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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 8×8 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
Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip
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!
Ingredients
- 2 12.5 oz cans of chicken or 2.5 cups of finely shredded chicken breasts (or rotisserie chicken)
- 1 8oz package light cream cheese or Neufchatel, softened.
- 1/2 cup Franks hot sauce
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 3/4 cup cheddar cheese for topping
- optional toppings: green onion, blue cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F and grease a baking dish. You can use any round or square dish around 8×8. 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.
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Sam says
Awesome recipe. I made a batch and had to make another two days later. The family devoured it!! Thanks for an easy to follow, delicious, healthier alternative.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sam, so happy you all loved it so much! ๐
Sydney Blackburn says
Made this today for college gameday and it was a hit!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sydney, so glad you loved it!!
Megan Smith says
Honestly my favorite recipe yet! Turned out just how I was hoping and healthier than a lot of others. I made a half batch as a snack for 4 of us and it was perfect.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Megan, so happy it was a hit! ๐
Hannah says
So good for football Sundays!
★★★★★
Hannah says
★★★★★
Margaret says
Made this yesterday-wow! Thinking of using shrimp and or crab next time. Definitely a keeper recipe
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Margaret, so happy you loved it and great idea! ๐
Tonya D Belli says
I’m excited to try the recipe. Wondering if I can do it in the crockpot?
Erin says
Hi Tonya, yes! Just cook as instructed over low in your crockpot. Let me know how it comes out!!
Wendy says
Could you do this in the crock pot?
Erin says
Hi Wendy, yes! Just cook as instructed over low in your crockpot. Let me know how it comes out!!
Olivia says
Hey there!! Want to make this for the Super Bowl but any insights on making this dairy free? Thanks in advance!!
Erin says
Hi Olivia, you can use dairy free cream cheese and yogurt! Let me know how the dip comes out!
Lauren O says
OMG this was amazing!! Iโm always skeptical of healthier substitutes like using yogurt and lighter ingredients but this tastes just like a normal version!! Highly recommend ๐
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lauren, so happy you loved it!! ๐
Sam says
Do I use Franks hot sauce or franks Buffalo wing sauce for this recipe? My son wants some and Iโve never made it. Your recipe looks healthiest and I am just wondering! Thanks so much.
Erin says
Hi Sam, I use Frank Hot Sauce but you can use whatever one you prefer!! Either work! Let me know how it comes out! ๐
Jenny says
I made this with chicken breasts that I poached and shredded. I portioned it out to give to friends and froze 2 little dishes for us to enjoy later. They baked up nice, even from frozen. Thanks for a great recipe!
Erin says
Hi Jenny, so happy you loved it and such a great idea! ๐
Joe says
1 recipe says cream cheese the other part says cheddar cheese
Erin says
Hi Joe, you need both one 8oz package of cream cheese as well as 3/4 cup of cheddar cheese for topping. Hope that helps!!
Sharon says
I have not made this recipe yet, but I intend to. I am a major over thinker. Erin obvious is too. She literally answered every single question I could possibly have had, and then some, prior to attempting this recipe and I appreciate that so much. Feel empowered to make this this week!
Erin says
Hi Sharon, so happy you liked the recipe and let me know how yours comes out! Good luck! ๐
Jess says
I made this for Saturday college football games and it was a huge hit with my fiancรฉ!! Super simple to make and extremely tasty ๐
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jess, so happy everyone loved it!!
QC says
I made these for a friendsgiving this past weekend and everyone loved it! I used buffalo sauce instead of hot sauce to keep the spice level down. I will definitely be making this again. Super easy and delicious!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi, so happy it was a hit! ๐
Mariana says
This dip is SO good. Made it for a football game last year and my husband and I loved it so much we make it at least once a month now. Our favorite Erin recipe ๐
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Mariana, so happy you both loved it!! ๐
Madison says
My go to Buffalo chicken dip recipe! Love the lightened up feel with no difference in taste!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Madison, so happy you enjoyed it! ๐