Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

This Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe is a lightened-up version of the popular party favorite! It doesn’t skimp on flavor at all and is also gluten-free and keto so everyone can enjoy all of its deliciousness. Trust me, this creamy dip is going to make you the star of the party!

Over the last decade, I’ve become quite the party dip queen. It all started with this artichoke and spinach dip – it feels like I’ve made that dip recipe over 1000 times. Then this spicy sausage dip pushed its way to the front as one of my most requested dips for parties. 

I also love this easy taco dip, pizza dip, Greek dip, and this delicious Reuben dip! I told you, party dips are my thing! 

Out of all the dips I’ve shared over the years, I can’t believe I haven’t shared my healthy buffalo chicken dip recipe with you. Shame on me!

As you may or may not know I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. Ya know, the home of Buffalo chicken. Actually, I still live here. So, hot sauce and blue cheese runs through my veins. 

4 Reasons You’ll Love This Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

This Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip is a bowl-licking party favorite – I have to put this one first because anytime this dip is brought to a party the bowl is licked clean! 

Low carb, keto, and gluten-free – Serve this with veggies or low-carb crackers and you’ll have something for everyone.

Easy to prepare – You only need 5 simple ingredients for this recipe. And, If you can turn on the slow cooker, and stir ingredients, then you can make this. 

Can be made ahead of time – Just like my other cream cheese dip recipes this one gets better when made a day or 2 ahead of time. I’ll offer some make-ahead and reheating tips below.

Is Buffalo Chicken Dip Healthy?

To keep this Buffalo chicken dip recipe on the lighter side I use low-fat cream cheese, light sour cream, boneless skinless chicken breasts, ranch seasoning mix, and gorgonzola cheese. 

I prefer not to use fat-free ingredients because that changes the texture and flavor of the recipe.

When it comes to creamy party dips I don’t mess around too much with the cream cheese base, especially if I’m making this for a crowd. I’m comfortable with “healthier” tastes and textures but not everyone is. 

So, in my opinion, using the lighter versions of the full-fat ingredients works best to give the same consistency and taste while still lowering the fat and calories.

Also, to make a healthier version of buffalo chicken dip I always use high-quality ingredients like organic chicken. 

Last, I like to serve carrots or celery, along with the crackers and bread for my friends, to have low carb keto-friendly options.

Ingredient Notes

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – many recipes call for canned chicken but I think the best buffalo dip recipes are made with fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts.

Low-fat Cream Cheese – This is the base of the creamy buffalo chicken dip. I have used both full-fat and low-fat cream cheese in this recipe and nobody has ever known the difference.

Low-fat Sour cream – Again, I’ve used both full-fat and low-fat in this recipe and both have worked great. I’ve also used plain greek yogurt which also works fine. I prefer sour cream because I feel it’s creamier and not as tangy.

Ranch Seasoning Mix – as a true Buffalonian, using ranch dressing or seasoning in any Buffalo chicken-inspired recipe is a big no-no. Blue cheese is the only way to go! However, I’ve evolved and now accept that ranch goes well in many Buffalo inspired recipes. It gives great flavor without being overpowering like blue cheese can be.

Franks Hot Sauce – when it comes to buffalo dip or any buffalo chicken recipe the only hot sauce is Frank’s hot sauce. That gives the recipe that spicy Buffalo flavor you’re looking for when putting together Buffalo recipes. 

Gorgonzola (optional) – This recipe is great with just the ranch seasoning mix but if you want more of a blue cheese bite then I recommend using a small amount of crumbled gorgonzola cheese. 

You might be thinking, why not blue cheese? Personally, I think crumbled blue cheese is too strong – and this is coming from a blue cheese loving girl. ¼ cup of crumbled gorgonzola is all you need to give it a little blue cheese kick without it being overpowering.

Recipe Faqs & Substitutions

There are 3 different ways to make shredded chicken. Making the shredded chicken is the longest step to this buffalo chicken dip recipe – but it’s worth it. Regardless of the method used to cook the chicken, it can be done ahead of time.

Cook in the slow cooker – cook the chicken in chicken broth or water for 4-5 hours on low. Then remove the chicken from the liquid and shred.

Cook in the instant pot – check this recipe for easy instructions.

Boil the chicken on the stove – cook the chicken in boiling water for about 15 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked through. Then remove the chicken from the water and shred.

Shred the chicken using a hand or stand mixer. This is a tip I learned a few years ago and it comes in super handy with this healthy buffalo chicken dip. 

Using a hand or stand mixer to shred the chicken breasts results in a finely shredded chicken. This is the perfect consistency for buffalo chicken dip because it helps to blend all of the ingredients together so you chicken in every bite. 

Use a rotisserie chicken. If you want to keep this buffalo dip super easy then pick up a rotisserie chicken and shred it up. You’ll need about 3 – 4 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken.

Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip can be made in the crockpot or oven. Once you have the shredded chicken you can either mix all the ingredients together and stick the dip in the oven or into the crockpot. I’ll give instructions for both below. 

Can use cheddar cheese or other cheeses. If you opt to leave the gorgonzola out or just use a small amount you can also add in other cheeses like cheddar cheese, shredded provolone, mozzarella, or even pepper jack cheese. I’d suggest 1 – 1 ½ cups.

Bring the cream cheese to room temperature before putting the recipe together. this is another tip I’ve learned to make this dip come together faster. Having the cream cheese softened makes it easier to stir and blend together all of the ingredients.

How to Make Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip (Crockpot and oven instructions)

I’m going to give instructions to cook this healthy buffalo dip in the crockpot and oven.

Let’s start with the crockpot because that’s the method I use most often.

Crockpot instructions

Step 1: Start with making the shredded chicken. Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot with 1 cup of chicken broth and cook for 4-5 hours on low. After the chicken is completely cooked remove it from the crockpot and place it into a bowl. 

Use a hand mixer, or two forks, to shred the chicken into small pieces. Smaller pieces help to blend the chicken better into the rest of the ingredients. 

Cooking note: this step can be done ahead of time so the chicken is ready to use the day you are putting this recipe together.

Step 2: Remove the liquid from the crockpot insert and then add in the chicken, cream cheese, ranch seasoning mix, hot sauce, any other cheese you’re using.

Step 3: Stir together all of the ingredients until well combined. Place the lid on tightly and cook on low for 2-3 hours.

Step 4: Keep warm in the crockpot or transfer to a serving bowl.

Cooking note: One of the reasons I like making this dip in the crockpot is it stays warm. So after it’s done cooking just put it on the warm setting. If you bring this buffalo chicken dip to a party then I recommend bringing it in the slow cooker to keep warm. 

Oven instructions

Step 1: Set the oven to 350 degrees. Place the cream cheese and sour cream into a 8 x 8-inch baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until cream cheese softens. 

If you want to skip this step then bring the cream cheese up to room temperature. I like to cook the cream cheese first in all of my oven-baked cream cheese-based dip recipes. This makes it easier to blend in the rest of the ingredients.

Step 2: While the cream cheese is in the oven cook the chicken breasts in boiling water. When the chicken is completely cooked shred into small pieces. Again, this step can be done ahead of time.

Step 3: Mix the shredded chicken, hot sauce, and ranch seasoning in with the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Stir in the gorgonzola, or any other cheese you’re using, at this time.

Step 4: Place back into a 350-degree oven and bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve with crackers, pitas, or veggies of your choice.

What to serve with healthy buffalo chicken dip?

This buffalo chicken dip goes great with everything! Literally, everything. 

Here are our favorites to serve with it:

Rice crackers – I just discovered rice crackers this year – this is a brand I like.

Pita chips – We are obsessed with Stacey’s pita chips in our house. These chips go great with all of my dip recipes.

Pretzels – I love Snyder’s gluten-free pretzels.

Veggies – carrots, celery, cucumbers, and peppers work great with this dip. Basically, anything hearty and dippable.

Other ways to enjoy Buffalo chicken dip

If you have leftover over healthy buffalo chicken dip then here are some other ways to eat it:

In a wrap – spread a quarter cup of buffalo chicken dip on a wrap, fill it with veggies, and roll it up.

In a lettuce cup – If you want to keep it keto or low carb then use a lettuce cup instead of a wrap.

In a zucchini boat – here’s another low-carb idea for you! Cut a zucchini in half and scoop out the insides. Then fill it with leftover healthy buffalo chicken dip. Sprinkle some mozzarella cheese on top and bake for 20 – 25 minutes in a 350-degree oven. Yum!

Supplies to make Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

6- quart Slow Cooker – this is the size I have and use for all of my slow cooker recipes. I have the Hamilton Beach 6-quart slow cooker.

3-quart Slow Cooker – this size is great to use for party dips

Hand Mixer – this is great to use for making shredded chicken. I have this one by Cuisinart.

8-inch baking dish – I love this ceramic baking dish.

Make-ahead tips

Cook the chicken ahead of time. Like I said, cooking the chicken is the longest step of this recipe. So, making it ahead of time will save you time (and a mess) on the day you’re planning to make this healthy buffalo chicken dip.

After you cook and shred the chicken store it in a container in the refrigerator. Shredded chicken can also be frozen. I suggest freezing into recipe-ready portions so it is easier to prepare when it’s time to make the buffalo chicken dip.

Assemble all of the ingredients ahead of time – You can assemble this recipe a day or 2 ahead of time and then just stick it in the oven when you’re ready to cook it.

Completely cook the healthy buffalo chicken dip ahead of time – On the day you’re going to serve the dip warm it up in a 350-degree oven for 20 – 25 minutes. I recommend covering the dip with foil before warming it up to keep the top from browning too much.

Other Healthy Buffalo Chicken Recipes

Slow Cooker Buffalo Shredded Chicken

Buffalo Chicken Soup

Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese

Buffalo Chicken Meatloaf

Buffalo Chicken Chili