Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip with Ranch Drizzle
A quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing appetizer made with cream cheese, shredded chicken, and buffalo sauce, finished with a tangy ranch drizzle. Perfect for game day or last-minute gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz cream cheese (two 8-oz blocks), softened to room temperature
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (rotisserie or canned, well-drained)
- 1/2 cup creamy ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp ranch dressing (for drizzle)
- 1 tsp hot sauce (for drizzle)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish.
- Place softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. If needed, microwave in 30-second intervals until smooth.
- Add ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, and garlic powder to the cream cheese. Beat with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in the shredded chicken, mozzarella, and cheddar cheese using a spatula until evenly distributed.
- Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is hot, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
- While the dip bakes, mix the 2 tablespoons of ranch dressing with the 1 teaspoon of hot sauce in a small bowl.
- Remove the dip from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Drizzle the ranch mixture over the top in a zigzag pattern and serve immediately with crackers, tortilla chips, or celery sticks.
Notes
Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature to avoid lumps. Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting. If using canned chicken, drain it very well to prevent a watery dip. The dip can be made in a slow cooker on low for 1-2 hours if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the batch
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Protein: 15
Keywords: buffalo chicken dip, creamy dip, game day food, easy appetizer, ranch drizzle, chicken dip, party food, quick recipes