Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip with Avocado Oil Ranch (Gluten-Free)

This healthy buffalo chicken dip recipe is a simple, creamy, perfectly spicy appetizer. It uses an avocado oil ranch dressing, so it contains no seed oils and is gluten-free! Best of all, it's easy to make.

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I love dips! Are they an appetizer? ✓A snack? ✓ A meal? ✓ Need something to take to a potluck? ✓ A New Year's Eve party? ✓ A Superbowl party? ✓ Dips are so versatile and always a hit at parties. I love any recipe that can be used to serve multiple functions and purposes, and this recipe does just that.

This recipe has been a long time favorite at our house for many years, but after eliminating seed oils (as much as we can) from our diet, I needed to healthify my recipe, so I did just that.

Why avoid seed oils?

I'll share why our family has chosen to avoid seed oils.

• Seed oils are high in omega-6 fats

While we need some omega-6 fats in our diet, there is an overuse of them in so many processed foods that they can easily upset the balance of the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. This can contribute to chronic inflammation in the body. (I used to experience this every morning in the form of a stiff back.)

• Seed oils are unstable when cooked at high temperatures

I use avocado oil because it is stable under high heat and it has a neutral taste. That's why I chose an avocado oil based ranch dressing for this healthy buffalo chicken dip.

If you're interested in more information on seed oils I've linked to an article here that explains this in a little more detail.

How I make this Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip seed oil free

I make my own ranch dressing (recipe here.) Note: My ranch recipe is dairy-free but there are modifications in the directions to use whole milk instead. P.S. I've also turned this healthy buffalo chicken dip into a completly dairy-free version if that interests you. Find that recipe here.

While it does involve an extra step to make your own dressing, you can make it ahead of time to save a few minutes when you are ready to make the dip. Actually, that is what I highly recommend doing if you make your own dressing so that there is time for the flavors to develop in the ranch dressing. I find making the dressing worth it for the cost savings and the control of the flavors. Otherwise use your favorite store bought, seed oil free ranch like Primal Kitchen and call it good. Either way it will turn out delicious!

Why you'll love this recipe

• Minimal ingredients- Only 5 ingredients needed! *If you buy your ranch dressing, otherwise with the homemade ranch you'll need more.
• Versatile- Perfect for while you watch the game, family game night, potlucks, parties, even for dinner. The possibilities are endless!
• Crowd pleaser- Everyone loves a good dip and this one is no exception!
• Customizable- Adjust the amount of hot sauce to make it more or less spicy. Switch up the type of cheese to change it up. For an extra spicy kick use pepper jack.

What you'll need for the Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Kitchen supplies

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!

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)

Cream Cheese- Softened to room temperature.

Ranch Dressing- I use my homemade recipe made with avocado oil found here. *It's written to be dairy-free but check the directions to see how to use whole milk instead of coconut milk. If you don't make my homemade recipe be sure to purchase a brand like Primal Kitchen Ranch that contains no seed oils and is gluten-free.

Hot Sauce- Use your favorite brand, just remember to check the ingredients for gluten and seed oils. Frank's Red Hot Original has no gluten or seed oils, but Frank's Red Hot Wings Buffalo contains canola oil. So be sure to check the label!

Cheddar cheese- You can use pre shredded cheese or can I convince you to buy a block and grate your own cheese? It tastes so much better!

Brief overview of steps to make this Healthy 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 cream cheese and 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 it 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 Healthy 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.

Ideas of what to serve with Buffalo Chicken Dip:

The tried-and-true classic way: Tortilla chips. Siete brand makes a good one, made with 100% avocado oil.

• Serve with crackers
• Serve with veggies like celery, carrot sticks, or bell pepper strips for dipping
• Stuff some in a wrap
• Use as filling for buffalo chicken sliders
• Serve over a pile of french fries and drizzle with extra ranch dressing to make loaded buffalo chicken fries
• Serve as a simple dinner, just add a side salad and fruit
• Better yet serve over a bed of lettuce for a creamy buffalo chicken salad like this—