The Best Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, No Mayo)
This allergy-friendly creamy buffalo chicken dip is a dairy-free, gluten-free, mayo free version of this timeless, delicious classic, perfect for game night, game day, or snacking.
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When eating a dairy free, gluten free diet you really don't have to miss out on eating delicious food and this dip is proof of that! When I was put on a dairy-free diet (amongst many other restrictions) a few years ago, it felt like a bit of culture shock to this homestead girl. Did I mention that I also grew up on a dairy farm for all of my childhood as well? What was this dairy-free world? But you find ways to make things yummy like this dip and I really don't think you'll miss the dairy.
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If your new to this dairy-free world, welcome! Don't sweat it there is yummy food in your future! If you've been dairy-free for a long time, welcome, help out the newbies by leaving your best tips or encouragement in the comments. If your here because you are trying to make food for a neighbor or friend and need to accommodate their dietary needs, that's amazing! Welcome as well! (I wish we were neighbors😊)
After a bit of time my body has healed and I'm able to eat dairy again, but I'm not sure which version I prefer, my dairy-free recipe or the dairy version of this creamy buffalo chicken dip. They are both equally good.
Is there anything better than a warm, gooey, perfectly spicy, cheesy pan of buffalo chicken dip with a side of chips for scooping? Mmm I'm getting hungry thinking about it. I love dips! They are perfect for family game nights, movie nights, or when the game is on. I also love this creamy buffalo chicken dip because it's perfect to make ahead and reheat for when you need a fast lunch or even a simple dinner. Just add a salad and some fruit for a quick, simple meal.
Why You'll Love This Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
- Completely dairy-free but still super creamy-tastes just like a classic buffalo chicken dip, it's creamy and delicious-no mayo needed.
- Great for sharing with everyone-allergies or no allergies this dip will be loved by all so it's the perfect dip to bring to the party, even if everyone is not g/f or d/f, they won't know the difference, and it will be a crowd pleaser!
- Minimal, easy to find ingredients-there aren't any crazy, hard to find ingredients for this recipe.
- Easy to make-simple, no complicated steps, just easy straightforward instructions.
- Versatile-eat it as a snack or filling enough for a quick simple dinner (just add vegies and fruit) and dinners done!
Ingredients
Cooked Chicken That's Diced/Shredded- I love cooking one of our whole pastured chickens, and use that, but use whatever chicken you have on hand. You could use chicken breasts or even a rotisserie chicken for a short cut (be sure to find out if the rotisserie chickens' seasonings are gluten-free to keep this recipe gluten-free if that is important to you)
Dairy-Free Cream Cheese-Use your favorite brand. I used Violife brand because that's what was available in my local grocery store, and I liked the way it tasted in this dip. I read that Miyoko's, Tufutti, and Kite Hill brands are good, or for a super clean dairy-free cream cheese you could make your own.
Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing- I use my home made Dairy Free Ranch Dressing and I would highly recommend making that to use in this recipe. Bonus, there's no seed oils in my recipe! Or you can use your favorite store-bought brand. I prefer Primal Kitchen because it is g/f and d/f.
Hot Sauce-Any brand that you like that is g/f and d/f. Franks Hot Sauce Original would work great! I used one from Aldi that had clean ingredients. Just remember to check the label.
Cheese-Any g/f, d/f cheese you like. I used a shredded cheddar from Aldi and the brand was called Earth Grown Vegan Shredded dairy-free cheddar cheese.
Kitchen supplies you'll need
8x8 or similar sized casserole dish
Small to medium sized kettle. I've linked the one that I have and love. I've used it for 9 years and it's still good as new.
Brief overview of steps to make this Creamy Dairy-Free Buffalo Chicken Dip
I've added some pictures and video with short descriptions of the steps, but full instructions are in the recipe card below.
As pictured below melt the d/f cream cheese and d/f ranch together in a kettle using low to medium heat, stirring until most of the lumps of cream cheese are gone.
Place chicken in a casserole dish and drizzle the hot sauce over top of the chicken.
Pour the ranch and cream cheese mixture over top of the chicken.
Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top, don't stir it in, this is more of a layered dip. Then place in the 350° preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
Using a fork, break up the melted cheese. Watch the video below to see how to do this step.
Watch: How to break up the cheese layer on the Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip
After baking for 20 minutes, use a fork to gently break through the melted cheese layer of the dip. You don't want to stir it all together, you are just trying to let some of the creamy hot sauce, ranch mixture come to the surface.
Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.
Some extra ideas of what to serve with Dairy-Free Buffalo Chicken Dip (beyond chips)
The Best Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, No Mayo)
Ingredients
- 1 7-ounce container dairy-free cream cheese Different brands vary in weight, anything close in weight will work
- 1 cup dairy-free ranch dressing Use my dairy-free ranch recipe linked above or use a store-bought D/F ranch like Primal Kitchen
- 2 cups cooked diced or shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup hot sauce Franks Red Hot Original is D/F and G/F
- 2 cups shredded dairy-free cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- Prepare the cream cheese mixture: Scoop the dairy-free cream cheese into a saucepan. Add the dairy-free ranch. Heat over low-medium heat, stirring often, until most of the cream cheese is melted. A few lumps are fine. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the chicken layer:Place the diced/shredded chicken into an 8x8-inch casserole dish (or similar size dish). Drizzle hot sauce over the chicken.
- Add the ranch/cream cheese mixture and cheese:Pour the melted ranch and cream cheese mixture evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle the dairy-free cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake:Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven and use a fork to gently break up the melted cheese layer just enough so that some of the ranch/cream cheese mixture and hot sauce comes through. Do not stir everything together —only break the top cheese layer. See video above demonstrating this.
- Finish Baking:Place back into the 350°F oven uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown.
- Let rest:Let dip rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Leftovers need to be stored in the fridge and consumed within 3-4 days.
- Make it a day ahead and warm it in the oven before serving. Reheating instructions—Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes at 350°F.
- Add more hot sauce for a spicier dip or less for an even milder dip.
