Buffalo chicken dip – that creamy spicy cheesy heaven in a bowl – is pretty much the MVP of party appetizers. But what do you serve with it? I’ve been making this dip for years, and let me tell you, finding the perfect sidekick makes ALL the difference!
Whether you’re hosting game night, a birthday bash, or just craving something indulgent on a Tuesday, I’ve got you covered with the best buffalo chicken dip companions These pairings will take your dipping experience from good to “OMG, I can’t stop eating this!”
Classic Veggie Options – The OG Buffalo Dip Partners
1. Celery and Carrot Sticks
Nothing goes with buffalo chicken dip quite like the classic combo of celery and carrot sticks. They’re crispy, refreshing, and honestly, they make me feel a little less guilty about diving face-first into cheese-covered goodness.
- Celery: The crisp, watery crunch provides the perfect contrast to the rich, spicy dip
- Carrots: Their natural sweetness helps cool down the heat of the buffalo sauce
- Pro tip: Baby carrots require zero prep – just open the bag and you’re good to go!
2. Bell Pepper Strips
Bell peppers bring color AND flavor to your buffalo chicken dip spread The sweet, earthy notes and satisfying crunch make them amazing dippers
For extra points, use a mix of red, yellow, and green peppers. Not only do they look gorgeous on your serving platter, but they also add different levels of sweetness to complement the spicy dip.
3. Broccoli and Cauliflower Florets
These cruciferous veggies have tiny “trees” that are PERFECT for catching all that creamy buffalo chicken goodness. Plus, they add a nice nutritional boost to balance out the indulgent dip.
I prefer serving them raw for maximum crunch, but you can also lightly steam them if you prefer a softer texture.
4. Roasted Green Beans with Garlic & Parmesan
Regular raw veggies are fine, but have you tried dunking garlic and Parmesan roasted green beans into buffalo chicken dip? Game. Changer.
These crispy, flavorful beans take less than 30 minutes to make and provide an elevated dipping experience that’ll have your guests talking for days.
Carb-tastic Dippers – For Serious Scooping Power
5. Tortilla Chips
A classic for a reason! Tortilla chips provide the perfect sturdy base for scooping up generous portions of buffalo chicken dip. Their corn flavor complements the tangy, spicy notes in the dip beautifully.
Go for the scoop-shaped variety if you want to maximize your dip-to-chip ratio (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?).
6. Homemade Pita Chips
Store-bought is fine, but homemade pita chips take your dipping game to a whole new level. They’re ridiculously easy to make:
- Cut pita bread into triangles
- Brush with olive oil
- Season with salt and pepper (or get fancy with everything bagel seasoning!)
- Bake until golden and crispy
The result? Perfectly toasted pita chips that won’t break under the weight of your generous buffalo chicken dip scoops.
7. French Fries
Hot, crispy french fries + creamy, spicy buffalo chicken dip = match made in heaven. The combo gives you all the vibes of loaded fries but with way less prep work.
Try these options:
- Classic shoestring fries
- Waffle fries (excellent dip catchers!)
- Sweet potato fries (the sweetness balances the spicy dip perfectly)
8. Soft Pretzel Bites
Soft, chewy pretzel bites are practically BEGGING to be dunked in buffalo chicken dip. Their slightly salty exterior provides the perfect contrast to the creamy, spicy dip.
Making them from scratch isn’t as hard as you’d think, but store-bought works great too. Either way, they’ll disappear faster than you can say “pass the dip!”
Baked Goods – For Sopping Up Every Last Bit
9. Homemade Crescent Rolls
Forget the tube – homemade crescent rolls are WAY easier than you think and SO worth the effort. They’re buttery, tender, and slightly sweet – creating the perfect balance with the savory buffalo chicken dip.
The soft, pillowy texture soaks up the dip beautifully, ensuring you get every last bit of flavor in each bite.
10. Cheesy Breadsticks
Double the cheese, double the fun! Homemade cheesy breadsticks are the perfect vehicle for buffalo chicken dip. The combination creates a mind-blowing flavor explosion that’ll have everyone coming back for more.
Top your breadsticks with mozzarella, butter, garlic, and Parmesan for that authentic takeout taste that pairs perfectly with the dip.
11. White Lily Cornbread
Cornbread and buffalo chicken dip is a match made in southern heaven. White Lily cornbread, in particular, has a more subtle flavor than sweet cornbread, allowing the spicy, creamy dip to shine.
Cut it into manageable squares for easy dipping, or crumble it on top of the dip for a cornbread-buffalo chicken casserole vibe!
12. Bagels
I know it sounds weird, but sliced bagels make EXCELLENT dippers for buffalo chicken dip. Their dense, chewy texture holds up well to the creamy dip, and the hole in the center is practically designed for holding extra dip!
Everything bagels are my personal favorite – the seasoning adds an extra layer of flavor that works beautifully with the buffalo spice.
Protein Power – For a Heartier Spread
13. Chicken Wings
It might seem redundant, but serving chicken wings alongside buffalo chicken dip creates the ultimate buffalo-flavored feast! The crispy wings provide texture contrast to the creamy dip.
You can serve them plain as dippers or tossed in the same hot sauce as your dip for flavor consistency. Either way, provide plenty of napkins – things are about to get messy!
14. Shrimp
For a more upscale dipping experience, try serving grilled or fried shrimp alongside your buffalo chicken dip. The sweet, tender shrimp provides a lovely contrast to the spicy, tangy dip.
Keep the tails on for easy dipping handles, or serve with small dipping spoons so guests can add just the right amount to each bite.
15. Quesadillas
Why dip tortilla chips when you can dip cheese quesadillas? This combo is seriously next-level – it’s like cheese on cheese action that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Cut your quesadillas into triangles for easy dipping, and watch them disappear before your eyes. Fair warning tho – if you serve these alongside veggie options, the veggies will definitely get neglected!
How to Create the Ultimate Buffalo Chicken Dip Spread
When I’m hosting, I like to create a buffalo chicken dip station with multiple dipping options. Here’s my go-to arrangement:
- Place the hot, bubbly buffalo chicken dip in the center
- Arrange different categories of dippers around it:
- Veggie section with celery, carrots, and bell peppers
- Chips section with tortilla chips and pita chips
- Bread section with pretzel bites and breadsticks
- Include small plates and napkins nearby
- Don’t forget serving utensils for each option!
This setup not only looks impressive but also encourages guests to try different combinations to find their personal favorite.
Buffalo Chicken Dip Pairing FAQs
What’s the best hot sauce for buffalo chicken dip?
Frank’s RedHot Original is hands-down the best choice. It’s got the perfect thickness and authentic buffalo wing flavor that makes the dip taste like the real deal.
Can I make buffalo chicken dip healthier?
Sure! Use Greek yogurt instead of some of the cream cheese, opt for reduced-fat cheese, and serve with loads of veggie dippers. It won’t be quite as indulgent, but it’ll still be delicious.
What do you do if your buffalo chicken dip is too spicy?
Add more cream cheese or a dollop of sour cream to tone down the heat. Serving it with cooling dippers like celery or sweet dippers like bell peppers also helps balance the spice.
The Bottom Line
Buffalo chicken dip is amazing on its own, but pairing it with the right dippers takes it to a whole new level of deliciousness. Whether you prefer crisp veggies, crunchy chips, soft breads, or hearty proteins, there’s a perfect dipper out there for every buffalo chicken dip fan.
My personal fave combo? Homemade soft pretzel bites and bell pepper strips for the perfect balance of indulgence and freshness. But honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these pairings!
So next time you whip up a batch of this crowd-pleasing dip, try a few different options and discover your own perfect buffalo chicken dip partnership. Your taste buds (and your guests) will thank you!
Let’s Make Buffalo Chicken!
Even though we all love buffalo chicken wings, and that creamy buffalo chicken dip, you can make shredded chicken with buffalo sauce easily in the Instant Pot. Its a great recipe for easy dinners during the week. Serve this buffalo chicken over a big bulky roll topped with sour cream and chopped green onions. You can also use this buffalo chicken to make a delicious buffalo chicken pizza, a perfect Friday evening dinner!
- Set the Instant Pot to “saute”.
- Add the butter to the Instant Pot and allow it to melt. Once the butter is melted, hit cancel on “saute” mode and place chicken breasts in the bottom of the pot. Top the chicken with the hot sauce.
- Set the Instant Pot to “saute”. Add the butter to the Instant Pot and allow it to melt. Once the butter is melted, hit cancel on “saute” mode and place chicken breasts in the bottom of the pot. Top the chicken with the hot sauce.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and set the cooking time to 22 minutes on high pressure. Make sure the knob is set to the sealing position on the lid of the Instant Pot.
- After the cooking is complete, carefully quick release the remaining pressure.
- Open the Instant Pot and shred the chicken to your liking. Place the shredded chicken back in the sauce and serve immediately.
The good thing about buffalo chicken dip is that you can use canned chicken, leftover rotisserie chicken, or chicken breasts. If you make some meal prep, you can use some leftover chicken breast and mix it in with the rest of the dip ingredients.
If you want to be healthy, of course you can dip carrot sticks and celery sticks in the dip. My favorite things to dip are tortilla chips or homemade crackers.
Yes! You can make this in the slow cooker or crock pot. Add the cream cheese, canned chicken, spicy hot sauce, and ranch dressing into the slow cooker. Set the crock pot to 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
Did you make this recipe and love it?
If you did, dont forget to leave a 5-star review and comment below! Show me your creation on Instagram or Facebook. Just mention @LynnsWayofLife or use this hashtag #lynnswayoflife.
How To Make Buffalo Chicken Dip
Buffalo chicken dip is so easy to make! All you need is chicken, cream cheese, your favorite hot sauce, and few other simple ingredients that are easily found in your local grocery store.
My favorite way to make Buffalo chicken dip is in the Instant Pot. Heres how you do it!
- Add the boneless skinless chicken breasts and ½ cup of chicken broth to the Instant Pot.
- Cover the Instant Pot and set to “High” pressure for 20 minutes (30 minutes if your chicken is frozen).
- After the cooking is completed, release the pressure.
- Take the chicken out of the Instant Pot and place it on a cutting board. Shred the chicken into small pieces.
- Discard the liquid left in the Instant Pot.
- Place the Instant Pot insert back in the Instant Pot.
- Turn the Instant Pot on “Sauté”.
- Add the cream cheese, ranch, and hot sauce to the Instant Pot. Stir until melted.
- Add the chicken and sharp cheddar cheese back into the Instant Pot and stir until completely combined.
- Optional step- Transfer the dip to an oven safe baking dish and top with mozzarella cheese and blue cheese crumbles. Bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted. Serve!
