Description
Classic Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip delivers a mouthwatering fusion of spicy and creamy flavors. Crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for game day gatherings or casual parties will satisfy you with its irresistible taste.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (473 ml) chicken, cooked and shredded
- 8 oz (227 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (113 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (237 ml) ranch dressing
- ½ cup (118 ml) buffalo sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsps green onions or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat smoker to a consistent 250F (120C), establishing an ideal low-temperature environment for deep smoky flavor infusion.
- Blending: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine cream cheese, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until achieving a smooth, homogeneous texture that promises rich flavor complexity.
- Incorporating: Fold in shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese, ensuring uniform ingredient distribution throughout the creamy mixture for balanced taste in every bite.
- Smoking Setup: Carefully transfer the mixture into a cast-iron skillet or grill-safe baking dish, spreading evenly to guarantee consistent heat penetration and smoking.
- Smoking Process: Position the skillet inside the smoker, allowing the dip to absorb intense wood smoke for 60-75 minutes until edges turn golden and center becomes deliciously bubbly.
- Finishing Touch: Remove from smoker, immediately garnish with remaining cheese to create a temptingly melted surface, then allow 5-10 minutes resting time for flavor melding and optimal serving temperature.
Notes
- Choose the Right Smoker Wood: Select mild woods like apple or cherry to complement the buffalo chicken’s spicy profile without overpowering the delicate flavors.
- Control Moisture Levels: Avoid runny consistency by draining chicken thoroughly and using full-fat cream cheese to maintain a thick, creamy texture.
- Adjust Spice Tolerance: Customize buffalo sauce intensity by mixing mild and hot varieties or using alternative hot sauces for personalized heat levels.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap traditional cheeses with plant-based alternatives and use dairy-free cream cheese to create a lactose-free version of this crowd-pleasing dip.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg