This Buffalo Chicken Dip with a Cheesy Ranch Twist is a game-day favorite that brings a tangy kick to your snack table. It's the perfect blend of creamy, spicy, and cheesy, destined to become the star of your next gathering.
Shredded rotisserie chicken is the backbone of the dish, providing a tender, flavorful base. Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds a depth of flavor that's hard to beat.
Ranch dressing adds a creamy tanginess that complements the heat of the buffalo sauce. It's the secret weapon that balances the spice and ensures every bite is smooth and savory.
Buffalo wing sauce is where the heat comes in. It gives the dip its signature spicy kick, so choose your favorite brand or adjust the amount to suit your taste.
Cream cheese, when softened, blends seamlessly into the dip, adding a rich creaminess that mellows out the spice and helps everything meld together.
Cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese provide that irresistible cheesy goodness. The cheddar brings a sharpness, while the mozzarella offers a gooey, melty texture.
Green onions add a pop of color and a mild onion flavor that lifts the entire dish.
Garlic powder and onion powder enhance the savory profile, giving extra depth without overpowering the main ingredients.
Black pepper adds a subtle heat and rounds out the flavors.
Unsalted butter is used to melt and blend the sauces, ensuring a smooth, cohesive texture.
This dip pairs beautifully with tortilla chips for a classic choice, but don't hesitate to try it with crunchy vegetable sticks like celery or carrots. For a more substantial option, serve it with toasted baguette slices. It's also fantastic as a filling for quesadillas or wraps!
First things first, get your oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). While that's warming up, grab a medium saucepan and melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, pour in your buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing, stirring until they're well combined into a smooth, velvety mixture.
Next, add your softened cream cheese to the saucepan. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has melted completely and the sauce is creamy. This might take a few minutes, but it's worth ensuring everything is nicely mixed.
In a large mixing bowl, toss in the shredded rotisserie chicken. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, making sure each piece gets a good coating. Use a spatula to mix in the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until everything is evenly distributed.
Transfer this delightful mixture into an oven-safe baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Pop it into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the top is a lovely golden brown.
Once baked, take the dish out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. This is the perfect time to sprinkle the chopped green onions on top for a fresh finish. Serve it warm with your choice of dippers, and watch it disappear!