Disclaimer: Our editors have used AI to create or enhance parts of this article and some images. All content has been fact-checked by our team to ensure accuracy.
Looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that won’t keep you stuck in the kitchen all day? We’ve all been there – trying to juggle party prep while making sure we have something tasty to serve our guests. Between coordinating timing and dealing with complicated recipes, hosting can sometimes feel overwhelming.
That’s where this buffalo chicken dip with canned chicken comes to the rescue: it’s quick to throw together, uses simple pantry ingredients you probably already have, and always gets people asking for the recipe at every gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Quick and convenient – Using canned chicken means you can skip the cooking and shredding steps, making this dip ready for the oven in just 10 minutes of prep time.
- Perfect party food – This crowd-pleasing dip is always the first to disappear at gatherings – it’s cheesy, spicy, and perfect for game day or any celebration.
- Budget-friendly – With simple pantry ingredients like canned chicken and common cheeses, you can make a generous amount of dip without spending a lot.
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prepare this dip in advance and just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve, making entertaining stress-free.
What Kind of Canned Chicken Should I Use?
When it comes to canned chicken for your buffalo dip, you’ll want to look for premium chunk white meat chicken rather than regular canned chicken. The chunk style gives you nice, meaty pieces that hold up well in the dip, while brands labeled as “premium” typically have better quality meat and less water content. Most major brands like Kirkland, Swanson, or Valley Fresh work great – just be sure to drain the chicken well before using. If you can’t find chunk style, you can use regular canned chicken breast, but avoid any varieties that come pre-seasoned or flavored since you’ll be adding your own seasonings to the dip.

Options for Substitutions
This easy buffalo chicken dip is pretty adaptable – here’s what you can swap out if needed:
- Canned chicken: You can easily substitute canned chicken with 3 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked, shredded chicken breast. Just make sure it’s well-drained to avoid a runny dip.
- Frank’s Red Hot Sauce: While Frank’s gives that classic buffalo flavor, you can use other hot sauces like Texas Pete or Crystal. Just avoid super spicy ones like Tabasco as they might overpower the dip. For a milder version, start with 1/2 cup and adjust to taste.
- Cream cheese: For a lighter version, try using Neufchatel cheese (1/3 less fat cream cheese) or Greek yogurt cream cheese. The texture might be slightly different but still tasty!
- Ranch dressing: Blue cheese dressing works great instead of ranch. Or make it lighter with Greek yogurt mixed with ranch seasoning.
- Blue cheese: Not a fan of blue cheese? Just leave it out or replace it with extra cheddar. Gorgonzola is also a good swap if you like its milder taste.
- Cheddar cheese: Feel free to use Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican cheese blend instead. Mozzarella works too, though it might make the dip a bit stringier.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making buffalo chicken dip is not draining the canned chicken thoroughly, which can lead to a watery dip that won’t hold together – make sure to drain and shred the chicken well with two forks before mixing it with other ingredients.
Temperature control is crucial: adding cold cream cheese straight from the fridge will create lumps, so let it soften at room temperature for at least an hour, or microwave in 15-second intervals until it’s completely soft and smooth.
When it comes to the hot sauce, resist the urge to add extra right away – it’s better to start with the recommended amount and add more after tasting, since the heat level intensifies as the dip warms up.
For the creamiest results, layer your ingredients rather than mixing them all at once, and stir occasionally while baking to ensure even heating and prevent the cheese from becoming rubbery or separating.

What to Serve With Buffalo Chicken Dip?
This creamy, spicy dip pairs perfectly with a variety of dippers that can handle its bold flavors. Celery and carrot sticks are classic choices that add a fresh crunch while keeping things traditional (just like you’d get with buffalo wings!). For the carb lovers, tortilla chips, thick-cut potato chips, or toasted baguette slices make excellent scooping vessels. If you’re feeding a crowd, try setting out a mix of crackers, pretzels, and raw veggies so everyone can pick their favorite way to dig in. You can even serve this dip alongside some ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for those who want to cool things down a bit.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Got leftovers? Lucky you! Pop your buffalo chicken dip into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually get even better after a day or two as everything mingles together.
Freeze: This dip is totally freezer-friendly! Transfer it to a freezer-safe container and it’ll keep for up to 3 months. Just remember that the texture might be a tiny bit different after thawing, but it’ll still taste great.
Warm Up: When you’re ready to dig in again, heat the dip in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until it’s nice and hot. For bigger portions, pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes. Give it a good stir before serving to make sure everything’s evenly heated.
Make Ahead: Need to prep for a party? You can make this dip a day ahead and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just heat it up and it’ll taste just as good as freshly made. It’s such a time-saver for game day!
Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
Cooking Time | 30 minutes |
Total Time | 40-45 minutes |
Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2200-2400
- Protein: 150-160 g
- Fat: 150-160 g
- Carbohydrates: 30-40 g
Ingredients
- 2 cans (12.5 ounces each) premium chunk white chicken
- 3/4 cup frank’s red hot sauce
- 16 ounces of softened cream cheese (two 8-ounce packages)
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Chicken
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
While the oven is heating up, drain the liquid from a can of chicken and add the chicken to a bowl.
Use a fork to shred the chicken into smaller pieces.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
To the bowl with the shredded chicken, add hot sauce, cream cheese, ranch dressing, 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and blue cheese crumbles.
Stir all the ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined, forming a cohesive mixture.
Step 3: Assemble the Dip
Transfer the chicken mixture into an 8×8 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Then, sprinkle the remaining 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the mixture, ensuring it is well distributed for a cheesy, golden topping.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
The dip should be bubby and the cheese on top should begin to brown slightly.
Once done, remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving to ensure it’s not too hot to enjoy.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the chicken dip warm with your choice of dippers such as tortilla chips, celery sticks, or crackers.
This rich and creamy dip is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering or a delightful snack for your game day menu.