What Goes Best with Buffalo Chicken Dip
I like to switch my slow cooker heat setting down to warm then the dip will keep just fine on the counter for the afternoon. Here’s what we like to serve it with:
- Tortilla chips
- Frito Scoops
- Mini sweet peppers sliced in half
- Carrot sticks or chips
- Celery sticks
- Simple Mills Almond or Pita Crackers
- Cucumber slices
- Any additional veggies you can think of! Sliced radish would be great.
However you serve and devour it, I hope you love this easy, spicy, cheesy, creamy dip – ENJOY!
More Irresistible Dip Recipes
- Roasted Garlic and Prosciutto Cream Cheese Dip with Hot Honey
- Cranberry Jalapeno Bacon Dip
- Trader Joe’s Everything Bagel Dip
- Pickle Wrap Dip
- Best Fruit Dip EVER
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Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Description
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip is the perfect hot dip recipe for parties and potlucks! Cheesy, spicy, and made with just 5 ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2, 10oz cans chunk chicken breast (I use Swanson brand), drained
- 8oz block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 4oz finely shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup Frank's Wing Sauce (or more for additional spiciness)
- 1/2 cup gluten free ranch dressing
- For dipping: tortilla chips, carrots, celery
Directions
- Add chicken, cream cheese, shredded cheese, wing sauce, and ranch dressing to a 3 quart crock pot, or 6 quart crock pot. Stir to combine then heat on LOW until hot, 1-1/2 — 2 hours, stirring a couple of times. If you use a 6 quart crock pot, the dip will be hot in about 1-1/2 hours. Serve with dippers.
- Make ahead:Â Add all the ingredients into the crock of your slow cooker then refrigerate up to 2 days ahead of time. Place on the crock pot base then cook on low for an additional 30 minutes, or until heated through.
- Leave a comment and star rating if you loved the recipe!
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Video
Photos by Ashley McLaughlin
Dianna Curtis 01.01.2024
Orig recipe I had from Frank’s called for blue cheese dressing and crumbles. I have a kid allergic so I was glad yours called for Ranch. Used Buffalo sauce, dbled and used extra sharp Ched Chs, and added some dried minced onion and garlic powder. Yum, yum, yummy. Next time only change I might make is to increase ranch to 3/4 cup to make it just a little creamier. Hope everyone has a joyous New Year 😊
DC again 01.01.2024
Oops, I also boiled 20oz of chicken breasts in broth till they fell apart in place of the canned stuff since I just bought some from the butcher 😉
Kristin 01.02.2024
I’m so glad you loved this recipe, Dianne! Thank you so much for your feedback, and recipe rating!
Luisa 12.31.2023
Thank you SO much for sharing this recipe. I made it for Christmas as appetizer for the whole family, I doubled the recipe. They absolutely loved it. And I’m not a good cook! Thank you :)
Kristin 01.02.2024
Fantastic!! (And I bet you need to give yourself more credit!!) Thanks so much for your feedback, Luisa!
Noah 12.30.2023
How much hot sauce, ranch and cheese do you add?
Kristin 12.31.2023
Hey Noah! All ingredient measurements are in the recipe card.
Antonio 12.27.2023
You ever use a store bought rotisserie chicken? Definitely a try if haven’t.
Kristin 12.27.2023
I personally have not with this recipe but you certainly can!
Nathan 12.14.2023
How long would I need for it to cook in the crock pot on if I’m making a double?
Kristin 12.14.2023
Maybe just 30 extra minutes or so!
Zeb 12.09.2023
This is a fantastic dip recipe. Great with your favorite dipping snack or add it as a topping for a pizza.
One half the recipe is enough for two people with left overs.
Kristin 12.11.2023
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Zeb! Love the pizza idea!
Vern 11.12.2023
Loved this recipe!! Used about 1/3 cup of Frank’s which for some of us was just right. Put out a bottle of Frank’s for other’s to use. Had Chicken and Biscuit crackers, celery, carrots and ???? with it. Have had a couple of other recipes and this was by far the best!!
Kristin 11.14.2023
Awesome!! I’m so glad this recipe was a hit and you were able to customize it to your needs. Thanks for your recipe rating and feedback, Lycness!
Melanie 11.22.2023
I love making Buffalo Chicken Dip! I use sour cream and dried Ranch seasoning instead of the dressing. My favorite way to eat any leftovers is in an omelet the next morning. Yum!
Kristin 11.28.2023
Ooo, love the sounds of that spicy breakfast, Melanie!
Lycness 11.09.2023
I’ve been doing this recipe for 3 x now. My son and coworkers love it!
Kristin 11.10.2023
I LOVE hearing that, Lychness!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Jason 10.13.2023
you have the same amount of time for a 3 and 6 q Crock pot. is it really the same amount of time? thanks
Kristin 10.13.2023
Hey Jason! It looks similar but says for a 3 quart cook on low for 1-1/2 — 2 hours, stirring a couple of times. If you use a 6 quart crock pot, you’ll only need to slow cook for 1 — 1-1/2 hours, stirring about half way through. I hope that helps!
Susie 09.11.2023
I make a version where you sub the shredded Colby with with a jar of blue cheese. Mine also doesn’t do any ranch. I am going to try your version next time.
Kristin 09.12.2023
I hope you love it, Susie!!
Crystal 03.24.2023
I can’t wait to try this! Any idea how many cups this makes?
Sara 03.01.2023
I’m going to make this tomorrow! Should I drain the chicken first? Does it matter? Thanks!
Kristin 03.01.2023
There shouldn’t be too much liquid but yep, you can drain it if there is! :)
Sara 03.03.2023
It was delicious! Keeper recipe!!
Kristin 03.06.2023
Wohoo! Thanks for coming back with a star rating, Sara, I really appreciate it!!
Katie Beers 02.20.2023
This was delicious, easy, and will be a repeat recipe. I 1.5x the recipe for a small dip crock pot and it was the perfect amount. Thanks!
Kristin 02.21.2023
LOVE to hear it, Katie! Thanks so much for your feedback!!
Angela 02.09.2023
can you double this recipe in a 6 quart crockpot for a large crowd?
Kristin 02.10.2023
Absolutely!
Cassie 10.17.2021
This was so easy and fantastic. Using canned chicken saves a lot of time and it still tastes great.
Kristin 12.12.2022
Totally agree! So glad you loved it, Cassie!
Aly 09.19.2021
Love this recipe! I’m not a fan of canned chicken so I boil 1lb chicken breasts and then put everything in my kitchenaid and it shreds the meat and mixes everything together at the same time! Perfect for game days!
Kristin 12.12.2022
I love that, Aly! So glad you enjoyed – thank you so much for the feedback and recipe rating!
Chris 01.25.2021
I made this for a birthday party. It was awesome! I used Boars Head Buffalo Chicken. Everyone loved it. Thanks
Kristin 02.01.2021
Thrilled to hear it, Chris!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Laurie Thomas 01.12.2021
OMG made this Sunday for football…ummm let’s just say I am eating it with a spoon for lunch today! This is my new go-to dip!!!
Kristin 02.01.2021
HAHA, relatable!! So glad you loved the recipe, Laurie!
Sheri 12.31.2020
I made this for a NYE snack night and it was amazing!
Kristin 02.01.2021
Thrilled to hear it, Sheri!!
AS 12.30.2020
Do you know cook time for the instant pot?!
Kristin 12.30.2020
Hi hi! I don’t. I’d use a warming feature if it has it – everything is cooked, it just needs to be melted/warmed.