Save My slow cooker sat gathering dust until a friend canceled on bringing an appetizer to our playoff party with only two hours notice. I threw together what I had in the fridge, cream cheese, leftover rotisserie chicken, and a bottle of buffalo sauce, hoping for the best. The smell that filled my kitchen as it bubbled away was so good I kept lifting the lid to check it. By halftime, the bowl was scraped clean and three people had texted me for the recipe before they even left.
I made this for my sister's baby shower, worried it might be too spicy for the crowd, but I watched a grandmother in a floral cardigan go back four times. She told me she hadnt had buffalo chicken since her son took her to a sports bar in the nineties. There is something about the smell of melted cheese and hot sauce that cuts through any occasion and just makes people happy. I have brought it to birthday parties, book clubs, and once to a very quiet office potluck that suddenly became much louder.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese, softened and cubed: This is your creamy base, and softening it first means no lumps and smooth blending without overworking your spoon.
- Sour cream: It adds a subtle tang that keeps the dip from feeling too heavy, I learned this after making a batch without it that tasted flat.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar brings a deeper flavor, but mild works if you are serving kids or anyone sensitive to strong cheese.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: This gives you that gooey stretch when you scoop, the visual everyone loves.
- Cooked chicken breast, shredded: Rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver here, it is juicy, pre-seasoned, and saves you from poaching or grilling.
- Buffalo wing sauce: The soul of the dip, use your favorite brand but taste it first because some are much hotter than others.
- Ranch dressing: It cools and balances the buffalo heat, and adds a familiar creamy flavor people recognize immediately.
- Chopped scallions: A fresh green pop on top makes it look intentional and less like a bubbling cheese puddle.
- Extra shredded cheese, for topping: Because more melted cheese on top of melted cheese is never wrong.
Instructions
- Combine everything in the slow cooker:
- Toss the cream cheese, sour cream, both cheeses, shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing into your slow cooker bowl. It will look like a chaotic pile, but trust the process.
- Stir it all together:
- Mix everything until it is roughly combined, you do not need perfection here because the heat will do the rest. Just make sure the chicken is coated and the cream cheese is broken up a bit.
- Cook low and slow:
- Cover and set it to low for 2 hours, stirring once at the halfway mark to help the cheeses melt evenly. The gentle heat keeps it from separating or getting grainy.
- Final stir and garnish:
- When everything is melted and bubbling, give it one last good stir to make it silky. Sprinkle extra cheese and scallions on top if you want it to look like you tried.
- Serve warm:
- Set out tortilla chips, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or crackers and let people dive in. Keep the slow cooker on warm if the party is going long.
Save The first time I brought this to a gathering, my friend who claims she does not like spicy food ate half the bowl with a pile of celery sticks and declared it did not count because vegetables. We laughed so hard we had to pause the movie. Now she requests it every time we get together, and I have started keeping the ingredients stocked because it has become our thing.
Make It Your Own
If you want more heat, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce or up the buffalo sauce to three quarters of a cup. I have also swapped ranch for blue cheese dressing when I am feeling bold, it gives the dip a sharper, more classic buffalo wing flavor. One friend stirs in a handful of crumbled blue cheese at the end for texture, and honestly, it is genius.
Storing and Reheating
Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days, though I have never had it last that long. Reheat gently in the microwave or back in the slow cooker on low, adding a splash of milk or ranch if it has thickened up too much. It also freezes surprisingly well for up to a month, just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
This dip shines with sturdy tortilla chips that can handle the weight, but I have also served it with toasted baguette slices, pretzel bites, and even spooned over baked potatoes for a weird but wonderful dinner. Celery and carrot sticks are classic for a reason, they add crunch and cut through the richness.
- Set out a variety of dippers so everyone finds something they love.
- Keep napkins nearby because this gets messy in the best way.
- If the party runs long, just leave the slow cooker on warm and let people graze.
Save This dip has saved me more times than I can count, and it always feels like I put in way more effort than I did. Make it once and it will become your go to for every gathering.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I use frozen chicken for this dip?
It's best to use fully cooked chicken that's already shredded. Rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves preparation time. If using frozen chicken, thaw and cook it completely before adding to the slow cooker.
- → How do I prevent the cheese from separating?
Make sure the cream cheese is softened and cubed before adding. Stir the dip halfway through cooking to ensure even melting. Cooking on low heat rather than high helps maintain a smooth, creamy consistency.
- → Can I make this dip ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare all ingredients and refrigerate them in the slow cooker insert overnight. The next day, simply place it in the base and cook as directed. Reheat leftovers gently on low heat or in the microwave.
- → What can I substitute for ranch dressing?
Blue cheese dressing is a classic alternative that pairs beautifully with buffalo flavors. You can also use Greek yogurt for a lighter option or simply add extra sour cream for a tangy creaminess.
- → How can I adjust the spice level?
Control the heat by adjusting the amount of buffalo sauce. Use less for a milder dip or add extra hot sauce for more kick. You can also balance spiciness by increasing the ranch dressing or sour cream.
- → What are the best serving options for this dip?
Serve with tortilla chips, pita chips, crackers, celery sticks, or carrot sticks. Toasted baguette slices also work wonderfully. For a fun twist, use it as a topping for loaded nachos or baked potatoes.