This Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip will get you snacking on low-calorie cheesy deliciousness – without sacrificing flavor!
When hosting a Super Bowl party, or any sporting event party, one of the most important things to provide your guests is appetizers. Not just appetizers, but greasy, sports-bar-style appetizers that leave cheese dripping from your chips and fingertips. A staple of any sports bar is, of course, Buffalo chicken. As such, there’s no better way to capture that energy to serve at your home than to have not just a Buffalo chicken dip, but a healthy Buffalo chicken dip packed with flavor.
Fresh, clean, and protein-packed ingredients are what make this appetizer fly off the table. It can be jazzed up with seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, or all the above. In most of my cooking, I personally just add all those lovely powders, judging quantity by ‘feeling’ until I sense my ancestors’ ghosts telling me “Hey, whoa, that’s probably enough”. That aside, this recipe doesn’t need my ridiculous dumping of garlic to be amazing and thrill all your guests!
Everyone’s Favorite…
This recipe is perfect for all your sporty parties not just because it’s healthy and not just because it’s flavorful, but because it is easy, convenient, and you can make it ahead of time for less stress on the day of your party. It is also an easy accommodation if you have a variety of diets to cater to, as this appetizer is gluten-free and keto-friendly!
It’s All Greek to Me!
Something I love about this recipe is that all the dairy products, which can usually make a recipe feel heavy, are lighter and healthier. Reduced fat options for cream cheese and shredded cheddar will lighten your dip and the cup of Greek yogurt provides you with probiotics, too. Greek yogurt is such a great dairy option for recipes because I can never get enough of that tangy, acidic taste and I love how full the thick texture feels. You never even think to miss higher-calorie ingredients like sour cream when you’re experiencing the richness of good Greek yogurt.
A staple of this recipe is, of course, the chicken. Leftover rotisserie chicken is an excellent option, giving you the opportunity to put your leftovers to use. Chicken breast is my preferred meat for this dish, as it’s lean and delicious, and easy to shred. Alternatively, it’s possible to adjust this recipe for a vegetarian crowd by using cauliflower as a substitute for the chicken. You can roast the florets in the oven (20 minutes at 425F) or rice the cauliflower in a food processor or grater before using them instead of chicken for your healthy Buffalo ‘chicken’ dip!
FAQs & Tips
How to Make Ahead and Store
The best way to store your dip is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will keep them good to reheat for between 3 to 5 days. To serve after storage, either pop the dip in your microwave for a minute at a time until heated, or you can bake it in a preheated 350F oven for 10 minutes. If you’re prepping your dip ahead of the party, follow all instructions in the recipe except baking it in the oven. Once it’s mixed, keep it in a greased baking dish covered in the refrigerator. When company arrives, simply pull it out and bake in the oven until hot and bubbly.
Crunch Time…
If you’re looking at your cheesy dip and thinking your party needs a little visual oomph that crunches in your mouth, a good option can be to add a variety of bell peppers diced up into your mixture. This gives you green, red, orange, and yellow edible confetti that’s festive and party-perfect.
What About Extra Toppings?
You can top your dip with a fresh sprinkling of bright green scallions, also called green onions. Or you can add the classic accompaniment to Buffalo chicken dishes, blue cheese. I’m personally a fan of feta cheese, as I love the salty punch.
Serving Suggestions
To serve your dip, you need to have something to hold your dip! Serve a bowl of chips and/or a platter of veggies like carrots and celery so that guests can have their pick of methods to eat. You can also get creative and make an extra side dish like Cauliflower Hash Browns or Sweet Potato Fries to scoop up your dip!
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
- 2/3 cup hot wing sauce
- 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese softened
- 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
- Green onions for garnish
- Carrots celery, and tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, hot wing sauce, Greek yogurt, shredded cheddar cheese, and ranch seasoning mix until well blended.
- Transfer the mixture to an 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- If you like, sprinkle additional shredded cheese on top for a cheesier crust.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and serve with a side of carrots, celery, and tortilla chips.
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