When I think football season, a few things come to mind: fall, fresh air, tailgates, and Buffalo Chicken Dip. I mean is there anything better than a hot, melty dip with just enough spice to munch on while you cheer on your favorite team?
I’ve been a buffalo fan for a long time. In the debate between BBQ vs Buffalo, I’m taking the buffalo option all day. But here’s the deal, it has to be done right. I am NOT a fan of overly hot, spicy foods that make your face feel on fire. For me, it’s more about that subtle spice that heats you up but in a gentle and enjoyable way.
Over the years, I’ve experimented with different buffalo chicken dip recipes, and one thing that always bugged me was the fact that it’s typically so greasy and calorie-dense. I’m all about balance with nutrition, but I also love an excellent healthier swap that allows me to eat more of my favorite foods without sacrificing taste.
So, with this desire in mind, I came up with the best buffalo chicken dip recipe around. And as a massive extra bonus, it’s macro-friendly meaning it’s high in protein and lower in fat than a traditional buffalo wing dip recipe.
An extra-extra bonus - this recipe is so simple and easy to prepare and requires only a handful of ingredients. Can I get an Amen?!
What Do You Need to Make the Best Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe?
- Fat-free cream cheese or Neufchatel cheese
- Yogurt ranch dressing (I love Bolthouse)
- Reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
- Reduced-fat shredded Colby jack cheese
- Half of a packet of dry ranch dressing mix
- Franks Red Hot Buffalo Sauce
- Chicken breast (canned or cooked and shredded yourself)
- Something to dip in it! (chips, pretzels, carrots, celery, etc.)
What Kitchen Tools are Needed?
All you’re going to need to make this buffalo chicken dip recipe is:
- A large mixing bowl
- A mixing spoon
- 8 x 8 baking dish
- Measuring cups
You will also need access to an oven as this recipe will be baked.
How to Prepare
To make this recipe as quickly and efficiently as possible, there are a couple of things that you can prepare ahead of time to make it smooth.
First, take your block of cream cheese out of the fridge 30-60 minutes before you’re planning to start the recipe to make sure it’s soft and pliable. If you don’t think to do this ahead of time, no worries, as you can easily warm it up in the microwave.
Secondly, depending on what type of chicken you’ll be using in your buffalo dip, you might need to do some prep work. The easiest way to make this recipe is to use a can of chicken breast or chicken from a rotisserie chicken. However, you can also prep your own chicken breast to use. I recommend cooking your chicken in a crock pot or instant pot and then shredding it so it’s fine enough to keep the dip consistency smooth and easy to scoop with a chip.
What Makes This Recipe Macro-Friendly?
This is a macro-friendly recipe thanks to the relatively high protein content and low fat and carbs, especially when compared to a traditional chicken wing dip recipe. Of course, what you use to dip will play a huge role in your total calories and macros, so be sure to choose macro-friendly chips or veggies if you want to keep the calories on the lower end.
What Are the Macros?
Giving an exact measurement of macros on a recipe like this is difficult, however, I can at least offer a ballpark estimate based on the recipe and ingredients I used.
Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe Macros:
- Total calories: 273
- Protein: 19
- Carbs: 5
- Fats: 20
Ingredient Swaps
Sometimes, it’s hard to find the exact ingredients that a recipe calls for, so sometimes a swap is necessary. Don’t worry, making the best Buffalo chicken dip recipe is not an exact science - you can improvise and still end up with an amazing dish.
Neufchatel cheese - If you can’t find this specific product, you can grab a less-fat cream cheese or even go for the real thing if you’d like, subbing for full-fat cream cheese.
Canned chicken breast - Feel free to use whatever chicken breast or even turkey breast that you have on hand! Rotisserie chicken, boiled chicken, baked chicken, turkey breast, etc.
Colby Jack and Mozzarella Cheese - This recipe calls for less-fat shredded cheeses, but if you’re having trouble finding the exact ones, feel free to grab any shredded cheese on hand. Cheddar cheese would work well!
Yogurt Ranch Dressing - If you can’t find a greek yogurt-based ranch dressing, you can go ahead and use a regular bottle of ranch dressing, either the full-fat version or the less-fat version to save a few calories.
What Dippers to Use?
Just as exciting as making the Buffalo Chicken Dip is figuring out what you want to dip in it. There are so many different options! My favorites include:
- Tortilla chips
- Pretzels
- Crackers
- Baby carrots
- Celery
- Popcorners chips
The Best Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe - Step-by-Step Directions
Ready to make the best buffalo chicken dip recipe ever? Seriously, get ready for the crowd to rave about this one.
Ingredients
- 1 block Neufchatel cheese
- 1/3 cup Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing (I like Bolthouse Farms)
- 1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded Colby jack cheese
- 1/2 packet dry ranch mix
- 1/2 cup Franks Red Hot Buffalo sauce
- 1, 12oz can white chunk chicken breast, drained
How to Make
Step 1
Gather all the ingredients.
Step 2
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Step 3
Make sure that your Neufchatel cheese is softened either by leaving it out on the counter for a while or for 30 seconds in the microwave.
Step 4
Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl (chicken, ranch dressing, ranch seasoning, Buffalo sauce, Colby Jack, and about half of the Mozzarella cheese)
Step 5
Stir everything together.
Step 6
Place the mixture in an even layer in an 8x8 baking pan.
Step 7
Top the mixture with the remaining half of the Colby jack cheese.
Step 8
Place in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
Final Thoughts: This Buffalo Chicken Dip is a MUST Try
After eating one too many greasy (albeit delicious) chicken wing dips over the years, I felt determined to make a macro-friendly option that still tastes just as amazing. And I can confidently say that they have a real winner with this one! I’ve tested it on many people and every single person has been a raving fan, asserting that this is the best buffalo chicken dip recipe they’ve ever had.
So next time you need a dish for a party or you just want to enjoy a hot, cheesy, melty dip at home, keep this recipe in your back pocket - it won’t disappoint!
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip (Macro Friendly)
Equipment
- 1 Mixing spoon
- 1 8x8 baking dish
- Measuring cups
Ingredients
- 1 block Neufchatel cheese
- ⅓ cup Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing (I like Bolthouse Farms)
- ½ cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup reduced-fat shredded Colby jack cheese
- ½ packet dry ranch mix
- ½ cup Franks Red Hot Buffalo sauce
- 12 oz white chunk chicken breast, drained
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Make sure that your Neufchatel cheese is softened either by leaving it out on the counter for a while or for 30 seconds in the microwave
- Mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl (chicken, ranch dressing, ranch seasoning, Buffalo sauce, Colby Jack, and about half of the Mozzarella cheese)
- Stir everything together
- Place the mixture in an even layer in an 8x8 baking pan
- Top the mixture with the remaining half of the Colby jack cheese
- Place in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown