In a year without coronavirus, my living room would soon be filled with friends cheering on their favorite college basketball teams. While I’m not much into March Madness, I truly enjoy hosting and creating a delicious spread to feed the hungry fans. 

While keeping social distancing advice in mind, why not continue the celebration? Or at least save this recipe when sports returns. A favorite of mine to serve is a creamy dip that embodies the flavors of the popular sports bar staple: buffalo wings. 

With a cream cheese base, it’s loaded with shredded chicken and cheese and gets its distinct wing flavor from the addition of buffalo sauce. And – depending on what team you’re on – either blue cheese or ranch dressing. I’m a blue cheese girl myself. The ingredients are all mixed together and baked to gooey, bubbly deliciousness. 

It can be served with just about anything: chips, crackers, celery sticks, carrot sticks and baguette slices. Your guests will be dunking nonstop, and you’ll be hailed as the MVP. The dip can be made up to three days in advance and baked when needed. It’s great for potlucks and tailgating and makes a killer grilled cheese sandwich. 

I usually use a rotisserie chicken from Costco when making this dip, although any leftover chicken, or even canned, can be used. Diced celery and green onions can be added. You also can make it in a slow cooker, which is a plus, as it’ll keep it warm. Just dump the mixed ingredients in and cook on high heat until it’s warmed through, then switch the setting to warm for serving. 

BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded 

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup buffalo sauce

1 cup bleu cheese or ranch dressing

1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, divided

Optional toppings: bleu cheese crumbles, chopped green onions, buffalo sauce

For serving: celery sticks, carrot sticks, chips, crackers, sliced baguette

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the chicken, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, bleu cheese  (or ranch) dressing, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. 

Transfer the mixture to the baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated thru. 

Sprinkle with bleu cheese, green onions, and hot sauce, if desired, and serve with veggies, chips, crackers and/or baguette slices. 

Adapted from lilluna.com