It doesn’t get easier than this BBQ Chicken Dip! The less spicy cousin to buffalo chicken dip, shredded chicken is combined with ranch dressing, bbq sauce, and cheese for a dip the whole family can enjoy.
BBQ and chicken are perfect for each other! For more recipes with this combo, try this BBQ Chicken Pizza or these BBQ Chicken Wraps.
I am a spicy lover. Give me spice, and I’m a happy girl.
But I probably know more people who like things on the mild side than the spicy side.
So what do you do if you are serving a crowd of non-spicy lovers? You make a twist on a favorite dip, and make it crowd friendly!
I’m a huge sucker for Buffalo Chicken Dip. But I know it’s not for everyone. Especially when there are kids involved.
But I can bet that most people really love bbq. So this BBQ Chicken Dip is what happens when you swap out buffalo sauce for bbq sauce.
This dip is hot and cheesy and perfect for any party or game day. Or do what we did, and make a batch where everyone crowds in to eat and then they are not hungry, so we call the dip dinner. It really is that good.
Ingredients
Cream Cheese: This dip is easiest to make if your cream cheese is softened. I just like to leave it out on the counter for a half and hour.
Ranch Dressing: This is prepared ranch dressing. You can use homemade ranch dressing or store bought.
BBQ Sauce: You must use a bbq sauce that you know you like. The flavor will really come through, so choose a bbq sauce that you know you enjoy.
Cheese: I like Monterey Jack cheese for this recipe, but feel free to change it up, if desired.
Chicken: The first time I made this recipe and posted it back in 2012, I used canned chicken. And it’s not that I’m opposed to canned chicken, but using cooked, shredded chicken really makes this dip so much better. I used both white and dark meat from a whole cooked chicken I made, but you could use all white meat if that’s what you have.
Crackers: These are for serving. My favorite is Ritz crackers, but I like to put out an assortment.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Dip
STEP 1: Combine all of the ingredients except for the chicken and part of the cheese. It may look like you can’t get it all mixed, but that’s normal.
STEP 2: Add in the chicken and mix to combine.
STEP 3: Spread the mixture into a baking dish. It fits perfectly in a 9-inch pie dish, but you could also use an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking dish.
STEP 4: Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the dip. Then bake until the dip is hot and bubbling and the cheese is melted.
Tips and Tricks
This works best if you roughly chop the chicken before adding it. If the chunks of chicken are too big, it makes it harder to dip your crackers in.
This is best served hot, when the cheese is nice and melted.
You could also make this in a slow cooker if you want to keep it warm while at a party or get together. You’ll want a smaller slow cooker, otherwise the dip will be too shallow. Simply add the mixture to the slow cooker and cook on low until everything is melted.
Transfer any leftovers to the refrigerator. You can heat up the leftovers in the microwave or in the oven.
More Favorite Dip Recipes
Spicy Sausage Dip
Bacon Horseradish Dip
Mushroom and Chorizo Queso Dip
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BBQ Chicken Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup prepared ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup bbq sauce
- 3/4 cup shredded monterey jack cheese divided
- 1 lb cooked, shredded chicken
- crackers for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- In a bowl, stir the cream cheese to loosen it. Add the ranch dressing, bbq sauce, and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese. Mix to combine.
- Spread the mixture into a 9-inch pie dish. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese.
- Transfer the dish to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 20 minutes.
- Serve with crackers.
Heather@French Press says
that dip looks incredible! I cannot wait to try it.
Joanne says
I agree! I feel like I barely enjoyed summer this year. Here’s to more bbqs and fun dips!
grace says
i’m pretty excited about this. i was going to say that i’ve never had meet in a dip or spread, but then i remembered one of my favorite cheese balls which uses dried beef. so thanks, deborah, two times!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I LOVE BBQ chicken dip! Sounds easy using the cans of chicken. Thank for the idea!
Debs @ The Spanish Wok says
Oh I’m gonna have to try an adapted version of this, thanks have pinned for another day.
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Heather of Kitchen Concoctions says
I’m with ya! I don’t want summer to end this year! I will hang onto every moment of summer I’m sure until I am forced to celebrate Halloween! : ) This dip looks and sounds fabulous! I’m not pregnant but whenever I get around dip I cannot stop snacking. I have a recipe for spinach artichoke dip that I could eat all in one sitting and I’m sure I could do that to this dip!
Angie says
This looks perfect for a party! Yummy!
Monet says
Delicious! I am always looking for fun and tasty dips. So great for entertaining! And we still have a long way to go before it starts to cool down here in Austin! Thank you for sharing with me!
Jersey Girl Cooks says
This is a great idea for those that don’t like spicy. I can see it being just as addicting as the buffalo one. I am savoring the last few weeks of summer. I love that it is light out until 8pm.
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
HOLY HECK! I like bbq sauce WAYYYYYY better than buffalo sauce. You really, really, really knocked it outta the park with this one Deborah. I’m pinning this and MUST remake it asap. My bf and I will go nuts because we are known to make a huge bowl of a dip – guacamole, hummus, spinach dip… and eat the whole darn thing ourselves! can’t wait to try this 🙂
Rachel Cooks says
I’ve never used canned chicken before but this looks like a serious winner!
teresa says
i want that dip in my belly!
Kim says
I made this tonight and we loved it, thanks!!
Got me thinking I should create a pinboard for recipe using leftover chicken.
Deborah says
@Kim, I’m so glad you liked it! And if you need leftover chicken inspiration, I did a post a little while back with my favs – http://www.tasteandtellblog.com/2012/06/24-ways-to-use-shredded-chicken/
Mel says
My husband would die over this – BBQ chicken is one of his favorite flavors. Love this, Deborah!
Kristy says
Perfect timing, our last summer party is next weekend (although I plan to hang on to summer for a while longer!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love Ritz crackers, this dip looks like just the thing to dollop on top!