If you are someone that enjoys warm, cheesy dip bubbling away in the crock pot—especially one that brings all the bold, tangy flavor of classic buffalo wings without any of the fuss. This Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip is one of those effortless appetizers that feels like a breeze to make; just add everything to your slow cooker, let it melt into creamy perfection, and watch it disappear the moment you set it out.
It’s comforting, crowd-pleasing, and incredibly beginner-friendly. Whether you’re hosting, bringing a dish to a potluck, or just craving something cozy for a weekend at home, this dip checks every box. With tender shredded chicken, ranch, melty cheeses, and that signature buffalo kick, it’s the kind of recipe everyone asks for, and the easiest one you’ll ever make.
Buffalo chicken dip is a fun, modern twist inspired by one of America’s most iconic bar foods: Buffalo wings. The original buffalo wing was created in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, where crispy fried wings were tossed in a simple mixture of hot sauce and butter. The flavor became so loved that home cooks began reinventing it in all kinds of creative ways; pizza, sandwiches, casseroles, and eventually, this irresistible creamy dip.
The slow cooker version came along as busy families started embracing the convenience of crock pots in the ’80s and ’90s. It didn’t take long for people to realize you could take all the best parts of buffalo wings (tender chicken, spicy sauce, and cool, creamy ranch or blue cheese) and melt them together into one warm, scoopable appetizer.
Today, crock pot buffalo chicken dip is a game-day classic and potluck staple because it’s easy, hands-off, and always a hit. It gives you all that nostalgic Buffalo-wing flavor but in a cozy, melty dip that practically makes itself.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Hands-off and effortless: Just add everything to the slow cooker and let it work its magic. Perfect for beginners or busy days.
- Crowd-pleasing flavor: Creamy, cheesy, tangy, and packed with that classic buffalo kick everyone loves.
- Perfect for parties and potlucks: Stays warm and melty in the crock pot, making it great for gatherings, game day, and holiday spreads.
- Easy to scale: Double the ingredients in the same crock pot for larger groups.
- Great use for rotisserie or leftover chicken: Saves time and reduces food waste.
Jump to:
Equipment
- Crock Pot / Slow Cooker: Any standard 4–6 quart slow cooker works perfectly for melting everything together.
- Cutting Board & Sharp Knife: For slicing green onions, prepping any garnishes and cubing cream cheese.
- Mixing Spoon or Silicone Spatula: For stirring the dip as it cooks and before serving.
- Serving Bowl (optional): You can serve straight from the crock pot, or transfer it to a pretty bowl for entertaining.
- Small Plates & Dip Scoopers (optional): Tortilla chips, pretzel crisps, veggies—anything for dipping!
Ingredients
- Chicken: You can use cooked, shredded chicken (like rotisserie) or cook raw chicken right in the crock pot. It adds protein and makes the dip hearty and more filling.
- Cream Cheese: The base of the dip. It melts into a smooth, creamy texture that helps hold everything together. Cubing it helps it melt faster.
- Shredded Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese: Adds richness and that classic cheesy pull. A mix of sharp or mild cheddar and mozzarella brings the best flavor.
- Ranch Dressing: Gives the dip its cool, tangy, herby flavor that balances the heat from the buffalo sauce. You can also swap in blue cheese dressing if you prefer.
- Buffalo Sauce: Provides the signature spicy, buttery buffalo-wing flavor. Frank’s RedHot is traditional.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles (optional): Adds that classic Buffalo-wing tang. Totally skip if you’re not a blue cheese fan. Your dip will still be amazing.
- Salt & Pepper – Light seasoning for the chicken, especially if you’re cooking the chicken from raw.
- Green Onions – Fresh, bright, and colorful. They add a pop of flavor and make the final dish look extra pretty.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place the shredded chicken, cream cheese cubes, shredded cheddar, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, and optional blue cheese directly into the slow cooker.
- Step 2: Lightly mix the ingredients together. Cover and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours or HIGH for 1–1½ hours.
- Step 3: Stir the dip halfway through cooking to help everything blend smoothly.
- Step 3: The dip is ready when the cheese is melted, the mixture is hot, and everything looks smooth and well combined.
- Step 4: Stir again before serving to ensure all the cheese and buffalo sauce are evenly distributed.
- Step 5: Top with extra cheddar, blue cheese crumbles, or sliced green onions. Switch the crock pot to Warm to keep the dip hot while serving.
Tips & Tricks
- Use rotisserie chicken for easy prep: It’s tender, flavorful, and saves a ton of time. Hand-shred it for the best texture.
- Cube the cream cheese: Smaller pieces melt faster and blend more smoothly into the dip.
- Adjust the heat level to your taste: Add extra buffalo sauce for more spice, or reduce it slightly for a milder dip.
- Garnish for presentation: Green onions, blue cheese, or extra cheddar make the dip look vibrant and irresistible.
How To Serve
This dip is a hit anywhere you’d serve cozy, crowd-pleasing appetizers; especially parties, potlucks, game days, or relaxed weekend snacking at home. Keep it warm in the crock pot and let everyone dig in!
Here are some ways to enjoy it:
- Tortilla Chips: The classic choice, sturdy and perfect for scooping.
- Pretzel Crisps or Pretzel Rods: Salty, crunchy, and so good with buffalo flavor.
- Celery Sticks: Brings a fresh, cooling bite (just like buffalo wings!).
- Carrot Sticks: Crunchy and sweet, a great balance to the heat.
- Cucumber Slices: Surprisingly refreshing and great for lighter dipping.
- Crackers: Butter crackers, wheat crackers, or anything sturdy.
- Toasted Baguette Slices: Perfect for a more elevated presentation.
You can serve it straight from the slow cooker or transfer it to a pretty bowl for your appetizer spread. Either way, this dip will be one of the first dishes to disappear!
What To Pair With
Buffalo Chicken Dip is bold, creamy, and full of spicy flavor, so it pairs best with dishes that complement its richness or help balance the heat. Here are some crowd-pleasing ideas:
- Fresh & Crispy Sides: Fresh veggie platter, simple garden salad or coleslaw
- Carb-Friendly Favorites: Garlic bread, cornbread muffins, soft pretzels, or pull-apart rolls
- Easy Party Add-Ons: Chicken wings, loaded potato skins, mini sliders, or nachos
- Light & Fresh Options: Fruit platter or watermelon salad, corn on the cob, or roasted veggies
- Simple Bites: Mozzarella sticks, jalapeño poppers, or hush puppies
Servings
This Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip makes about 8–10 servings as an appetizer. If you’re serving it alongside a larger party spread, it can easily stretch to 12 servings.
For game days or potlucks with bigger crowds, feel free to double the recipe—your slow cooker will handle it perfectly!
Storage
Let the dip cool completely, then transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
To Reheat:
- Microwave: Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until warm and creamy.
- Stovetop: Warm gently over low heat, adding a splash of ranch or a small spoon of cream cheese if it feels too thick.
- Crock Pot: Add the dip back to the slow cooker and warm on LOW for 30–60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
FAQ
Yes! You can assemble all the ingredients in the slow cooker insert, refrigerate overnight, and cook the next day. You can also fully cook the dip and reheat it.
You can. Just drain it well and shred it with a fork. The texture is softer than rotisserie chicken, but it still works for this recipe.
Absolutely. Add more buffalo sauce for extra heat or use a mild buffalo sauce for a gentler kick.
Sharp or mild cheddar melts beautifully and gives the dip great flavor. You can also mix in mozzarella for extra stretchiness or blue cheese for bold, tangy notes.
Yes! Once the dip is fully melted and mixed, switch the slow cooker to Warm to keep it creamy and scoopable for hours.
Simply stir in a splash of ranch or a spoonful of warm buffalo sauce until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Additional Recipes
Try one of these recipes next:
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
Equipment
- Crock Pot / Slow Cooker (4–6 quart)
- Cutting Board
- Sharp knife
- Mixing spoon or silicone spatula
- Measuring cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Serving bowl (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken rotisserie works great
- 8 oz cream cheese cubed
- 1 cup shredded sharp or mild cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup buffalo sauce like Frank’s RedHot
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles optional
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Green onions sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Add the shredded chicken, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, blue cheese (if using), salt, pepper, and optional butter to your crock pot.
- Lightly stir ingredients to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours or HIGH for 1–1½ hours.
- Stir the dip halfway through cooking to help the cheeses melt evenly.
- Continue cooking until hot, creamy, and fully melted.
- Stir again before serving.
- Garnish with green onions, extra cheddar, or blue cheese crumbles.
- Switch the slow cooker to Warm while serving to keep the dip hot and scoopable.
I hope this Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip brings a little extra comfort and joy to your next gathering. It’s the kind of easy, foolproof recipe that always earns compliments and disappears fast. If you try it, let me know how it turns out, and don’t forget to explore more easy, comforting recipes here on Citrus & Charm Brunchery. There’s always something delicious waiting for you in the kitchen.
Comments
No Comments