Buffalo Chicken Dip With Ground Chicken — Cozy, Reliable, Weeknight-Ready

Quick Facts

Time: 30 minutes • Yield: 8–10 as an app • Skill: Easy • Method: One-pan + bake • Diet Tags: High-protein

Introduction

Buffalo Chicken Dip with ground chicken is the no-stress way to get that bubbling, cheesy party dip without shredding chicken or blowing the budget. Starting with ground chicken means faster prep and perfect texture—tiny crumbles in a creamy, tangy sauce that bakes to a golden top. Flavor-wise, think zesty hot-sauce heat balanced by cool dairy and a savory backbone from onion and garlic. It’s the ideal fit for busy weeknights, game days, or potlucks where you want something reliable and universally loved. Below you’ll find a streamlined ingredient list, step-by-step timing, smart swaps, and tips to keep it creamy in the oven or slow cooker.

Why You’ll Love It

• Weeknight-easy: minimal prep; clear 30-minute bake window.
• Flexible: swap cheeses or use Greek yogurt for a lighter vibe.
• Balanced flavor: tangy, spicy, creamy with fresh finishers.
• Great leftovers: reheat for a fast Buffalo Chicken Bowl.

This cozy, cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip made with ground chicken delivers party-ready flavor in just 30 minutes. It’s tangy, spicy, creamy, and packed with protein — perfect for game days, potlucks, or weeknights when you need something fast and reliable.

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Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 260

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 tbsp oil or butter
• 0.5 medium onion, finely diced (optional)
• 2–3 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
• 0.5 cup buffalo wing sauce
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 0.5 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
• 0.25 cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar/Jack cheese blend, divided
• 2 tbsp chopped chives or scallions
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Equipment

• Skillet 10–11″ preferred for browning chicken evenly.
• Oven-safe baking dish 8–9″ or a 10″ cast iron skillet works.
• Rubber spatula Useful for smooth mixing and spreading.
• measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowl (optional) For combining ingredients off-heat.

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease your baking dish.
2. In a skillet, warm oil over medium heat. Add ground chicken and cook 5–6 minutes, breaking it up into fine crumbles. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Add onion and garlic (if using) and stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Lower heat and stir in buffalo sauce to coat the chicken. Let simmer briefly to absorb flavor.
5. Remove from heat. Stir in cream cheese, Greek yogurt or sour cream, and dressing until fully smooth. Fold in half the shredded cheese.
6. Spread the dip mixture into a greased baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.
7. Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbling and golden at the edges.
8. Sprinkle with chives or scallions. Let rest 3–5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 260kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 20gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 530mgPotassium: 280mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 650IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 0.8mg

Notes

Make it ahead up to 24 hours and bake when ready. To lighten it up, use Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cheese. For extra creaminess, blend a bit of the dip before serving. Use mozzarella for melt, cheddar for flavor. Easily reheats and keeps well for up to 3–4 days in the fridge.

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Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 tbsp oil or butter
• ½ medium onion, finely diced (optional)
• 2–3 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
• ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
• ¼ cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar/Jack blend, divided
• 2 tbsp chopped chives or scallions
• Salt and pepper, to taste

What each ingredient does:

• Ground chicken: hearty texture and fast cook.
• Onion/garlic: savory depth.
• Buffalo sauce: signature heat/tang.
• Cream cheese & yogurt: body and silkiness.
• Dressing: classic Buffalo flavor.
• Shredded cheese: melty top and pull.
• Chives/scallions: fresh bite.
  Pro tip: keep heat moderate and fold dairy in off heat before baking.

Substitutions & Swaps

• Aromatics: skip onion/garlic for ultra-quick; add celery for crunch.
• Protein: ground turkey, or a plant-based ground.
• Dairy/fats: use Greek yogurt for lighter, sour cream for richer; swap part of the cheese for mozzarella for extra melt.
• Diet tweaks: lactose-free dairy works; serve with GF dippers if needed.
• Time savers: pre-diced onion, bagged shredded cheese.

Equipment Notes

• 10–11″ skillet for browning.
• 8–9″ oven-safe baking dish or 10″ cast-iron skillet.
• Rubber spatula for smooth mixing and easy spreading.

Step-by-Step

1. Preheat: 350°F and grease your baking dish.
2. Brown chicken (5–6 min): Warm oil in skillet; add chicken, breaking into fine crumbles. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
3. Aromatics (1 min): Stir in onion and garlic until fragrant.
4. Sauce base (1–2 min): Lower heat; add buffalo sauce and toss to coat so chicken absorbs flavor.
5. Make it creamy (2–3 min): Off heat, stir in cream cheese, yogurt, and dressing until smooth. Fold in half the shredded cheese.
6. Bake (20 min): Spread into the dish; top with remaining cheese. Bake until hot and bubbling at the edges; spots of golden brown on top.
7. Finish: Sprinkle with chives/scallions. Rest 3–5 minutes so it sets slightly for perfect scoops.

Doneness cues: edges bubbling; center hot and melty; spoon leaves creamy trails.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating

• Make-ahead: assemble in the dish (unbaked) up to 24 hours ahead; bake from cold + 5 minutes.
• Fridge: 3–4 days.
• Freeze: up to 3 months (best without the fresh herbs; add after reheating).
• Reheat: 325°F covered until warm, or gentle stovetop with a splash of yogurt.

Stashing a couple options? Explore more easy Dip Recipes to prep alongside this one.

How to Lighten / Make It Creamy

• Lighten: use more Greek yogurt, part-skim cheeses, and add diced celery for volume.
• Ultra-creamy: blend ¼ cup of the dip and fold back in; or whisk in a spoon of cream cheese right before serving. Temper dairy by mixing off heat.

Toppings, Garnishes & Finishes

• Crunch: toasted panko or crushed plain chips.
• Fresh: parsley or extra chives.
• Tang/Heat: dash of hot sauce or a squeeze of lemon.

A sprinkle, a swirl, a squeeze—your three-second upgrade.

Sides & Pairings

Serve with tortilla chips, celery, carrots, cucumber coins, or warm pita. Light, crisp drinks keep the palate fresh.

Feeding a crowd? Pair it with our most-loved Appetizer Recipes.

Scaling the Recipe

Double in a 9×13″ dish; bake 22–28 minutes, watching for bubbling edges. For half-batch, use a small 6–7″ dish to keep the layer thick.

Nutrition & Dietary Notes

Protein-forward and satisfying. Gluten-free when served with GF sides. Contains dairy.

Troubleshooting

• Too watery? Bake 3–5 more minutes or stir in extra cheese.
• Too thick? Fold in a spoon of yogurt.
• Too mild? Add hot sauce and a pinch of salt.
• Greasy top? Stir vigorously to emulsify or blot lightly with a paper towel before garnishing.

FAQs

Can I use frozen/precut ingredients? Yes—frozen onions and precooked rice for bowls work great.
What are the best swaps? Ground turkey or plant-based ground; mozzarella for stretch, cheddar for flavor.
How do I keep it creamy? Mix dairy off heat; don’t over-bake.
Crock pot option? After browning and mixing, warm on LOW 1–2 hours; stir occasionally.
How long does it keep? 3–4 days chilled; up to 3 months frozen.

Love this texture? Try these Buffalo Chicken Dip recipes with extra-melty cheese or milder heat.

Variations

• Lemony Herb: finish with lemon zest/juice and dill.
• Spicy Chipotle: add minced chipotle and a touch of honey.
• Creamy Parmesan: fold in grated Parmesan and a splash of cream.

Chef Notes / Test Kitchen Tips

The biggest win is browning your chicken well before adding dairy—the fond boosts flavor without extra ingredients. Watch your bake window; most dishes are perfect between 18–22 minutes.

Conclusion

This baked Buffalo Chicken Dip with ground chicken is cozy, reliable, and weeknight-ready. It keeps beautifully for 3–4 days, so make extra for snacky dinners or bowls. If it hits your table on repeat, save and rate so others can find it too.