This cold Buffalo chicken dip is a creamy, tangy, and flavor-packed appetizer that’s perfect for game day, potlucks, or any party. It’s a chilled take on the classic hot dip—just as bold and delicious, but served cold and ready straight from the fridge.
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This chilled appetizer is easy to make ahead, saving you time for what really matters—having fun with your guests. Simple, delicious, and always a crowd favorite!
What’s great about this recipe
- Quick and easy: Made with simple ingredients and easy steps, this dip comes together fast with minimal effort.
- Make-ahead convenience: Since it’s served cold, you can prep this Buffalo chicken dip in advance. It’s a low-stress option that frees you up on party day.
- Perfect for any occasion: Great for game day, parties, or just an afternoon snack—this cold Buffalo chicken dip is always a crowd-pleaser.
- Bold, zesty flavor: Creamy, tangy, and loaded with Buffalo sauce, this dip delivers big flavor in every bite—perfect for satisfying snack cravings.
Ingredients
🍗 Chicken: Cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, shredded and roughly chopped. You’ll need 12 ounces, which is about 3 cups. Use leftover chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time—both work perfectly in this cold Buffalo chicken dip.
🧀 Dairy: Cream cheese adds creaminess and tang to the dip. Use regular or reduced-fat cream cheese, depending on your preference—both work well in this recipe. Sour cream adds richness and balances the heat. Use regular or light sour cream based on your taste.
🌶️ Hot Sauce: Buffalo-style cayenne pepper hot sauce (vinegar-based) is key to the classic flavor. Multiple brands are widely available—choose your favorite.
🧂 Seasonings: A mix of salt, garlic powder, and onion powder enhances the flavor. Add a dash of cayenne pepper for extra heat or leave it out for a milder dip.
🌿 Optional garnishes (not pictured above): Top the dip with parsley, chopped chives, green onions, or crumbled blue cheese for added flavor.
🥨 Suggested Dippers (not pictured above): This is a hearty dip, so use sturdy dippers for the best results. Here are our favorite options:
- Vegetables: Celery sticks, or carrot sticks for a fresh, crunchy option.
- Crackers: Saltines, Club, or Ritz are all great choices.
- Pretzels: Mini pretzels or pretzel sticks work well for dipping.
- Chips: Sturdy chips like kettle-cooked varieties hold up well with this dip.
📖See the recipe card for quantities and preparation.
How to make cold Buffalo chicken dip
- Add the shredded chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cayenne pepper to a saucepan. Place over low heat and stir continuously for about 5 minutes, or until the cream cheese melts and the ingredients are fully combined. Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
- Transfer the chicken mixture to a bowl or container. Stir in the sour cream until well blended. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, stir the dip to loosen it. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with parsley, green onions, or crumbled blue cheese. Serve with chips, veggies, pretzels, crackers, or your favorite dippers. Include a spoon or knife for easy spreading.
Storing instructions
Keep chilled until ready to serve. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and do not leave them out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F). If handled properly, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Freezing is not recommended, as it can change the texture and consistency of the dip. For more information on food storage and safety guidelines, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture and foodsafety.gov.
Substitutions and variations
- Use low-fat options: You can use reduced-fat cream cheese and light sour cream to make this dip a little lighter. The flavor will still be great, though the texture may be slightly less rich.
- Swap the chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken works great here, but canned chicken (drained and flaked) or leftover roasted chicken are quick alternatives.
- Adjust the heat: Leave out the cayenne for a milder dip or increase it if you want more kick. You can also stir in a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce just before serving.
- Try a ranch-style version: Replace the sour cream with ranch dressing for a cool, tangy twist on classic Buffalo flavor.
- Make it chunkier or smoother: Chop the chicken finer for a smoother dip or leave it chunkier for more texture—it’s up to you!
Recipe tips and notes
Need to cook chicken fast? Poaching is a quick, reliable method that yields tender, flavorful results. Check out our poached chicken recipe for step-by-step instructions.
Hot sauce matters: We love using Crystal brand hot sauce—it’s mild with a nice tang. Use your favorite cayenne pepper vinegar-based hot sauce to match your preferred heat level.
Serving: This dip is thick and hearty, so it’s best served with a spoon or small knife for spreading. It makes it easier for guests to enjoy.
I hope you enjoy this cold Buffalo chicken dip as much as we do—it’s a must on game day at our house, especially with kettle-cooked chips! What’s your favorite way to serve it? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your ideas!
If you love easy appetizers, be sure to try our 4-ingredient hot spinach dip, the classic creamy spinach dip, or our popular chorizo cheese dip for a deliciously different snack. And if you can’t get enough Buffalo flavor, check out our buffalo chicken meatballs—they’re bite-sized, spicy, and perfect for parties, just like this dip.
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📖 Recipe
Cold Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cooked boneless skinless chicken breast shredded, and roughly chopped
- 6 ounces cream cheese
- ⅓ cup hot sauce cayenne pepper vinegar based
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Dash cayenne pepper optional (leave it out for a milder dip)
- ½ cup sour cream
- Optional garnish: Chopped chives, green onions, or crumbled blue cheese
- Suggested Dippers: Carrots, celery sticks, assorted crackers (e.g., saltines, Club, Ritz, etc.), pretzels, bread sticks, chips (use sturdy chips like kettle-cooked varieties)
Instructions
- Add the shredded chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cayenne pepper to a saucepan.
- Place the pan over low heat and stir continuously for about 5 minutes, or until the cream cheese is completely melted and the ingredients are fully combined.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let the chicken mixture cool for a few minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl or container. Stir in the sour cream until well incorporated.
- Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, give the dip a good stir to loosen it. Transfer it to a serving bowl and garnish with parsley, green onions, or crumbled blue cheese. Serve alongside chips, veggies, pretzels, crackers, or your favorite dippers. For easier serving, include a spoon or knife for spreading.
Notes
- Cooking Chicken: If you need to cook chicken quickly, poaching is a simple method that yields tender, flavorful results. Check out our poached chicken recipe for a step-by-step guide.
- Hot Sauce: We recommend Crystal brand hot sauce for its mild heat and tangy flavor, but feel free to use your favorite cayenne pepper vinegar-based hot sauce.
- Thick Dip: This dip is hearty, so serving it with a spoon or knife makes it easier for guests to enjoy.
- Customize Heat: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper or omit it entirely to suit your family’s taste.
Nutrition
The nutritional information above is computer generated and is only an estimate. There is no guarantee that it is accurate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
Donna
Does the chicken broth stay in with the dip? Or is it discarded once the chicken is removed?
Elizabeth
Hi Donna,
Discard the broth or strain it and use it in soup.
Deanna
We usually but Aldi cold buffalo chicken dip. I had a rotisserie chicken. Mixed all cold ingredients then added cold shredded chicken. All in the kitchen aide mixer.