Easy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip with Ranch
This creamy, spicy, and utterly addictive buffalo chicken dip is made effortlessly in the slow cooker. Perfect for game days, parties, and potlucks, it’s a crowd-pleaser that practically makes itself.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (canned white meat chicken works well)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet (about 1 oz) ranch dressing mix
- ½ cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar recommended)
- ½ cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)
- 3–4 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- For serving: celery sticks, carrot sticks, tortilla chips, pita chips, or crusty bread
Instructions
- Soften the cream cheese: About 30 minutes before starting, take the cream cheese out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature.
- Mix the ranch seasoning: In a small bowl, combine the ranch dressing mix with 2 tablespoons of water to form a thick paste.
- Combine the base: In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the ranch paste until smooth and fluffy.
- Layer in the slow cooker: Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the shredded chicken evenly across the bottom. Pour the hot sauce over the chicken and stir to coat.
- Add the cream cheese mixture: Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the chicken and hot sauce. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Cook on low: Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours. After 2 hours, check the dip—it should be bubbly around the edges and the cheese fully melted. Stir until smooth.
- Add blue cheese (optional): Fold in the blue cheese crumbles, reserving a few for garnish.
- Taste and adjust: Add more hot sauce for heat or extra cream cheese for creaminess as desired.
- Keep warm: Switch the slow cooker to the ‘Warm’ setting if not serving immediately. If too thick, stir in a tablespoon of milk or chicken broth.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle sliced green onions and remaining blue cheese crumbles on top. Serve directly from the slow cooker or transfer to a serving bowl with dippers.
Notes
Use room temperature cream cheese to avoid lumps. Check dip at 2 hours to prevent overcooking. Shred your own cheese for smoother melting. Double the recipe in a 6-quart slow cooker without increasing cooking time. For a stovetop version, combine all ingredients in a pot over low heat, stirring frequently for 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 890
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Protein: 20
Keywords: buffalo chicken dip, slow cooker dip, game day dip, party dip, buffalo ranch dip