Save to Pinterest This creamy, spicy buffalo chicken combines tender shredded chicken with a blend of cream cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella for a rich flavor. Buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing add boldness while garlic and onion powders enhance the savory profile. Baked until bubbly and golden, it’s perfect served warm with veggies or low-carb crackers. Ideal for those seeking easy, flavorful low-carb options with a kick.
The first Super Bowl party I hosted after going keto, I was secretly nervous nobody would touch the food. Then my brother reached for third helpings of this buffalo dip and announced he actually preferred it to the regular version.
My friend Sarah swears she made this for her book club and spent twenty minutes explaining it wasnt cheating on their diets. Thats the thing about great food, it brings people together before they even think about nutrition labels.
Ingredients
- Cooked shredded chicken breast: Rotisserie saves time, but poaching your own gives you control over seasoning and salt levels
- Cream cheese: Must be completely softened to prevent those stubborn lumps that never quite dissolve
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Creates that incredible cheese pull everyone Instagrams but rarely achieves at home
- Sharp cheddar cheese: The extra age matters here, it cuts through the rich creaminess with tang
- Sour cream: Adds a slight brightness that balances the heavy buffalo sauce beautifully
- Buffalo wing sauce: Frank’s is the classic choice, but experiment with different heat levels
- Ranch dressing: Homemade elevates this to restaurant quality, but bottled works perfectly for weeknights
- Garlic and onion powder: These dried spices bloom in the heat, giving depth you cannot get from fresh versions here
- Black pepper: Freshly cracked makes a noticeable difference in the final flavor profile
- Green onions and blue cheese: The garnish that makes people ask what the secret ingredient is
Instructions
- Get your oven ready:
- Preheat to 375°F and grab your 1-quart baking dish while everything comes together
- Build the creamy base:
- Beat together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, buffalo sauce, and ranch until completely smooth
- Add the backbone flavors:
- Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until evenly distributed
- Fold in the good stuff:
- Gently mix in the shredded chicken with half of each cheese, being careful not to shred the chicken further
- Transfer and crown:
- Spread everything into your baking dish and blanket the top with the remaining cheese
- Bake until bubbly:
- Let it go for 18 to 20 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the cheese is completely melted
- Finish with fire:
- Hit it under the broiler for just 2 minutes to achieve that golden cheese crust
- The patience test:
- Let it rest 5 minutes, then scatter with green onions and blue cheese before serving
Save to Pinterest Last winter my neighbor texted at 11pm asking for the recipe after trying it at our annual cookie exchange. Sometimes the simplest foods create the lasting memories.
Make It Your Own
The beauty here is how adaptable the base recipe is to your personal heat tolerance. I have friends who double the buffalo sauce and others who stick to mild ranch, both versions disappear just as fast at parties.
Serving Suggestions
Celery and cucumber are classic low carb vehicles, but I have discovered roasted bell pepper strips work beautifully too. The slight sweetness from roasted peppers creates this incredible flavor contrast against the spicy dip.
Storage Secrets
This actually develops deeper flavor after a night in the refrigerator, so do not hesitate to make it the day before your gathering. The spices have time to mingle and settle into something truly special.
- Reheat covered at 350°F for 15 minutes to prevent drying out
- Stir halfway through to redistribute the melted cheese evenly
- Never microwave it straight from the fridge or you will get hot spots and cold pockets
Save to Pinterest There is something magical about watching friends crowd around a bubbling dish, forgetting whatever diet rules they thought they were following. That is the real secret ingredient.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken fresh?
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Yes, rotisserie chicken works great as a convenient, tender option for this dish.
- → How spicy is the buffalo wing sauce in this dish?
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The buffalo wing sauce adds a medium level of heat that can be adjusted by adding more hot sauce if desired.
- → What are good serving options with this creamy mixture?
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Serve warm with celery sticks, cucumber slices, or keto-friendly crackers for a balanced bite.
- → Can I substitute blue cheese for the sharp cheddar or mozzarella?
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Blue cheese can be added as a garnish or swapped with cheddar for a tangier flavor, depending on preference.
- → How long can leftovers be stored safely?
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Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days and reheat gently before serving.
