Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip

This healthier buffalo chicken dip is just as spicy and cheesy, but better for you!

Buffalo chicken dip is most definitely my favorite snack for parties and family get-togethers, and it didn’t take me long to memorize the recipe after learning it a few years ago! It’s a super easy dip that you can stick right in the crockpot, and it’s spicy, creamy and cheesy—what could be better?

Of course, though, buffalo chicken dip isn’t healthy. It’s made with ranch dressing, cheddar cheese and cream cheese, then usually served with tortilla chips. When I find something delicious that’s bad for you, I always try to make it healthier, so that’s what I did with buffalo chicken dip!

While this dip is not a super healthy snack I suggest eating all the time, it has a few substitutions that does make it better for you! Rather than using store-bought ranch dressing, it calls for my healthy ranch dressing recipe, or you could use Greek yogurt with a homemade dry ranch seasoning. Instead of regular cream cheese, Neufchatel cheese is used, which is very similar but less in calories and fat.

This recipe also substitutes mozzarella cheese for cheddar cheese, which has less calories, fat and cholesterol, and more protein. Lastly, while sometimes I do eat it with multi grain tortilla chips, I actually prefer this dip with celery! It reminds me of eating wings with celery and ranch, and it adds a nice, fresh crunch to every bite.

There is a reason this dip is called “healthier” buffalo chicken dip rather than “healthy,” because although some ingredients are switched with better options, it still isn’t an everyday snack and it needs to be eaten in moderation just like anything else.

That being said, almost every time I make this dip I have to try hard not to eat the whole batch, but this recipe makes it so you feel a little better indulging whether you’re having a Super Bowl party, game night with friends, or just making it for yourself to enjoy at home!

Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip

From The Small Town Foodie at https://www.thesmalltownfoodie.com/healthier-buffalo-chicken-dip/

https://www.thesmalltownfoodie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/BuffaloChickenDip3small.png

Prep: 15m

Cook: 30m

Total: 0h 45m

This healthier buffalo chicken dip is just as spicy and cheesy, but better for you!

You'll Need...

• 2 – 8 ounce packages Neufchatel cheese
• 1 cup healthy ranch dressing (recipe here)
• ¾ cup hot sauce ( I preferFrank’s)
• 2 – 12.5 ounce cans chunk chicken breast (or 2 cooked chicken breasts, chunked)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. If baking, preheat oven to 350°F. Skip this step if you are using a crockpot!
2. Add Neufchatel cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce to a large mixing bowl.
3. Mix ingredients with a hand or stand mixer until combined.
4. Add chicken breast and mix in until well combined and chicken has separated into smaller pieces.
5. Add mozzarella cheese and mix again until well combined.
6. If baking, add dip to baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes until heated through. If using crockpot, add dip to the crockpot and heat on high until heated through. Change to low once dip is ready. Keep an eye on the dip—you may need to change it to keep warm if it is hot enough,
7. Serve with tortilla chips, raw veggies, or crackers

Additional Notes

*Instead of homemade ranch dressing, you could use Greek yogurt with 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried chives, 1/2 teaspoon dried dill, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt

Generated with ♥︎ by Matcha Print

I am now a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, meaning some links in this post are affiliate links and bring you to Amazon.com. I will get compensated if you click the links and purchase products and I will never link a product that I don’t genuinely like. I’m excited to start monetizing my blog and I always appreciate your support of The Small Town Foodie!

Save

Save