Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip – Need an easy (emphasize on easy) appetizer to impress your guests? The creamy, spicy dip incorporates canned shredded chicken, spicy buffalo sauce, cream cheese, butter, and tangy ranch, cooked to perfection in the Instant Pot. Serve Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip with chips, veggies, or crusty bread for a crowd-pleasing snack that will be a hit at your next party or game-day gathering.
Whip up our easy Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip in no time! It’s a fantastic option for game day or quick meal prep for the week ahead. And when you serve it at your next gathering, don’t forget to pair it with our Guacamole and Chunky Salsa. Grab some chips, and dig in.
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
- Chicken: Use canned chicken (I know, but it’s good-trust me) or shredded rotisserie chicken like the ones at Costco to reduce the prep time. You can also boil and shred chicken breast or chicken tenders if you don’t mind the work, but adjust the cooking time accordingly (see the FAQ for specific cooking times).
- Cream Cheese: Use softened, full-fat cream cheese for the perfect creaminess.
- Butter: Butter and buffalo sauce, name a better duo!
- Buffalo Sauce: Cater the heat to your preference. I use ½ cup, but if I need the sauce to be milder, I reduce the amount to ¼ cup. To make it spicier, I suggest using the recommended amount and adding thinly sliced jalapeños or serranos.
- Ranch: Add flavor and creaminess with ranch dressing. You can also use sour cream or Greek yogurt. Use store bought or try the Best Ranch Dressing Recipe I’ve ever tasted.
- Cheddar Cheese: You can never have enough cheese when making buffalo chicken dip.
- Scallions: Scallions or green onions provide a nice peppery finish.
VARIATION AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Increase the heat by adding fresh jalapeños or serrano chilies.
- You’ve heard of loaded baked potatoes, but have you tried loaded buffalo chicken? Stir crispy bacon bits into the dip along with the cheddar cheese.
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Add canned chicken, cream cheese, butter, buffalo sauce, and ranch to an Instant Pot, and stir to combine.
Set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 2 minutes with a quick release, then stir in the cheddar cheese.
Serve the dip straight out of the Instant Pot or add it to a serving dish. Garnish with scallions to serve.
CAN I MAKE THIS RECIPE IN THE OVEN?
- Preheat the oven to 350° F (176° C) and combine the ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Empty the mixture into a baking dish, top it with cheddar cheese, and bake for 10 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh scallions.
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EXPERT TIPS
- To avoid a burn notification and a messy Instant Pot, wait until you pressure-cook the other ingredients to add the shredded cheddar cheese. Adding the cheese too early can cause it to scorch and stick to the bottom of the pot, and no one wants that.
- Use the broiler to finish the Buffalo Chicken Dip for golden, bubbly goodness. Transfer the Buffalo Dip to an oven-safe serving dish, and stick it in the broiler for 2 minutes before adding the toppings.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Corn Tortilla Chips, Corn Chips, Ritz Crackers, Pita or Pita Chips
- Celery, Cucumbers, Carrots, Bell Peppers
- Pizza
- Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
- House Salad, Caesar Salad
- Toasted Baguettes
WHAT TO DO WITH THE LEFTOVERS
- Refrigerate – Store leftovers in an airtight container; they will keep for 3-4 days.
- Can You Freeze Buffalo Chicken Dip? – If you choose to freeze the dip, allow it to cool, then store it in a freezer-safe container. Cover it with a layer of plastic wrap before securing the lid. Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip will keep in the freezer for 3 months.
- Thaw – When you’re ready to serve, defrost it in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.
- Reheat – Reheat individual servings in the microwave. I recommend warming it for one minute, giving it a quick stir, and warming it for another minute. You can also reheat all the leftovers in the oven. Be sure to cover the dish in foil, then bake for 10-15 minutes in the oven heated to 350° F (176° C).
- Repurpose – Make nachos or use the dip to top Roasted Potatoes. Fill romaine lettuce or a tortilla to create a buffalo chicken wrap. Add the filling to Hawaiian rolls and make buffalo chicken sliders.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is this called Buffalo chicken dip?
The name is credited to a small, family-owned business called Anchors Bar; they came up with the the recipe as a way to feed the late night bar patrons.
Can I use boneless chicken breast?
Yes, but you will need to increase the cooking time. Add the ingredients to the Instant Pot except for the cheddar cheese. Set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 10 minutes and naturally release for another 10 minutes.
You can also cook frozen chicken breasts for the same amount of time. However, the Instant Pot may take longer to come to pressure.
Is buffalo chicken dip keto? Is it low-carb?
Instant Pot buffalo chicken dip is a great, low-carb alternative that easily fits the keto macros. The serving size for these calculations is ½ cup.
• Carbs – 3 Net Carbs
• Protein – 25g
• Fat – 81g
How do you thicken the buffalo chicken dip?
Our dip is pretty thick, but if you find it too thin, I recommend adding more cheddar cheese after the dip pressure cooks.
Can I make this recipe in a Crock-Pot or slow cooker?
1. Add the chicken, cream cheese, butter, buffalo sauce, ranch, and ¼ cup bleu cheese crumbles to a slow cooker.
2. Cook on high for 5 hours or low for 8 hours.
3. Give the dip a quick stir, then top it with the shredded cheddar cheese. Cover and cook for 20 minutes until the cheese melts.
MORE INSTANT POT RECIPES:
- Instant Pot Potato Soup
- Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
- Instant Pot Carnitas
- Instant Pot Mississippi Roast
⭐️ Rate the Recipe
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Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Equipment
- Serving Dish
Ingredients
- 3 cans chicken, 16-ounce, drained
- 1½ packages cream cheese, softened, cut into cubes
- ½ stick butter
- ½ cup Franks Red Hot Buffalo Sauce
- ½ cup ranch
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded, plus more for topping
- scallions, thinly sliced, to garnish
Instructions
- Add canned chicken, cream cheese, butter, buffalo sauce, and ranch to an Instant Pot, and stir to combine.
- Serve the dip straight out of the Instant Pot or add it to a serving dish. Garnish with scallions to serve.
Michael Rodriguez
Wednesday 19th of April 2023
I'm always looking for new and exciting appetizers to serve at my dinner parties and this Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip did not disappoint! The combination of the spicy buffalo sauce and tangy ranch with the creamy cream cheese was a flavor explosion in my mouth. Plus, it was so simple to make in my Instant Pot. I served it with crusty bread and my guests couldn't stop raving about it. Thank you for sharing this recipe, it's a new favorite of mine!
Sarah L.
Tuesday 14th of February 2023
I made this Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip for my Super Bowl party and it was a huge hit! It was so easy to make in the Instant Pot and tasted amazing with tortilla chips. The combination of buffalo sauce, cream cheese, and ranch made it perfectly balanced in flavor. I will definitely be making this recipe again! Thanks for sharing it.