Buffalo chicken dip is a popular appetizer for game day parties and potlucks. It’s made with shredded chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce, and various cheeses baked together into a delicious, creamy dip. But one question many people have is whether you need to warm it up before serving. Here are some quick answers to common questions about warming up buffalo chicken dip:
– Do you need to warm it up? No, you don’t have to warm up buffalo chicken dip. It can be served chilled or at room temperature straight from the fridge. However, warming it up can enhance the flavors.
– What is the best way to warm it up? The oven or slow cooker work well for evenly warming buffalo chicken dip. Microwaving can work in a pinch but may lead to hot spots.
– How hot should you warm it? You’ll want to warm the dip to an internal temperature of 165°F. This helps melt the cheeses fully and allows the flavors to meld.
– How long does it take to warm up? If warming in a 350°F oven, it takes 15-20 minutes for chilled dip to come up to temperature throughout. A slow cooker or crockpot may take 1-2 hours.
– Can you make it ahead and warm it later? Absolutely! Buffalo chicken dip holds up well in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can make it 1-2 days ahead and gently reheat it when ready to serve.
The Origins of Buffalo Chicken Dip
Buffalo chicken dip as we know it today originated in the 1990s as an appetizer inspired by buffalo chicken wings. It took the flavors of hot sauce, chicken, and blue cheese dressing and transformed them into a hearty, shareable dip.
Some trace buffalo chicken dip back to a recipe published in a Houston newspaper in the 1990s. The author remains unknown, but they had the genius idea to blend up buffalo wing flavors into a dip format.
From there, recipes spread through newspaper clippings, cookbooks, and internet forums throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Food bloggers eventually grabbed hold of the concept, and the dip’s popularity skyrocketed.
Now it’s a staple at game day parties, potlucks, and family gatherings across America. It’s loved for being hearty, flavorful, and easy to make ahead for feeding a crowd. Warming it up takes it to the next level by melting the cheeses fully.
Key Ingredients
Buffalo chicken dip brings together chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce, and shredded cheeses. Here are some key ingredients that give this dip its signature flavor:
– Shredded Chicken – Rotisserie or cooked chicken is shredded to give the dip texture.
– Cream Cheese – Provides a rich, creamy base when blended with the other ingredients.
– Hot Sauce – Traditional buffalo chicken dip calls for a vinegar-based hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot. The heat and vinegar cut through the richness.
– Shredded Cheese – A blend of shredded cheeses like cheddar, Monterey jack, and mozzarella gives it gooey meltability.
– Blue Cheese – Crumbled blue cheese adds tang and pairs nicely with the buffalo sauce.
Why Warming Improves the Flavors
There are a few reasons why warming up buffalo chicken dip improves its overall flavor:
It fully melts the cheese
When the dip comes straight from the fridge, the cheese won’t be fully melted. Warming it up gently melts the cheeses completely for a silky, creamy texture.
It allows the flavors to meld
Chilling causes the flavors to retreat a bit into the background. Warming coaxes them back out. It allows the hot sauce, chicken, and cheeses to meld into something greater than the sum of their parts.
It brings out the aromas
Smell is an important component of taste. Warming the dip releases the savory aromas of the cheeses, hot sauce, and chicken, making it even more appetizing.
It slightly thickens the texture
A warm dip tends to be slightly thicker than a cold one. The melted cheeses act as a thickener to give it a rich, decadent texture.
How to Warm Up Buffalo Chicken Dip
Warming up buffalo chicken dip is simple. Here are some easy methods:
Oven
The oven provides an all-around, gentle heat that warms the dip evenly throughout:
– Preheat oven to 350°F.
– Put dip in a casserole dish or oven-safe pan.
– Bake 15-20 minutes until 165°F internally.
– Stir halfway through for even heating.
Slow Cooker
Using a slow cooker or crockpot frees up your oven space:
– Add dip to a slow cooker and cook on Low for 1-2 hours until heated through.
– Stir occasionally to distribute heat.
– Use a liner for easy clean-up.
Stovetop
Stovetop warming works in a pinch:
– Heat dip in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often.
– Use a double boiler method to prevent scorching.
– Take care not to overheat or burn.
Serving Warm Buffalo Chicken Dip
Once heated, transfer the buffalo chicken dip to a serving dish and dive in! Here are some serving tips:
– Garnish with diced tomatoes or green onion for color.
– Serve with crackers, tortilla chips, celery and carrot sticks.
– Pour into a bread bowl or hollowed out loaf of crusty bread.
– Top with crumbled blue cheese or extra shredded cheese.
– Offer hot sauce on the side for those wanting more heat.
– Pair with crisp cold beer or white wine like Pinot Grigio.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Buffalo chicken dip stores well for 3-5 days refrigerated. Here are some tips for storing and reheating leftovers:
– Let dip cool completely before refrigerating.
– Store in an airtight container.
– Surface may darken; stir before reheating.
– Reheat gently in the oven or slow cooker until 165°F.
– Avoid microwaving to prevent separating.
– Don’t freeze, as texture will suffer upon thawing.
– Consume within 3-5 days.
Recipe and Variations
Here is a classic buffalo chicken dip recipe. Feel free to swap in different hot sauces, cheeses, or mix-ins to customize it to your tastes.
Classic Buffalo Chicken Dip
| Ingredients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cooked chicken, shredded | 2 cups |
| Cream cheese, softened | 2 (8-ounce) packages |
| Ranch dressing | 1/2 cup |
| Hot sauce | 1/2 cup |
| Cheddar cheese, shredded | 1 cup |
| Monterey jack cheese, shredded | 1/2 cup |
| Blue cheese crumbles | 1/4 cup |
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a bowl, combine cream cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce until smooth.
3. Stir in chicken, cheddar, Monterey jack and half of the blue cheese crumbles.
4. Transfer to a casserole dish. Top with remaining blue cheese.
5. Bake 20 minutes until bubbly and browned. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
Variations
– Substitute Greek yogurt for some of the cream cheese.
– Use a different hot sauce like sriracha.
– Add chopped green onions, tomatoes or chopped bacon.
– Replace blue cheese with feta or goat cheese.
– Blend in spinach or artichokes.
– Top with avocado or guacamole before serving.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about warming up buffalo chicken dip:
Can you eat buffalo chicken dip cold?
Yes, buffalo chicken dip can absolutely be eaten straight from the fridge. The flavors will just be more subdued when cold.
Is buffalo chicken dip better hot or cold?
This comes down to personal preference, but most people find buffalo chicken dip to be improved by warming. The hot temperature allows the cheeses to fully melt and the flavors to shine.
Can you freeze buffalo chicken dip?
It’s best not to freeze buffalo chicken dip. The texture tends to break down and separate once thawed. For best results, store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Is buffalo chicken dip spicy?
Traditional buffalo chicken dip has a mild spice level from the hot sauce. But you can adjust the amount of hot sauce to suit your preferences for less or more heat.
What goes well with buffalo chicken dip?
Great accompaniments include crackers, tortilla chips, cut-up raw vegetables, sliced baguette, pita chips or crispy baked chicken tenders. It also pairs nicely with light beers or white wines.
Conclusion
Buffalo chicken dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that can be served either chilled straight from the fridge or warmed up for maximum flavor. Warming gently in the oven, slow cooker or on the stovetop allows the cheeses to melt fully and the ingredients to meld together deliciously. Just be sure not to overheat or the texture can break down. Baked until hot and bubbly, topped with blue cheese crumbles and served alongside crispy dippers, warm buffalo chicken dip is guaranteed to be a hit at your next gathering.