Buffalo Chicken Dip is a game-day must! Whether you’re watching the game at home or with your friends, everyone will love this spicy, creamy dip.
My husband has been in a great mood ever since the Big Ten announced their 2020 schedule.
In fact, I think he’s about 2 seconds away from making a paper chain to countdown the days until the first Ohio State Buckeyes game.
And since he’s been really into air fryer chicken wings, I’d thought I’d throw a little buffalo chicken dip action into the mix using the same flavors as the wings he’s been loving. Game day snacks are the best, right?.
This easy-to-make party favorite, buffalo chicken dip, is creamy, cheesy, and sour. Everyone loves it. But the key to getting the right texture and making sure it’s safe to eat is knowing what temperature to bake it at. There is a lot to learn about baking buffalo chicken dip. This guide has it all, from the best oven temperatures and cook times to food safety tips.
The Most Common Buffalo Chicken Dip Baking Temperatures
Most buffalo chicken dip recipes call for baking at 350°F to 375°F. This temperature range allows the dip to heat through fully while melting the cheeses into a smooth, creamy texture.
Here are some of the most common buffalo chicken dip baking temperatures:
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350°F – This is the most widely used baking temperature for buffalo chicken dip recipes. At 350°F, the dip will bake through in 20-30 minutes, turning bubbly at the edges once ready.
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375°F – Baking at 375°F will cook the dip slightly faster in around 20 minutes. This higher heat helps the cheese melt faster into a silky texture.
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400°F – Some recipes call for baking as high as 400°F This hotter temperature cuts the baking time down to 15-20 minutes But watch closely, as the dip can burn quickly at this high heat.
No matter what temperature you use, always bake until the dip is heated through and the cheese is fully melted and smooth. The edges will look bubbly when it’s ready.
How Long Should You Bake Buffalo Chicken Dip For?
Different ovens take different amounts of time to cook, but in general, bake buffalo chicken dip for 20 to 30 minutes.
Here are some approximate bake times for common temperatures:
- 350°F – Bake for 25-30 minutes
- 375°F – Bake for 20-25 minutes
- 400°F – Bake for 15-20 minutes
When it’s done, the dip should be hot all the way through, with melted, creamy cheese and bubbling sides. If baking at a higher temperature, keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
An instant-read thermometer can confirm doneness – the center should reach 165°F. Let the dip rest 5 minutes before serving so the heat evenly distributes.
Key Tips for Baking Success
Follow these tips for perfectly baked buffalo chicken dip every time:
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Use an oven-safe baking dish. Ceramic, glass, and metal all work well. Make sure it’s big enough for the dip to spread out.
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Preheat your oven fully before baking. This helps prevent drastic temperature fluctuations.
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Don’t overcrowd the dish. If baking a large batch, divide between two dishes so the dip cooks evenly.
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Tent foil over the dip if it browns too quickly on top. This prevents burning.
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Allow the dip to rest 5-10 minutes before serving. This lets the heat redistribute so no hot spots remain.
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Check for doneness with an instant-read thermometer to confirm it reaches 165°F.
Can You Bake Buffalo Chicken Dip in the Crockpot?
While stovetop baking is most common, you can also make buffalo chicken dip in a slow cooker or Crockpot.
To make crockpot buffalo chicken dip:
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Cook the chicken and prepare the ingredients as directed in your recipe.
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Combine everything in the slow cooker and cook on Low for 2-3 hours or High for 1-2 hours.
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Stir halfway through to redistribute the cheese. Cook until heated through and the cheese melts.
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Switch to Warm to keep dip hot and creamy for serving.
The dip may not get as browned and crispy on the top when cooked in a Crockpot. But the hands-off approach makes it an easy option.
Food Safety Tips for Buffalo Chicken Dip
Proper food safety is crucial when working with ingredients like raw chicken and dairy. Follow these tips:
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Always use cooked, shredded chicken. Never use raw chicken, as the dip won’t get hot enough to cook it through.
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Refrigerate the dip if not baking immediately. Do not leave raw chicken dip at room temperature.
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Preheat oven fully before baking to prevent the “danger zone” of 40-140°F.
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Bake at 350°F+ until the dip reaches 165°F internally. This kills any bacteria.
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Don’t keep buffalo chicken dip at room temperature once baked. Refrigerate within 2 hours.
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Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat fully to 165°F before serving again.
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Discard any dip that smells bad or develops mold. Don’t taste test questionable dip.
Following food safety guidelines carefully prevents the spread of foodborne illnesses when working with raw chicken and dairy-based dips.
Common Substitutions and Variations
The classic buffalo chicken dip recipe calls for just a few main ingredients like chicken, cream cheese, ranch dressing, hot sauce, and shredded cheese. But you can modify it in many ways:
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Use different cheeses: Cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, and blue cheese all work.
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Swap the dressing: Substitute ranch for bleu cheese dressing.
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Adjust the spice level: Use less hot sauce for a milder version or more for extra heat.
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Use different chicken: Rotisserie, canned, or turkey all work well.
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Make it keto: Replace bread crumbs with pork rinds or almond flour.
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Add veggies: Stir in chopped green onions, bell peppers, or celery.
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Garnish with extras: Top with crumbled bacon, green onion, or fresh herbs.
Get creative and make the buffalo chicken dip your own with simple ingredient tweaks. Just maintain the basic creamy texture and Buffalo flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about baking buffalo chicken dip:
What kind of dish should I bake it in? Use oven-safe ceramic, glass, or metal baking dishes. Avoid plastic. Pick a dish large enough to allow the dip to spread out.
Can I prepare it ahead of time? Yes, assemble the dip up to 2 days before and refrigerate until ready to bake. Allow refrigerated dip to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
What’s the ideal serving temperature? Serve buffalo chicken dip warm, straight from the oven at around 160°F-175°F. Transfer to a slow cooker set to Warm to keep it hot for serving.
How long does baked buffalo chicken dip last? Properly stored leftovers will last 3-4 days refrigerated. Reheat to 165°F before serving again. Discard any dip that smells odd or develops mold.
Can I freeze buffalo chicken dip? It’s not recommended. The creamy texture suffers when frozen and reheated. Refrigeration is best for storing leftovers.
The Perfect Game Day Appetizer
With its spicy, cheesy, creamy flavors and easy preparation, it’s no wonder buffalo chicken dip is a go-to appetizer for game days, parties, and potlucks. Just be sure to bake it at the right temperature until heated through and melted. Follow proper food safety, and this classic dip is sure to be a crowd-pleasing hit. Get ready to enjoy buffalo chicken dip at its warm, melty best!
WHAT HOT SAUCE AND CHICKEN SHOULD I USE?
Obviously two of the main ingredients in this dip are going to be hot sauce and chicken. But there are a few options for both of these, so which should you use?.
One of my friends has a literal collection of hot sauce. We’re talking 50+ types of hot sauce. To find out which hot sauce would work best in this Buffalo Chicken Dip, I asked a skilled professional.
For a classic buffalo sauce flavor, you’ll want to grab your favorite classic cayenne pepper sauce. My friend recommended Sweet Baby Ray’s Hot Sauce or Frank’s RedHot.
For the chicken, I like to grab a rotisserie chicken and shred it up. It’s quick and easy and the cooking has already been done for me.
You could also cook chicken breasts, shred them, and store them in the freezer for whenever you need them.
I’m going to be honest, though, sometimes I take the ultimate shortcut. Are you ready?
Sometimes I use canned chicken in this dip.
It’s not an ingredient I reach for a lot, but it works great in this kind of recipe! It is also really finely shredded, which can be nice.
If you want bigger pieces of shredded chicken, go for the rotisserie. If you want it super fine? Canned is the way to go. (I promise no one will know!).
HOW TO MAKE BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP
You’ll make this dip for everything from your annual Super Bowl party to a casual movie night on the weekend because it’s so easy to make!
Anyone can find the things they need to make this dip, and you might even already have some in your fridge or pantry:
- 1 cup of hot sauce, like Frank’s RedHot or Sweet Baby Ray’s
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
- ½ cup shredded cheese of your choice, like pepper jack, cheddar, monterey jack, etc.
If you want, you can use homemade ranch dressing in this recipe, but the bottled stuff will do just fine.
To make this baked Buffalo Chicken Dip, grab a saucepan and whisk together the butter and hot sauce over medium heat until the butter is melted.
Did you know that you just made buffalo sauce? Yep, buffalo sauce is just a combo of hot sauce and butter.
Some buffalo sauce recipes will add other ingredients, such as vinegar or spices. But at its simplest, it’s just hot sauce and butter. (The butter is why it tastes so good!)
Next, whisk in the seasonings and cream cheese, adding in the ranch dressing once the cream cheese is melted.
Give it a taste – now is a good time to add salt and pepper to taste and adjust the heat level if necessary.
Stir in the chicken and spread the dip into a 2-quart baking dish. Top with the shredded cheese of your choice; I like to use cheddar, but you could use monterey jack or pepper jack if you prefer.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly. If you like, pop it under the broiler for a few minutes until the top is nice and browned.
Garnish with a little sliced green onions or cilantro and you’re ready to serve!