There’s something magical about a hot, cheesy dip that makes a room feel like a party. This Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip is exactly that kind of magic, a creamy, spicy hug in a bowl.
It’s the culinary equivalent of your favorite cozy sweater, but with a little kick that keeps things interesting.
Why This Dip Steals the Show
Beyond its incredible flavor, this recipe is a masterclass in easy entertaining. Your slow cooker is the true star here, doing all the heavy lifting while you’re free to do, well, anything else.
You just toss a handful of simple ingredients into the pot, give it a stir, and walk away. No pre-cooking chicken, no messy stovetop splatter, and best of all, only one dish to clean.
Ingredients Needed for the Recipe
Gathering your ingredients is the hardest part, and even that’s a breeze. Each one plays a specific role in creating that perfect, addictive balance.
Canned Chunk Chicken Breast (12.5 oz): The convenient, time-saving base that provides hearty, shred-ready protein. It’s a pantry superstar for this dip.
Cream Cheese (8 oz), softened: This is the lush, creamy foundation that cools the spice and makes the dip luxuriously scoopable. Room temperature is key for smooth blending.
Finely Shredded Colby Jack Cheese (4 oz): It melts into glorious, stringy pockets, adding a mild, tangy cheesiness that binds everything together beautifully.
Buffalo Wing Sauce (1/2 cup): The soul of the dish, delivering that classic, vinegary buffalo heat. This is not plain hot sauce—wing sauce has the right flavor profile.
Ranch Dressing (1/2 cup): The cooling counterpart to the buffalo sauce, adding a herby, creamy dimension that makes the flavor truly sing.
How to make Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip?
The process is almost laughably simple, but a couple of small details ensure a perfectly creamy, lump-free result every single time.
Make this recipe yours—just save it to your Pinterest board!"
Step 1 - The Simple Dump
First, drain that can of chicken well. Then, literally just add it, along with all the other ingredients, directly into your slow cooker insert.
No separate bowls are needed here, we’re keeping the cleanup to an absolute, beautiful minimum.
Step 2 - Stir and Slow Cook
Now, take a sturdy spoon and stir everything together until it’s fairly well combined. Don’t worry if a few small lumps of cream cheese remain.
They’ll melt away into the mixture as it heats. Place the lid on, set it to LOW, and let the magic happen.
Step 3 - Patience and a Final Stir
This is the hardest part: waiting. For a 3-quart pot, plan on 1.5 to 2 hours. A larger 6-quart pot will heat it through in about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Give it a good, thorough stir about halfway through to encourage even melting and creaminess. You’ll know it’s done when it’s bubbling gently at the edges and perfectly hot.
The Art of Dipping
Presentation is part of the fun. Switching your slow cooker to the "warm" setting lets this dip live on your counter all afternoon, staying at the ideal temperature for grazing.
Offer a variety of dippers to please every palate and add different textures to the experience.
Classic Crunch: Sturdy tortilla chips or ridged potato chips are essential for serious scooping.
Fresh Contrast: Crisp celery sticks, carrot chips, and cool cucumber slices cut through the richness wonderfully.
Unexpected Vessels: Try it with mini sweet pepper halves, sturdy seed crackers, or even thick slices of toasted baguette for a change.
Tips
A few insider tricks can take your dip from great to absolutely legendary. They’re all about maximizing flavor and convenience.
For the smoothest integration, let your cream cheese sit on the counter for an hour before you start. Soft cream cheese blends seamlessly into the sauce.
Feel free to make it ahead. Combine everything in the crock stoneware, cover, and refrigerate for up to two days before cooking. Just add about 30 extra minutes to the heating time.
To adjust the heat, simply tweak your sauce. Use a mild buffalo sauce for a gentle kick, or add extra sauce, a dash of cayenne, or red pepper flakes to turn up the fire.
Giving Leftovers a Second Act
If you somehow have leftovers, congratulations, you’ve hit the jackpot. This dip is incredibly versatile and shines in a whole new lineup of meals.
Think beyond the chip. A scoop transforms a baked potato into a decadent treat. It makes an incredible filling for a quesadilla or a grilled cheese sandwich.
You can even use it as a killer topping for nachos, spreading it over chips with a little extra cheese and baking until everything is gloriously melted together. It’s a secret weapon against boring lunches.
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip is the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer—spicy, creamy, and made with just 5 simple ingredients. Perfect for game day, potlucks, or family gatherings, this hot dip requires zero prep work and cooks itself in the slow cooker. Serve it with chips, veggies, or crackers for an irresistible snack that disappears fast!
ingredients
12.5oz canned chunk chicken breast (drained, Swanson brand recommended)
8oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
4oz finely shredded Colby Jack cheese
1/2cup Buffalo wing sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s or Frank’s recommended; add more for extra heat)
1/2cup ranch dressing (Ken’s or your favorite brand)
Instructions
1
Add the drained chicken, softened cream cheese, shredded Colby Jack cheese, buffalo wing sauce, and ranch dressing into a 3-quart or 6-quart slow cooker.
2
Stir all ingredients together until well combined.
3
Cover and cook on LOW for 1 to 1.5 hours if using a 6-quart crock pot, or 1.5 to 2 hours in a 3-quart crock pot, stirring occasionally.
4
Once hot and creamy, switch the slow cooker to WARM setting and serve with your favorite dippers.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories285kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat21g33%
Saturated Fat10g50%
Cholesterol70mg24%
Sodium680mg29%
Potassium220mg7%
Total Carbohydrate4g2%
Sugars2g
Protein19g38%
Calcium 15 mg
Iron 4 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Make ahead: Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker insert up to 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. When ready to cook, place insert into base and cook an extra 30 minutes on LOW.
Storage: Store leftovers in a glass container (wing sauce may stain plastic) for up to 4 days. Reheat in microwave or slow cooker.
Repurpose leftovers: Use in wraps, sandwiches, baked potatoes, nachos, or quesadillas!
Heat level: Use mild buffalo sauce for less spice or add red pepper flakes for more kick.
Keywords:
buffalo chicken dip, crock pot dip, slow cooker dip, spicy dip, party dip, easy appetizer, game day food