The first time I discovered the wonder of adding bacon to my buffalo chicken dip, it will never fade. My friends assigned me to bring my regular creamy, fiery Buffalo Chicken Dip to a potluck. Nothing remarkable. I saw some leftover bacon from breakfast lying on the counter while I was cleaning up. “Why not?” I asked myself. I chopped it and garnished the top of the dish. As a result, everyone was blown away! The crispy, smoky bacon added a new layer of taste to a previously adored meal. Though I have never looked back, it was an unintentional find. Our Buffalo Chicken Dip with Bacon is now a mainstay at every party.
Jump to RecipeHow to Make Creamy, Spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip with Bacon
Course: AppetizersCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings10
minutes20
minutes350
kcalTo make this delicious and addictive dip, gather the following ingredients:
Ingredients
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works well)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup sour cream
½ cup ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing if you prefer)
½ cup buffalo wing sauce (adjust heat to your liking)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (crispy bacon adds the best flavor)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
¼ cup green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Tortilla chips, celery sticks, or crackers for serving
Directions
- Turn your oven to 350°F (175°C). This stage guarantees that your dip will cook uniformly and produce the melted, bubbling cheese top everyone adores.
- Smooth the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing in a large bowl. Add the onion powder, garlic powder, and buffalo wing sauce. Make sure everything is well blended to produce a rich, creamy base.
- Fold among shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and crumbled bacon. Save some bacon crumbs to sprinkle over the top for later use. The concoction ought to be thick and creamy with lots of cheesy flavor.
- Arrange the mixture evenly on a baking sheet. For a crispy, smokey finish, top with the leftover bacon crumbs. Bake until the cheese melts completely and the dip bubbles around the edges. 20 minutes.
- Once the dip is out of the oven, sprinkle chopped green onions for more color and freshness. Serve the dip immediately with tortilla chips, celery sticks, or crackers.
Notes
- Before adding your bacon to the dip, ensure it is incredibly crispy for optimal taste. While crispy bacon lends the ideal crunchy texture, soft bacon might make the dip oily.
- Using more or less buffalo sauce will help quickly change the spiciness. For extra heat, add some cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds a fantastic taste to the dip. Any leftover cooked chicken you have on hand will also be good.
- This dip is flavorful and has the ideal amount of cheese from the combination of mozzarella and cheddar. You could also play with various cheeses, like Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a little extra spice.
- This dip is kept well in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to present, toss it in the oven and bake as directed.
Nutrition Facts
350
Calories
24g
Fat
5g
Carbs
14g
Protein
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving of Buffalo Chicken Dip with Bacon (1 serving)
Calories | 350 |
---|---|
Total Fat 24g | 31% |
Saturated Fat 9g | 45% |
Cholesterol 65mg | 22% |
Sodium 800mg | 33% |
Total Carbohydrate 5g | 2% |
Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
Total Sugars 2g | |
Protein 14g | |
Calcium 150mg | 12% |
Iron 1mg | 6% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Why This Buffalo Chicken Dip with Bacon Stands Out
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes to make it last minute, or prep ahead for a stress-free appetizer.
- Crispy Bacon Goodness: The smokiness of that perfect bacon adds a new dimension to your standard buffalo chicken dip.
- Creamy and Spicy: A creamy blend of cream cheese, ranch dressing, and buffalo sauce completes this flavorful, well-balanced dip with just the right amount of heat.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Gameday, potluck, or family get-together, this dip is ideal for all.
For those looking to experiment further, check out 15 Tasty Ways to Use Leftover Buffalo Chicken Dip on The Happier Homemaker. You’ll find fun twists like stuffed bread bowls and bite-sized versions to elevate your dip game!
What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Dip with Bacon
The rich creaminess of this dip is perfect for lots of crunchy dippers. Here are some options:
- Tortilla Chips: Your classic vessel for scooping this cheesy goodness.
- Crackers: Ritz is the same but brings in a buttery, crunchy bite.
- Vegetables: The cool crudites — celery sticks, carrots, and cucumber- help cut through this dip’s intense ‘spiciness.’
- Pita Bread: For a heartier bite, use toasted pita wedges instead.
If you’re looking for a lighter version of this crowd favorite, Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip by Erin Lives Whole offers a low-fat, high-protein alternative without compromising flavor.
Fun Variations to Try
If you’re feeling adventurous, here are some fun ways to customize this dip:
- Bacon Jalapeño Buffalo Dip: Add chopped jalapeños for a spicy, crunchy kick.
- Extra Cheesy Dip: Add more cheese for a cheesy version, or sprinkle some extra cheese halfway through baking.
- Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Dip: Swap out the buffalo sauce for more ranch dressing if you prefer a milder flavor with more ranch kick.
- Low-Carb Version: Serve the dip with celery sticks, cucumber slices, or bell pepper strips instead of chips for a low-carb option.
For those who love making everything from scratch, learn how to prepare your buffalo sauce with Homemade Buffalo Sauce by Love & Lemons. It’s the perfect addition to any buffalo chicken dish.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: You can store this dip in the freezer for up to a month. Refrigerate it for the entire night before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm the dip in the microwave in 30-second intervals until hot, or place it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until it’s bubbly and ready to eat.
Conclusion
Including crispy bacon in a classic Buffalo Chicken Dip adds much more. This dip is the best crowd-pleaser because the smoky bacon complements the spicy buffalo sauce and creamy cheese. Every time—game day, a potluck, or just a laid-back get-together—this Buffalo Chicken Dip with Bacon will take center stage. Once you start it, you won’t return to the original—trust me!
FAQs
Can I make this dip ahead of time?
You may make the dip and keep it in the refrigerator until you can bake it. You should bake it for a few more minutes if you refrigerate it.
How do I keep the bacon crispy in the dip?
Cook your bacon until crispy before crumbling it into the dip to guarantee it stays that way. Save some bacon for topping baked goods.
Can I make this dip spicier?
Indeed! You may increase the heat for a blazing kick by adding extra buffalo sauce or chopped jalapeños.
Is this dip keto-friendly?
Indeed! If you’re on a ketogenic diet, serve the dip with low-carb dippers like bell peppers, cucumber slices, or celery.
Can I use blue cheese instead of ranch?
Of course! The blue cheese adds a more authentic buffalo wing flavor to the dip if you like the sharp taste of blue cheese dressing.
For more Buffalo Chicken Dip variations, check out our Best Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip in 30 Minutes!