Buffalo Chicken Dip
Before diving into the land of Buffalo chicken dip, let's chat about what goes nicely with it. This dish is versatile and can fit seamlessly into various types of gatherings
Equipment
- Oven
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups sharp Cheddar cheese freshly shredded. This cheeses adds that familiar, melting magic.
- ¾ cup cayenne-style hot pepper sauce I recommend Frank’s RedHot. This sauce gives the dish its signature heat.
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika—it introduces a subtle warmth.
- 2 10-ounce cans of premium chunk white chicken, well-drained. This keeps it hearty.
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce—it adds a savory depth that complements the other flavors.
- 1 cup creamy buttermilk ranch dressing—this balances the heat with its coolness.
- 2 8-ounce blocks of cream cheese, brought to room temperature—this is what makes it creamy.
- 1 bunch of crisp celery stalks cut into 4-inch sticks for dipping. Fresh and crunchy, they offer a perfect contrast.
Instructions
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
- Before anything else, make sure you’ve got all your ingredients laid out in your workspace. It’s much easier this way! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175 °C) so it’s ready for the dip later on.
Step 2: Prepare the Ingredients
- Get your kitchen tools ready. You will need a large mixing bowl, a spatula or wooden spoon, and an oven-safe dish. Drain the chicken thoroughly and shred it into chunks. You want to maximize flavor and ensure everything blends nicely.
Step 3: Mix the Ingredients
- In your large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cream cheese, ranch dressing, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Don’t be shy—get in there and break up any cream cheese clumps. It should be a lovely mixture with everything blending seamlessly.
Step 4: Add Some Kick
- Now, add the hot pepper sauce and smoked paprika to the same bowl. Give it another good stir until all ingredients are evenly distributed. You’ll notice that the color starts to change to a beautiful orange. That’s a good sign!
Step 5: Cheese, Please
- Fold in the sharp Cheddar cheese. Reserve some cheese to sprinkle on top later for a cheesy golden crust. Make sure everything is well mixed.
Step 6: Transfer to Baking Dish
- Spoon the dip mixture into your oven-safe dish. Even it out with the spatula. Sprinkle the reserved Cheddar cheese on top. You want a generous layer to get that nice melty finish.
Step 7: Bake
- Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on it; you want it bubbly and golden brown on top. Your kitchen will smell amazing by this point!
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
- Once done, carefully pull out the dish and let it cool slightly before serving. Bring out those dipping options—chips, veggies, or bread—and watch your guests dig in!
Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Freshly shredded cheese melts better. Pre-shredded cheese can contain anti-caking agents that affect melt quality.
- Adjust the Heat: Tailor the hot sauce quantity to your spice tolerance. If you're after more heat, ramp it up!
- Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature. It will combine more smoothly.
- Mix it Up: Try roasting your chicken in advance for a deeper flavor. You could even use leftover rotisserie chicken instead of canned.
- Garnish: Consider garnishing with green onions or blue cheese crumbles before serving for that extra touch.
- Adjust the Heat: Tailor the hot sauce quantity to your spice tolerance. If you're after more heat, ramp it up!
- Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature. It will combine more smoothly.
- Mix it Up: Try roasting your chicken in advance for a deeper flavor. You could even use leftover rotisserie chicken instead of canned.
- Garnish: Consider garnishing with green onions or blue cheese crumbles before serving for that extra touch.
Nutrition
Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 20gFat: 20gSodium: 750mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!