Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip is a wonderful appetizer or snack that's made with healthy ingredients but tastes absolutely delicious. Serve it up alongside veggies, tortilla chips, or crackers, and you're looking at your new favorite snack!
Delicious and healthy buffalo chicken dip
I am a self-titled appetizer queen. I love anything that's suitable for game day, tailgates, or parties. If it can be eaten like a dip, I'm in! Though a ton of buffalo chicken dip recipes exist, I couldn't find one that was healthy but still tasted good, flavor is everything!
When I'm at a loss for the exact recipe that I'm looking for, well... I make my own! Low and behold, after hours spent scouring the internet for a buff chick dip that didn't come with hundreds of calories attached, I made my own, and healthier buffalo chicken dip was born.
Football season may have just come to a close, but that doesn't mean your appetizer snacking has to! Healthier buffalo chicken dip is a guilt-free option that's delicious when eaten alongside crackers, tortilla chips, carrots, or celery! Secretly packed with protein - you're going to love this buffalo dip!
The next time you sit down to watch your favorite Netflix series, you're going to want a bowl of this on your coffee table.
Ingredients used to make healthy buffalo chicken dip recipe
This buffalo chicken dip recipe is made using real, whole ingredients. In sticking with the "real" stuff, I'm able to achieve a delicious recipe that's way healthier, but tastes like the real deal!
Here's a list of everything you'll need to make your own dip:
- Shredded chicken
- Cream cheese or Neufchatel
- Hot sauce (Frank's red hot sauce is a good option)
- Mozzarella cheese
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Chopped green onion
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Optional toppings: Green onion, cheddar cheese, blue cheese
Tools you will need to make buffalo chicken dip
This dip recipe is incredibly simple to make and only requires a bit of shredding, chopping, mixing, and baking! To make this recipe, you'll need a baking dish, cutting board, chopping knife, mixing bowl, fork, and mixing spoon. That's it!
How to make healthier buffalo chicken dip
To make this dip, you'll need no more than 10 minutes for prepping. In total, this recipe takes about 30 minutes.
To begin making buffalo chicken dip, start by preheating the oven to 400F and greasing a baking dish.
You can use any round or square dish. I used an 8x8 dish, but anything around that will work. If using a bigger dish, slightly reduce the cooking time, as you'll be baking a thinner layer of dip.
In a large bowl, shred the chicken with a fork.
Then, add in the softened cream cheese, buffalo sauce, cheese, and Greek yogurt. Stir until combined.
Mix in the green onion, garlic powder, and onion powder. Then, pour into the greased baking dish.
Bake in the oven for 16-20 minutes, or until bubbly throughout.
Top with blue cheese, cheddar, and more green onion, and serve immediately. I like to serve mine with veggies and tortilla chips!
How to make buff chick dip ahead of time
If you'd like to make this buffalo chicken dip ahead of time, you can! Pre-making this dish is a great option if you want your dip to be nice and warm when serving. Store in the refrigerator until you are ready to reheat.
To make your dip ahead of time, follow all directions until you get to the baking portion. This means you will prep your chicken, mix your ingredients, and put everything in the baking dish. Then, cover with tin foil or plastic wrap and keep refrigerated for up to two days.
The day of your event, party, or dinner, just bake as directed, and you'll be good to go!
This recipe can also be made in the slow cooker or crock pot, just add everything in and warm throughout, and then top with cheese for the last thirty minutes.
For serving, tortilla chips are best, but we also love serving this with celery sticks, bell peppers, and carrots.
Buffalo chicken dip pointers
Use these tips to make the most of your delicious buff chick dip!
What type of chicken should I use?
You will need cooked chicken to make this recipe. You can use canned chicken, rotisserie chicken, or you can bake your own ahead of time. I like to use chicken breasts for this recipe, so I usually opt to cook my own.
How to replace mozzarella cheese
If you aren't a fan of mozzarella, you can instead use your favorite shredded cheese at a 1:1 ratio. Cottage cheese would also be a great addition here!
How to store buffalo chicken dip
Leftover dip can be stored by covering the original container with plastic wrap or foil and storing in the fridge. You can also place any leftovers in an airtight container. Eat refrigerated leftovers within 2-3 days.
How to reheat leftover dip
For best results, I recommend reheating leftover dip in the oven. Place desired amount in a baking dish, and bake at 350F until warm. Check it every few minutes to avoid overcooking.
Craving more appetizers and finger foods?
Below are more of my favorite dip-style recipes that are perfect for gatherings, parties, or at-home Netflix nights! You have to try these... especially the Healthy Seven Layer Dip.
- Easy Avocado Feta Dip
- Healthy Seven Layer Dip
- Savory Pumpkin Hummus
- Lemon Garlic Hummus
- Thai Peanut Hummus
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
If you tried this recipe or any other recipes on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Follow @erinliveswhole on Instagram and tag me in any of the recipes you make so I can repost them!
Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F and grease a baking dish. You can use any round or square dish around 8x8. If using bigger, reduce cooking time.
- In a large bowl, shred chicken with fork.
- Add in softened cream cheese, hot sauce, mozzarella cheese, and greek yogurt and stir until combined.
- Mix in green onion, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Pour into greased baking dish. Top with cheddar cheese.
- Bake in oven for 16-20 minutes or until bubbly throughout.
- Top with blue cheese and more green onion and serve immediately. I like to serve mine with veggies and tortilla chips.
Nutrition
Notes
- Make sure your cream cheese is softened before mixing. This helps everything blend together smoothly so you don't end up with lumps in your dip. Just set it out on the counter before you start prepping!
- You can totally make this ahead of time! Prep the whole dip up until the baking step, cover with foil, and refrigerate for up to two days. On the day of your party or game day, just pop it in the oven and you're good to go.
- For best results, reheat leftovers in the oven. Place the desired amount in a baking dish and bake at 350F, checking every few minutes. This keeps the texture nice and creamy rather than rubbery from the microwave.
Sierra says
Made this exactly by the recipe (except I forgot green onions) and it is SO good!
Erin says
Hi Sierra, so glad you loved it and hope you can add them next time!
Kiersten Lopez says
Made this last night for the first time. My friends were raving about it and the dish was licked clean! Will def be making as my go to app! Love that it’s a little healthier with the Greek yogurt. Yum!!
Erin says
Hi Kiersten, so happy everyone loved it! 🙂
Vannah says
I've been making this weekly for us and gatherings with friends/colleagues! It's delicious.
Erin says
Hi Vannah, so glad you all loved it! 🙂
Meredith says
Made this to bring to a party today! So flavorful - everyone loved it. I added a little sour cream and some extra blue cheese to the dip.
Erin says
Hi Meredith, so happy you loved it and made it your own!
jenna says
absolutely delicious!! I made one simple tweak and used 1/4 cup greek yogurt and 1/4 cup of light ranch and it was amazing. definitely my new favorite recipe, thanks for sharing!
Erin says
Hi Jenna, so glad you liked it and made it your own!!
Kellie says
I made this dip today and OMG it was amazing!! So easy and love that it’s healthier than other dips out there. This will be a regular addition to my Sunday Funday menu ❤️
Erin says
Hi Kellie, so glad you loved it! 🙂
Mac says
This was so easy to make and SO FREAKING GOOD. Will be on repeat every Sunday for us
Erin says
Hi Mac, so happy you loved it! 🙂 Happy Sunday!!
Taylor says
My go to whenever I need to bring an appetizer somewhere. I don't typically like anything too spicy but this is the perfect amount. Always a big hit!
Erin says
Hi Taylor, so happy you love it so much!!
Kristy says
made this for a game night and it was a 15/10 , everyone was obsessing over it, def going to be making again !
Erin says
Hi Kristy, so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Christina says
Could this be made in the crockpot?
Erin says
Hi Christina, yes! I would just let it cook for 4 hours on slow. Let me know how it comes out for you!!
Christine says
Did you end up trying it in the crackpot? I made it once in the oven and it was delicious!
Elizabeth Post says
Always a hit and always a go to appetizer to bring to a party!
Erin says
Hi Elizabeth, so glad you loved it!! 🙂
Kate says
This dip is incredible! I’ve made it multiple times and it may be even better as leftovers.
Erin says
Hi Kate, so glad you loved it!!
Amy says
I used fat free cream cheese, skipped the cheese altogether, and used Hidden Valley Ranch dip powder (1/2 teaspoon). I do WW so I was trying to make it less points. Thanks for sharing a healthier way to make this appetizer!!!
Erin says
Hi Amy, so glad you liked it and made it your own! 🙂
Lo Rahman says
I made this dip for the Super Bowl and it was insanely good and easy to make with canned chicken from Costco. My boyfriend couldn’t tell it was lightened up at all. We ate the leftovers after the game guilt free since this version was lower in fat than normal buffalo chicken dip, making it less heavy but still incredibly satiating due to the protein.
Erin says
Hi Lo, so happy you both enjoyed it so much! 🙂
Jake says
This is SO good! I used a half cup of cottage cheese instead of yogurt and it was unbelievably creamy with great flavor! We also only had 2/3 block of cream cheese left, and I added real garlic with no extra cheese on top. By far my favorite new recipe! Ty!
Erin says
Hi Jake, so glad you loved it and made it your own!!
Annie says
Amazing! Our super bowl party guests raved about this dip and I agree, it was awesome!!
Erin says
Hi Annie, so glad everyone loved it! 🙂
Liz says
Made this yesterday at it was delicious!! Still enjoying the leftovers today!
Erin says
Hi Liz, so glad you loved it!!
Lindsay Hawkins says
My favorite Buffalo chicken dip to date! I like to double the recipe! Thanks Erin!
Erin says
Hi Lindsay, so glad you loved it!!
Annie says
ELW does it again! Made this for the superbowl and it was a hit. The store was out of green onions so I used red onions and it was still amazing.
Erin says
Hi Annie, so happy you loved it and made it your own!
Nicole says
Amazing! So tasty and I prefer this over the original recipe.
Erin says
Hi Nicole, so glad you loved it!!
Nina says
This is SUCH a good buffalo chicken dip!!! Crowd favorite!
Erin says
Hi Nina, so glad you loved the dip! 🙂