Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip

Are you looking for the best party dip? I got you, this how to make Frank’s Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip at home. Cheesy, spicy and so comforting, everyone will love your hot chicken dip!

Grab some nachos or crackers and get ready for a memorable dip experience with this simple recipe!

The story behind this Buffalo chicken dip

As a good European, I love anything that is American. Yes, I’m not the typical Italian, I don’t even like pasta. I am a huge fan of American food instead, especially if hamburgers, Buffalo chicken wings and spicy Tex Mex dishes are involved.

That’s why, whenever I hope off the plane and touch the American soil, the first thing I do is dining at good American restaurant. Or visiting a grocery store – preferably Trader Joe’s, thanks. That is exactly what happened last March, when my girlfriend and I left our jet lag behind as we walked into that Chicagoan Trader Joes’s.

Well…It turned into a daily habit. From granola to coffee, we loved everything there. Most of all, we got hooked on dips. Oh, and on crunchy pita chips to dip in the dips!

Starting with Elote, we moved to caramelized onion dip before ending with Buffalo chicken dip. Oh Lord, how good was that Buffalo dip. So good that I decided to haunt for more similar products, as long as in the States. That’s how I ended up trying Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Chicken Dip. It was SO GOOD that I had to make my own.

What’s in Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip?

Five simple ingredients are all you need to whip up a rich dip that will get your taste dancing. Chicken, hot sauce, cream cheese, ranch dressing and blue cheese. That’s it! Read further for more details and tips. All substitute options will follow, just head over to the next section.

Without further ado, here’s everything this recipe calls for. 

• Shredded chicken: This party dip can be made with either chicken breast, rotisserie chicken, or canned chicken. While the last two options are more flavorsome and convenient, home cooked chicken breast is healthier: more natural and lower in sodium.
• Cream cheese: I recommend full-fat cream cheese because it comes with a richer taste and creamier texture.
• Hot sauce: As tradition wants, this recipe uses Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce.
• Ranch dressing: Garlicky and with plenty of herbs, the addition of ranch dressing enhances both taste and texture. You can use store-bought ranch dressing or make it at home.
• Blue cheese: Salty and slightly piquant, this ingredient adds a unique flavor to the chicken dip. The term “blue cheese” refers to a class of cheeses with similar features, so pick and choose the one you prefer. Gorgonzola is a good pick! 

Replacement options

Whether you’re not a fan of blue cheese or whether the Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce is missing, here is how to replace the main ingredients in this Buffalo chicken dip recipe.

• Instead of cooking chicken breast at home, choose canned chicken or rotisserie chicken breast. Besides being so convenient, they tend to be more flavorsome – especially if it comes from the rotisserie!
• Full-fat cream cheese can be substituted with low fat alternatives, but your hot sauce dip won’t be as creamy and delicious. Choose plant based cream cheese for a dairy-free recipe.
• Replace Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce with Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce or homemade hot sauce.
• Yogurt based dressings with plenty of herbs and seasonings are a great – healthier – alternative to ranch dressing.
• If you don’t like blue cheese, replace with crumbles of feta cheese. I know it’s not exactly the same, but it works really well (I always use feta cheese, I’m not a fan of blue cheese).

How to make Frank’s Buffalo Chicken Dip at home

First of all, prepare the chicken. Cook the skinless and boneless chicken breast, then shred. If you are using canned meat or rotisserie chicken, skip the cooking and jump straight to shredding.

Once the poultry is ready, it’s time to mix together cheese and hot sauce. In a large bowl, gather the softened cream cheese, the Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce and the ranch dressing. Whisk all the ingredients until they are smoothly combined. Add the shredded chicken breast, the crumbled blue cheese and mix very well.

Transfer the chicken mixture to a shallow 1-quart baking dish and bake in hot oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 20 minutes. Serve as a dip, sprinkled with more crumbles of blue cheese and green onions if you desire.

How to store homemade chicken dip

Homemade Frank’s Buffalo Chicken Dip tastes better if it served right after making. This being said, you can also store any leftover in the fridge or freezer.

First of all, let your Buffalo chicken dip cool completely at room temperature, then place into an airtight container and refrigerate for a maximum of four days. Before serving, remove from the refrigerator, give it a quick stir and reheat for a couple of minutes until warm and cheesy once again.

For a longer storage, you can freeze it. Once it has cooled, scoop the spicy chicken dip into a freezer-safe container, seal tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to serve, allow the frozen dip to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

What to dip in Frank’s Buffalo Chicken Dip?

For your next party or as a comforting snack, this hot dipping sauce comes in very handy in many occasions. And if you are still not sure what to dip in, here are some tasty ideas for you.

• Nachos or tortilla chips: Irresistibly crunchy, tortilla chips are perfect with a creamy chicken dip.
• Crackers: Crackers are a great side for homemade Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip. Chef tip, try cheese crackers, they are the best!
• Pretzels: Salty and addictively crunchy, pretzels are ideal for homemade Frank’s Buffalo chicken dip.
• Bread or breadsticks: Slices of garlicky baguette and toasted bread are great for scooping up your Buffalo dip. 
• Pita chips: These are my favorite. Already addictive by themselves, pita chips are even better dipped in this creamy chicken dip.
• Carrots and celery sticks: Crunchy sticks of vegetables will add a fresh twist and plenty of nutrients. Perfect for a low calorie alternative to crackers and chips!

More healthy snacks and appetizers

• Greek yogurt Buffalo chicken dip
• Zucchini fries
• Chicken nuggets
• Low calorie chicken tenders
• Simple zucchini fritters
• Healthy copycat KFC popcorn chicken
• Air fryer tater tots
• Low calorie French fries
• Protein pizza recipe