Quick Facts
Time: 15 minutes • Yield: ~8 servings • Skill: Easy • Method: Stovetop (one pan) • Diet: High-protein, gluten-free friendly
Introduction
Buffalo Chicken Dip you can make in the time it takes to set out the chips? This stovetop method warms Greek yogurt gently with shredded chicken and hot sauce so everything melds into a creamy, scoopable dip—no cream cheese required. The flavor hits all the right notes: bright cayenne heat, tangy coolness from the yogurt, and tender chicken throughout. The texture is ultra-creamy without feeling heavy, perfect for quick parties, after-work cravings, or building a speedy Buffalo Chicken Bowl. It’s ideal if you want Buffalo Chicken Recipes that are high-protein, budget-friendly, and ready on your schedule. Keep this in your back pocket for weeknights, or set it to warm in a mini slow cooker for a hands-off Buffalo Dip Crock Pot moment during the game.
Want more fast options? Skim our Buffalo Chicken Dip recipes—from five-ingredient to slow-cooker warmers.
Why You’ll Love It
- Weeknight-easy: 15 minutes on one burner
- Flexible: scale heat, cheese, and mix-ins
- Balanced flavor: creamy, tangy, spicy
- Great leftovers: stays scoopable and reheats well
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add shredded chicken and hot sauce. Stir to evenly coat the chicken and let it absorb the flavors.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add Greek yogurt, optional mayo, blue cheese, and half of the green onion. Stir gently to combine without boiling.
- Simmer for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture is hot, steamy, and creamy with small bubbles around the edge.
- Season with a pinch of salt and more hot sauce if desired. Top with remaining scallions and serve warm with chips or vegetables.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Ingredients
- 2 tsp olive oil
- ⅓ cup finely diced onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ cups shredded cooked chicken
- 3 Tbsp hot sauce (more to taste)
- 7 oz plain Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp mayonnaise (optional silkiness)
- 2 Tbsp crumbled blue cheese (optional)
- 1 large green onion, thinly sliced
- Pinch kosher salt
What each ingredient does:
- Olive oil: sautés aromatics.
- Onion/garlic: savory base.
- Chicken: satisfying body.
- Hot sauce: heat + tang.
- Greek yogurt: creamy binder.
- Mayo: extra gloss.
- Blue cheese: sharp bite (optional).
- Scallion/salt: freshness and balance.
Must-have vs. flexible: Chicken, yogurt, hot sauce are musts; mayo and blue cheese are optional.
Pro tip: Warm gently—yogurt can curdle if boiled. Keep heat at medium-low once stirred in.
Substitutions & Swaps
- Aromatics: Skip onion if short on time; use ½ tsp onion powder.
- Protein: Turkey or canned chicken (drained very well) works.
- Dairy/Fats: Swap blue cheese with extra cheddar if you prefer a classic cheesy profile.
- Diet tweaks: Gluten-free with GF dippers; lactose-free yogurt/cheese available.
- Budget/time savers: Rotisserie chicken or pre-shredded leftover chicken; skip blue cheese.
Equipment Notes
- Required: Medium saucepan, wooden spoon, measuring spoons.
- Nice-to-have: Mini slow cooker for serving warm.
- Size notes: A 2–3 qt saucepan prevents splatter but heats quickly.
- Cleaning tip: Deglaze the pan with a splash of water before washing if any sauce sticks.
Setting up a snack bar? A mini warmer lets you serve two or three dip recipes at once.
Step-by-Step
- Sauté aromatics (2–3 min). Heat oil over medium; cook onion and garlic until soft and fragrant. This builds savory depth.
- Stir in chicken and hot sauce. Coat the chicken so it absorbs flavor.
- Lower the heat; add yogurt, mayo, blue cheese, and half the scallions. Gentle heat avoids curdling and keeps the dip glossy.
- Simmer 3–4 minutes, stirring. You’re looking for steamy, bubbly edges and a unified, creamy dip.
- Season and serve. Taste for salt and heat; add more hot sauce if you want. Spoon into a bowl and top with remaining scallions.
Doneness cues: Hot and steamy with small bubbles; silky, not grainy.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Make-ahead: Cook aromatics and measure everything; chill chicken and yogurt separately. Combine and heat just before serving.
- Fridge: Store 3–4 days; expect the surface to set slightly—stir to refresh.
- Freeze: Not ideal; dairy can separate.
- Reheat: Warm gently on low or in the microwave at 50% power, stirring between bursts. Add a spoon of yogurt or a splash of water to loosen if needed.
How to Lighten / Make It Creamy
- Lighten: Use low-fat yogurt and add ¼ cup finely diced celery for volume.
- Creamy: Blend the yogurt with a tablespoon of blue cheese before adding for an ultra-smooth finish.
Toppings, Garnishes & Finishes
- Crunch: Toasted panko, crushed tortilla chips, or finely chopped nuts sprinkled on top.
- Fresh: Scallions, parsley, or a little celery leaf.
- Tang/Heat: Extra hot sauce or a squeeze of lemon right before serving.
Sides & Pairings
Set out celery and carrot sticks, cucumber rounds, and tortilla chips. For drinks, bubbly water with lime or a light, crisp white complements the spice.
Scaling the Recipe
Double in a 4–5 qt pot and transfer to a slow cooker to hold on warm. Halve for a cozy night and reduce simmer time slightly.
Nutrition & Dietary Notes
High in protein; carbs depend on dippers. Contains dairy; use lactose-free substitutes if needed. Naturally gluten-free with appropriate sides.
Troubleshooting
- Looks grainy? Heat was too high; whisk in a bit more yogurt off heat.
- Too mild? Add salt first, then more hot sauce.
- Too thick? Thin with a splash of warm water or broth.
- Too loose? Stir in a handful of finely shredded cheese and simmer 1 minute.
FAQs
Can I use frozen or precut ingredients? Yes—thaw frozen chicken fully; precut onion saves time.
Best swaps? Turkey or rotisserie chicken; cheddar instead of blue cheese.
How do I keep it silky? Keep heat medium-low after adding yogurt.
Dairy-free or gluten-free? Gluten-free is simple; dairy-free alternatives change flavor/texture.
How long does it keep/freeze? 3–4 days in the fridge; avoid freezing.
Variations
- Lemony Herb: Stir in lemon zest and chopped dill.
- Spicy Chipotle: Add minced chipotle and a touch of honey.
- Creamy Parmesan: Finish with grated parmesan and a splash of milk-style dairy.
Chef Notes / Test Kitchen Tips
Blooming onion and garlic first is the difference between “fine” and “wow.” Keep the yogurt off direct boil; low heat yields a silky, cohesive dip. Expect the perfect texture between 12–15 minutes total.
Conclusion
In just 15 minutes, you get a creamy, bold Buffalo Chicken Dip that fits busy nights and big appetites. It stays scoopable, packs protein, and makes excellent leftovers for tomorrow’s snack. If you try it, leave a note with your favorite dippers or how you served it at your next watch party.
Save this for game night and grab a couple more appetizer recipes to complete the spread.
