Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
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Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip is a delicious, lighter version of your favorite appetizer! Easy, gluten free, keto & loaded with flavor – you’ll love it! There is no cream cheese in this recipe (you don’t need it!)
This post was shared in 2018 but has since been updated.
I mean is there anything better than cheesy, spicy healthy buffalo chicken dip? Let me answer that for you… uh no, no there is not.
This dip is one of my favorite appetizers, with Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip, Parmesan Chicken Wings and Healthy Bean Dip coming in at a close second!
Buffalo chicken dip often gets a bad rep, but this healthy buffalo chicken dip is about to change that.
It still tastes absolutely amazing and is just a little bit lighter then regular buffalo chicken dip.
What makes this buffalo chicken dip healthy?
This buffalo chicken dip is so much healthier than regular buffalo chicken dip! Here’s why:
- Low Fat: Buffalo chicken dip is usually made with tons of cheese, ranch or blue cheese dressing and cream cheese which makes it super high in fat. I swapped out cream cheese/dressing for greek yogurt and cottage cheese. Yes.. you read that right, there is NO cream cheese in this recipe!
- Higher Protein: The greek yogurt/cottage cheese mix still makes this rich and creamy, with way less fat and a whole lot more protein!
- Simple Ingredients: Most dips use cream cheese or ranch dressing. This recipe uses simple healthy ingredients! If you want another easy dip, try our Healthy Onion Dip or Enchilada Dip!
I also added a little bit less cheese to it compared to normal buffalo chicken dip, but if you want to go ahead and add more in – I’m not going to stop you. More cheese is always better!
Now, let’s get into what you’re here for – how do you make healthy buffalo chicken dip?!
Ingredients for healthy buffalo chicken dip:
Making healthy buffalo chicken dip is ridiculously easy. You only need 6 ingredients.
- Cottage cheese (no you can’t even taste it, I swear) – look for a cottage cheese with no fillers/gums and one that is small curd. Good culture is our favorite brand.
- nonfat Greek yogurt
- cheddar cheese – we always grate our cheese fresh, it melts so much better!
- buffalo sauce – this one is our favorite
- cooked chicken
We love to get our chicken from ButcherBox. Learn more about why we love it in this Butcher Box Reviews Post.
Substitutions for this skinny buffalo chicken dip:
This buffalo chicken dip is pretty easy to make and customize.
Cooked Chicken: You can make our crockpot shredded chicken, instant pot shredded chicken or just buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it! I like to make this with chicken breasts, but chicken thighs or chicken tenders will also work.
Cottage cheese: I haven’t tested this recipe without cottage cheese, but if you’re asking because you don’t like it… just put it in there. I don’t like cottage cheese either (at all!) but I swear you can not taste it in this. Do not use fat free cottage cheese. Look for 4% milkfat or a brand with no stabilizers or gums. We like GoodCulture.
Buffalo Sauce: This is our favorite buffalo sauce. It’s made with great ingredients and it tastes amazing! I haven’t tried this dip with other sauces, but I bet it will be delicious!
Cheddar Cheese: We recommend using freshly grated cheddar cheese, not pre-shredded. Pre-shredded cheese does not melt as well and can result in a watery dip.
Blue Cheese: If you like blue cheese in your buffalo chicken dip, sub 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese with 1/2 cup of blue cheese.
Low fat cheese: Low fat cheeses do not melt as well as regular cheese. It will work in this recipe if you like it but it likely will make the dip watery.
Yogurt: Use nonfat Greek yogurt in this recipe. Do not use regular yogurt. Regular yogurt can make this dip watery.
Vegetarian: We made a vegetarian version of this recipe! Check out our Vegetarian Buffalo Dip.
How to make healthy buffalo chicken dip:
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl.
- Mix until thoroughly combined.
- You can totally top with extra cheese before popping it in the oven, but you don’t have to!
- Pour into an 8×8 glass baking dish (or a glass pie plate!) and bake!
How to serve healthy buffalo chicken dip:
There’s no wrong way to eat this healthy buffalo chicken dip.. but here are a few ideas
- Chips – these chips are yummy!
- Pretzels – (I love these flat ones for dipping!)
- Veggies – Celery, peppers, and carrots go well with this.
- A spoon… kidding? Not really. It’s that good.
- On a sandwich –Leftovers are delicious in a grilled cheese!
Help! My dip is watery
If your buffalo chicken dip is watery, no worries – we can fix it! Take a paper towel and gently blot it against the edges of the dip. You can tilt the dish using an oven mitt towards the paper towel so the excess water drains towards it.
You can bake the dip for an extra few minutes to help absorb the excess moisture.
The dip is likely watery because of your ingredients. If you used a cottage cheese with fillers or gums, this could cause the cottage cheese to separate, resulting in a watery dip. Preshredded cheese can also cause the same issue. Using low fat ingredients instead of nonfat (they’re different!) can also result in a watery dip.
Either way, just try to blot as much of the excess water out and return to the oven to bake for a few minutes to help.
Can you make this keto buffalo chicken dip in the crockpot?
I wouldn’t recommend making this buffalo chicken dip in the crockpot. The water doesn’t evaporate like it does in the oven and it might be watery. Try this Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip instead!
How to make shredded chicken
You have a few options for how to make shredded chicken.
Instant Pot: You can make my Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
Crockpot: You can cook chicken in the crockpot (you’d have to do it the day before or in the morning)
Rotisserie Chicken: You can buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it up (Save the bones and make crockpot bone broth !)
Boiled chicken: You can boil chicken for about 15 minutes until it is entirely cooked and then shred.
Canned Chicken: You could use canned chicken… but I think it’s gross and bouncy. If you do use canned chicken make sure to drain it EXTREMELY well. If you don’t you’ll be left with a watery mess.
Storing Buffalo Chicken Dip
Prep ahead of time: You can mix together this dip the night before and put it in the refrigerator (unbaked). When you’re ready to eat let the dish come to room temperature and bake per instructions.
Storing this Dip: This dip will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Freezing Buffalo Chicken Dip: I haven’t tried freezing this dip but I wouldn’t recommend it. I don’t think it will freeze well. I think it would get watery/ and might not be as creamy.
Reheating Buffalo Chicken Dip: If you need to reheat this Buffalo Chicken Dip – you can put it in your microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until cheese starts to melt.
You can also reheat it in a toaster oven, or use a crockpot set to warm to keep it warm throughout!
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup nonfat greek yogurt
- ½ cup small curd cottage cheese
- 2 cups cheddar cheese divided (can also sub half crumbled blue cheese)
Instructions
Oven Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400.
- In a bowl mix cooked chicken, buffalo sauce, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese and 1 cup cheddar cheese until thoroughly combined.
- Pour dip into an 8×8 baking dish. Top with remaining 1 cup of cheese. Bake at 400 for 25 mins.
- You can turn the oven to broil the last 2 minutes of cooking if you'd prefer a crispier topping.
- Feel free to drizzle the dip with extra buffalo sauce before serving if you'd like. Serve with chips or veggies or choice.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in instant pot base. Add 1/4 cup water.
- Set to pressure cook for 14 minutes. Make sure your pot is set to sealing, not venting. The pot will take 3-4 minutes to come to pressure. Allow it to cook and naturally release for 10 minutes. (You can also quick release if you're in a hurry!)
- Shred chicken with a hand mixer in the pot, or remove from the pot, shred with forks, and return back to the pot. Make sure to drain excess water from the pot/chicken to avoid a watery dip.
- Stir in buffalo sauce, cheese, yogurt, and cottage cheese, tossing until warm.
- Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes until cheese has melted.
Crockpot Instructions
- In a bowl mix all ingredients until thoroughly combined.
- Pour dip batter into crockpot (top with extra cheese if desired!). Cover and cook for low 4-6 hours or high 2-3 hours.
Video
Notes
- Chips – these chips are yummy!
- Pretzels ( i love these flat ones for dipping!)
- Veggies – Celery, peppers and carrots go well with this.
- Instant Pot: You can make my Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
- Crockpot: You can cook the chicken in the crockpot (you’d have to do it the day before or in the morning)
- Rotisserie Chicken: You can buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it up (Save the bones and make easy crockpot bone broth !)
- Boiled chicken: You can boil chicken for about 15 minutes until it is entirely cooked and then shred.
This stuff is so good! My favorite go-to!! i find myself making this a couple of times a month. 🙂
So glad you like it, Sarah! Thank you!
This was so good. It satisfies my chicken wing dip craving and I didn’t feel guilty eating it.
So glad you liked it Emily!
Made this for the Super Bowl and shredded some rotisserie chicken, and used aged white cheddar. Decided to bake it for 20 minutes and then under the broiler for five to get the top of it nice and toasty. This was a huge hit with my group!
So glad you liked it, Tim! thanks!
What a simple and delicious recipe! Highly recommend as an app or meal for any occasion 🙂
So happy you liked it, Tara! Thank you!!
BEST Buffalo Chicken dip I’ve made! This will definitely stay in rotation. It was quick and easy to make. My daughter who is away at college made it and loved it as well! Blue Corn chips went perfect with it!
So happy you both liked it, Alexis! Thank you!
I have made this twice now, and last night for the super bowl everyone asked who made the dip because it was so good, and they wanted to know exactly what was in it! There was shock and awe when they learned the recipe included cottage cheese, but they all loved it already and appreciated that it was packed with protein.
Yay!! I love to hear that! Thank you so much, Elizabeth!
I made this last night for the Super Bowl and let me tell you it was awesome! Thank you for sharing.
So happy you liked it, Carla!
So easy and so good! Better than regular Buffalo chicken dip with the heavier ingredients. This will be my go to from now on!
Yay! So happy you liked it! Thank you!
Highly recommend! You might want to double the batch 🙂
Thank you so much, Abby!
So quick and easy to make and delicious! This will definitely be something I make a lot!
So glad you liked it!!
Ok so tonight (super bowl Sunday) my 28 yo son said I had to make buffalo chicken dip. I made the BAD version and said there was no way I would put that in my body. They all said it was so good. After a couple glasses of wine I tasted it and it was really good. But I knew there was a better, healthier, less fat way to go. I found your recipe and I knew this was it. I know it is annoying when people rate a recipe before they make it, but I am dong it. I’m gonna make this and I know it will be just as good as the BAD version. Because honestly, the Franks hot sauce is the key element., so it doesn’t matter what the fat level is in the other ingredients. I’ll keep you posted. Keep up the good recipe work!
Thanks, Annie! We believe in everything in moderation and that no foods are ‘bad’ but if you’re looking for a lighter version – this is really yummy!
Just made this for superbowl- SO SO SO good! I cannot believe I didn’t taste the cottage cheese! Hubby approved too! Thank you!
So happy you liked it, Katie! Thanks!
My favorite party appetizer! You can’t tell a difference from the full fat version, and everyone loves it!
Love hearing this, Amelia! Thank you so much!
Made this for a Super Bowl appetizer and it was delicious! Highly recommend! It paired nicely with some veggie sticks. Super easy and quick to make. I skipped the blue cheese & used lots of pepper jack and it was awesome!
So happy to hear this! Thanks, Lyndsay!
I made this recipe on a whim for Super Bowl Sunday. We could not stop eating it. Do yourself a favor and add it to your favorites right now. You can thank me later.
So happy you liked it, Sally! Thank you!
Love this recipe. A great healthier option for game day. I made the recipe with all low fat / reduced fat cheeses and it came out delicious.
Thank you so much, Gina! Glad you liked it!
Loved it with goat cheese! Super easy and yummy! Great alternative to an u healthy dip.
So glad you liked it!
So good. Thank you. Had for super bowl party while on
Weight watchers,
So happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Yum! Happy you enjoyed it!
This is my very favorite Buffalo dip recipe! So easy and tastes even better than the other ones I’ve made. It’s my go to for get togethers!
So glad you liked it, Keeley! Thank you!
Love, love, love. Easy, simple, and just taste so good. I love that is no super heavy with cream cheese. You can’t even tell it has cottage cheese.
Love to hear that Jessica, thank you!!
Sooo good!! I was honestly a little skeptical, but wow, was I wrong! It was so tasty and satisfying! I did not miss the cream cheese at all. Everyone at the party loved it as well!
So happy to hear this, Molly! Thank you!
Another great recipe!!!! It’s seriously so good you may want to just dip the chips and grab a spoon!!’
Yay!! Love hearing this.
I made this with shredded crockpot chicken and it was so good! I took some to my parents’ to try and the also enjoyed it. It was super easy and I’m pretty sure if I took it to a party, nobody would know it is healthy. Will be saving and making again!
So happy to hear you liked it, Abby! Thank you!!
A GREAT alternative to the “real deal”!! Less fat, more protein and all the same flavor!! Only difference is the texture. Not as creamy but next time I’m going to try crushing up the cottage cheese a bit more.
Thanks for a healthier option to my FAVORITE craving 😋
So happy you liked it, Erica! Did you use small curd cottage cheese? That helps!
I used small curd the second time around with a much better outcome! I also just made it again without cottage cheese (only because I REALLY wanted the dip but was out of cottage cheese) and it wasn’t as good, not as thick and the flavor was a tad different. Definitely just sticking with the recipe next time haha
Glad you liked it! The cottage cheese is definitely necessary!
This dip was incredible! It’s the 2nd dip I’ve made from you and I loved it!! I subbed for low fat mozzarella and it was great! Thank you for taking delicious recipes and making them healthier!! So, so good!!
So happy you liked it, Kellie! Thank you!