Buffalo chicken dip is a popular appetizer that combines spicy buffalo wing flavor with the creamy texture of a dip. But if you’re on the hunt for buffalo chicken dip ingredients at the grocery store, you may not know which aisle to check first. Knowing where to find the ingredients for buffalo chicken dip can save you time and frustration on your next shopping trip. In this article, we’ll go over what exactly buffalo chicken dip is, the typical ingredients that are needed to make it, and what grocery store aisles carry those ingredients so you can quickly track them down.
What is Buffalo Chicken Dip?
Buffalo chicken dip is a creamy, spicy appetizer made with chicken, hot sauce, and ranch or blue cheese dressing. It’s inspired by the flavors of Buffalo chicken wings but in a thick, scoopable dip format. Some key ingredients that make up most buffalo chicken dip recipes are:
- Cooked chicken – shredded or chopped into small pieces
- Hot sauce – typically Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
- Creamy base – usually ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
- Cheese – cheddar, cream cheese, and/or blue cheese
- Dairy – sour cream, mayo, or cream cheese to add rich creaminess
The chicken is cooked first and then tossed in hot sauce to coat it in that spicy, vinegary buffalo wing flavor. It’s then mixed with the creamy base ingredients like ranch and cheese to create the classic buffalo chicken dip consistency – hot and creamy with chunks of chicken throughout.
Where to Find Buffalo Chicken Dip Ingredients
Now that you know the key components that make up buffalo chicken dip, let’s go through where you can find each ingredient in the grocery store:
Cooked Chicken
For buffalo chicken dip, you’ll need cooked chicken that is chopped or shredded. Most recipes call for about 2 cups of chicken. You have a few options for finding cooked chicken:
- Rotisserie chicken – Head to the deli section where packaged and hot rotisserie chickens are sold. You can pull meat off a whole rotisserie chicken or buy just a rotisserie chicken breast or two.
- Canned chicken – Check the canned meat aisle for chunks or shreds of pre-cooked chicken breast packed in water or broth.
- Frozen cooked chicken – The frozen food section will have bags of fully cooked frozen chicken strips, cubes or pieces of breaded or grilled chicken breast.
- Leftover chicken – Consider shredding up any leftover cooked chicken from a previous meal.
The deli rotisserie chicken or canned chicken tend to provide chicken that is closest to the shredded or chopped texture needed for buffalo chicken dip.
Hot Sauce
For true buffalo flavor, you’ll need a bottle of Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce. This hot sauce can be found in the condiment aisle alongside other hot sauces. Franks is the signature flavor of Buffalo wings and pairs perfectly with chicken and creamy dips. You’ll typically need about 1/2 cup of hot sauce for buffalo chicken dip, so make sure to grab an appropriately sized bottle.
Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing
Using ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing is key for achieving the cooling, creamy base of buffalo chicken dip. You’ll find large bottles or packets of these dressings in the refrigerated produce section near bagged salads and other refrigerated dressings. opt for the creamiest ranch or blue cheese you can find. About 8 ounces or 1 cup of dressing is needed for most buffalo chicken dip recipes.
Cheddar, Cream Cheese, Blue Cheese
For extra creaminess and signature buffalo flavor, you’ll want to grab some cheese. Most buffalo chicken dip recipes call for a combo of shredded cheddar, cream cheese, and crumbled blue cheese. Look for these in the refrigerated section:
- Shredded cheddar – large bag in the natural cheese section
- Cream cheese – 8 ounce block near the butter
- Blue cheese crumbles – container near the specialty cheeses or salad toppings
About 1/2 cup each of cheddar and cream cheese is typical for buffalo chicken dip. Use as much blue cheese as you like based on your tastes!
Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
For extra richness, you can add sour cream or Greek yogurt to your buffalo chicken dip. Sour cream can be found with other dairy products like butter and milk. Greek yogurt is often with other yogurts and dairy items as well. About 1/2 cup of one of these ingredients can be used.
Seasonings
Don’t forget seasonings! Most buffalo chicken dip recipes include things like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and dried parsley. You can grab small containers of these in the spice aisle to add flavor to your dip.
Miscellaneous Ingredients
Some other small ingredients that may be used in buffalo chicken dip are:
- Celery – for serving with the dip or mixing in. Find in the produce section.
- Green onion – for garnish on top or mixing in. Also in produce.
- Chicken broth – for thinning out the dip. With other canned broths and stocks.
Typical Buffalo Chicken Dip Grocery List
To sum up, here is an overview of the typical buffalo chicken dip ingredients you’ll need to look for and what aisles they’ll be found in:
| Ingredient | Grocery Store Aisle |
|---|---|
| Cooked chicken | Deli section, Canned meat aisle, Frozen foods section |
| Hot sauce | Condiment aisle |
| Ranch or blue cheese dressing | Refrigerated produce/dairy section |
| Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, blue cheese | Refrigerated dairy/cheese section |
| Sour cream or Greek yogurt | Refrigerated dairy section |
| Seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder | Spice aisle |
| Celery | Produce section |
| Green onions | Produce section |
| Chicken broth | Canned broths and stocks |
So on your next trip to pick up ingredients for buffalo chicken dip, be sure to hit up the refrigerated sections for chicken, dressings, and cheese. The condiment aisle for hot sauce, produce for veggies, spice aisle for seasonings, and anywhere you can find cooked chicken like the deli. With this aisle guide, you’ll be able to quickly locate every ingredient you need to whip up the perfect spicy and creamy buffalo chicken dip!
Making Your Own Buffalo Chicken Dip
Now that you know where to find all the ingredients, here is a classic buffalo chicken dip recipe to try at home:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked, shredded or chopped chicken
- 1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot buffalo wing sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Instructions:
- Heat chicken and hot sauce in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, 1-2 minutes.
- In a crockpot or fondue pot, add the cooked chicken with hot sauce and all remaining ingredients.
- Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted and dip is fully combined, about 15-20 minutes.
- Top with extra green onions and serve hot with crackers, chips, or celery sticks.
Tips:
- Use rotisserie or canned chicken for the easiest prep.
- Adjust hot sauce amount to your desired spiciness.
- Add sour cream or Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.
- Use any combo of cheeses based on what you have on hand.
- Serve in a crockpot or fondue pot to keep dip warm throughout a party.
- Garnish with extra celery, green onion, bacon bits, etc.
Enjoy this easy, crowd-pleasing dip on game day, as an appetizer, or for any spicy, cheesy cravings! Grab all the ingredients on your next grocery store trip and whip up this favorite snack.
Conclusion
Buffalo chicken dip brings together zesty buffalo wing flavor with a cool, creamy dip consistency that everyone loves. By gathering ingredients like cooked chicken, hot sauce, ranch or blue cheese dressing, cheese, and seasonings, you can make this addicting game day appetizer at home. Use this guide to locate every component needed for buffalo chicken dip across the various aisles of your grocery store. Understanding where to find each ingredient – from the refrigerated sections to the spice aisle – will allow you to quickly shop for everything you need. So next time a buffalo chicken dip craving strikes, save yourself time wandering store aisles and follow this layout to efficiently track down all the essentials. Grab your ingredients, make this easy recipe, and enjoy spicy, tangy, creamy flavors in every bite!