I love buffalo chicken dip. I mean, what’s not to like? Tender chicken, a creamy sauce, and lots of cheese make for a delicious appetizer. In fact, my first version of buffalo chicken dip is 15 years old! While I still adore that recipe, sometimes I want my appetizer not to be so indulgent.
Crafting a new version
I need to start with a disclosure. This version of buffalo chicken dip is healthier not healthy. That is a very important distinction. Although this recipe is lower in calories and fat, it is not a dish I would eat on a weeknight. (Note to new readers, weekdays and weeknights are for healthy eating in my book. Weekends are for indulging.)
That being said, this version is decently healthier. This recipe contains less than half the amount of cream cheese in my initial version. It has about half of the cheddar cheese. Of course, that means the recipes includes cream cheese (light) and cheddar cheese, so it retains both some indulgence and a whole lot of flavor and texture.
Additionally, if I want to stay healthier, I eat the majority of my serving with celery sticks. While that may sound less exciting that tortilla chips, it is the dip that is the star, not its delivery vehicle!
Adding more flavor
In my original recipe, I cooked the chicken in the hot sauce. I opted to skip that step this time. Use rotisserie chicken, or cook extra chicken when making a meal earlier in the week. Then use the leftovers in the dip; there is plenty of buffalo sauce in this recipe to impart its flavor.
However, I also wanted to add some other savory notes, so this recipe includes blue cheese, in place of blue cheese dressing. For multi-dimensional flavors, I added garlic and onion powders. While not adding flavor but building on the gooey texture, I divided the cheddar among the mixture and its topping. Cheese pulls for all!
With the Super Bowl only a week away, it’s time to start planning your snack menu. Definitely add this one to it. Who doesn’t want some piping hot (and healthier) buffalo chicken dip on the big day?
Hot (and Healthier) Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients
- 6 ounces light cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup Buffalo sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 2-1/2 cups shredded chicken
- 1-1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese divided
- Tortilla chips
- Carrot & celery sticks
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Coat a 2-liter casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
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In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, yogurt, Buffalo sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder.
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Stir until smooth.
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Add blue cheese, shredded chicken, and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese; mix well.
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Transfer mixture into prepared dish.
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Sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese.
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Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until cheese is melted and dip is bubbling.
