Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip Bread Bowl
A creamy, spicy buffalo chicken dip served in a crispy artisan bread bowl, perfect for game nights and casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large artisan round bread loaf (about 12 oz / 340 g), crusty with a firm interior
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great for ease)
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Fresh chives or green onions, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Using a serrated knife, slice off the top third of the bread loaf and set aside the lid. Hollow out the inside carefully, leaving about a 1-inch thick shell all around to hold the dip. Save the bread chunks for dipping or toast as croutons.
- Brush the inside of the hollowed bread with 1 tablespoon melted butter. Place the bread bowl and the lid on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes to toast.
- In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Stir until smooth and creamy. Optionally, pulse briefly in a food processor or beat with a hand mixer for extra smoothness.
- Fold in shredded chicken, cheddar, and mozzarella cheese until evenly combined. Add a splash of ranch dressing or buffalo sauce if mixture is too stiff.
- Spoon the buffalo chicken dip into the toasted bread bowl, pressing gently to pack it in but not overflow. Replace the bread lid on the side of the baking sheet (optional).
- Return the filled bread bowl to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden on top.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle chopped chives or green onions over the top, and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm with bread chunks, celery sticks, or crackers.
Notes
Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth blending. Toasting the bread bowl prevents sogginess. Shred chicken finely for creamier texture. Adjust buffalo sauce for desired heat level. Watch the dip in the last 5 minutes to avoid burning cheese; tent with foil if needed. Leftover dip reheats well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the bread bow
- Calories: 350400
- Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 25
Keywords: buffalo chicken dip, bread bowl, creamy dip, game day recipe, appetizer, spicy dip, easy recipe