Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

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This easy slow cooker buffalo chicken dip tastes just like hot wings!

A celery stick dipped in slow cooker buffalo chicken hot wing dip.

Everyone is obsessed with this easy slow cooker buffalo chicken dip.

This dip has lots of hearty chicken pieces and really does taste like chicken wings. I use ranch seasoning instead of dressing, keep the cheese in check, and add plenty of Frank’s hot sauce. I love cheese as much as anyone, but remember, this is wing dip, not cheese dip.

This dip doesn’t come out too spicy, even with the ½ teaspoon of cayenne added in. My 5-year-old and 3-year-old are both obsessed with this dip. If you enjoy really spicy wings, check out the recipe notes for adding more heat.

Buffalo chicken dip is perfect for game day, tailgating, parties, and general snacking! It’s crowd-pleasing, and, for what it’s worth, this dip is low-carb and gluten-free if you stick with the celery stick dipping option.

This dip tastes great whether you serve it hot or cold. We usually enjoy it warm from the slow cooker, but honestly, the leftovers are just as tasty straight from the fridge.

Ingredients

Cooked chicken breast, Frank's RedHot sauce, ranch seasoning, cream cheese, sour cream, pepper jack cheese, garlic powder, cayenne, and black pepper arranged on a countertop.

Frank’s Red Hot Sauce gives this dip a classic hot chicken wing flavor. You need to use the original hot sauce, not the buffalo sauce. Don’t try to substitute!
A packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning Mix gives it a tangy flavor that makes it taste like a wing dipped in ranch.
Garlic Powder, Cayenne, and Black Pepper add extra spice and flavor. Don’t worry, the amount of cayenne doesn’t make it too spicy.
Shredded or Diced Cooked Chicken Breast makes this dip hearty. It’s important to cook the chicken first. Raw chicken will become watery and won’t fully cook in the timeframe it takes to make the dip. I like to use poached chicken. It’s moist, tender, and not too salty. You can use shredded rotisserie chicken or drained low-sodium canned chicken if you prefer. You’ll need a total of 4 cups of chicken pieces.
A block of Full-Fat Cream Cheese forms the creamy dip. Make sure to use full-fat, or it won’t get nice and creamy.
Full-Fat Sour Cream is stirred in after cooking to bring out the tangy ranch flavor.
Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese brings it together to form the perfect dip.

Variation: Make it Spicier

For a hotter hot wing dip, add more cayenne or add a glug of your favorite hotter hot sauce. We like adding a tablespoon of Unique Garlique for more kick. Don’t skip the Frank’s. You’ll add more cayenne or another hot sauce in addition to Frank’s.

How to Make it

You’ll need a 2-quart slow cooker.

Frank's hot sauce, ranch seasoning, garlic, cayenne, and pepper in a slow cooker insert.

Whisking Frank's hot sauce, ranch seasoning, garlic, cayenne, and pepper in a slow cooker insert.

Pour the Frank’s red hot sauce in the slow cooker insert. Add the ranch seasoning packet, cayenne, garlic powder, and pepper. Then, whisk until combined.

Adding cooked chicken breast to Frank's hot sauce and ranch seasoning in a slow cooker insert.

Mixing cooked chicken breast with Frank's hot sauce and ranch seasoning in a slow cooker insert.

Stir in the cooked chicken breast, then top with the block of cream cheese. Don’t stir the cream cheese. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours.

Chicken breast, ranch seasoning, Frank's hot sauce, and cream cheese in a crock pot after being slow cooked.

Stirring cream cheese into slow cooked buffalo chicken dip.

After cooking, take the lid off and stir until the cream cheese is incorporated. Then, stir in the sour cream. It will be runny when you first remove the lid but will thicken up after a few minutes.

Adding the pepper jack cheese crockpot buffalo chicken dip.

Stirring the pepper jack cheese into slow cooker buffalo chicken dip.

Last, stir in the pepper jack cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese melts into the dip. Serve warm with plenty of dippers.

How to Store and Reheat

Allow dip to cool, then transfer it to a lidded container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Reheat leftovers in the microwave in a microwave-safe container and stir well before serving.

Or, you can serve them cold. We don’t usually bother reheating the leftovers because this buffalo chicken dip is just as good cold!

Stirring buffalo chicken dip in a crockpot.

Serving Tips

When to Serve

Slow cooker buffalo chicken dip is the perfect game day appetizer! It’s a guaranteed hit for a football or basketball watch party and is definitely part of our Super Bowl menu. This dip is also perfect for parties, holidays, potlucks, and snacking!

You can take it tailgating and plan to serve it hot or cold. If you want to serve it hot, make sure you have an electrical outlet at your destination. If you plan to serve it chilled, you can make it at home and let it cool. Then chill it and transport it in a cooler.

Dippers

You’ll want to serve buffalo chicken dip with plenty of dipping options! I’m a sucker for celery sticks because they really bring home the hot wing experience. Carrots are great too.

My kids love dipping it in pretzel chips, and my husband loves a sturdy tortilla chip. We all love it with homemade crostini!

You can also try it with sturdy crackers, corn chips like Frito scoops, or pita chips. There are so many great options.

Beverage Pairing

Don’t forget to pair this game day dip with the perfect drink. Beer is the obvious choice for a chicken wing dip! I like it with a crisp lager, a pale ale, or an IPA.

If you’re not a beer drinker, try it with a margarita or a dark and stormy.

For non-alcoholic options, make a pitcher of old fashioned lemonade or sweet iced tea.

Complete the Meal

This makes a perfect appetizer. I like serving it with other small bites to create a fun snacky spread instead of a main course meal. Dry making a dip spread with all the dippers. Include Mexican street corn dip and a pimento cheeseball.

If you’re serving it as a first course, follow up with slow cooker meatball subs or crockpot chicken taco soup for an easy, hands-off meal. I recommend having a 2-quart slow cooker and a larger one so you can use one for appetizers and the other for a main course!

A pretzel chip dipped in slow cooker buffalo chicken hot wing dip.

More Game Day Inspiration

Meatball Sub Sandwiches (slow cooker with frozen meatballs)

Pimento Cheese Ball

Mexican Street Corn Dip

Frequently Asked Questions

Can it be eaten cold?

Yes! This buffalo chicken dip is just as tasty served cold!

Can I store it in the crockpot and reheat it?

No. It is not recommended to reheat leftovers in the slow cooker. It may be unsafe or cause the crock to crack.

Can I use a bigger slow cooker?

If you need to use a bigger slow cooker, it’s best to double the recipe

Do I need to cook the chicken first?

Yes, the chicken will release juices and make the dip too watery if you use raw chicken.

Can I make it spicier?

By all means! I find this to be a very crowd-pleasing level of spice. Even my little kids like it. My husband and I love it with extra cayenne and a little bit of Unique Garlique stirred in at the end!