Air-Fried Buffalo Chicken Dip: A Quick, Easy Treat

Buffalo chicken dip is a tasty treat, perfect for game day or a party. It's easy to make and only takes about 30 minutes. You can use leftover chicken breast or rotisserie chicken, and the dip is loaded with cream cheese, pepper jack, hot sauce, sour cream, and spices. The air fryer is a great way to cook the dip, giving it a crispy, golden top. You can dip anything from crackers to celery sticks into this tasty treat.

Choosing your chicken

The type of chicken you use for your buffalo chicken dip can vary depending on your preferences and what you have available. Here are some options to consider:

Leftover Chicken

If you have leftover chicken, this is a great opportunity to use it up. You can use leftover chicken breast or rotisserie chicken. Ensure you shred the chicken and measure out 1 1/2 to 2 cups, as the amount of chicken can impact the final consistency of your dip.

Canned Chicken

If you don't have fresh or leftover chicken, canned chicken is a convenient option. Look for canned chunk chicken, which is affordable and easy to work with. Drain the chicken before using it in your recipe.

Fresh Chicken Breasts

If you prefer to use fresh chicken, opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You'll need about two small chicken breasts. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper, then steam or bake it. After cooking, shred the chicken and measure out the desired amount. Remember that chicken breast sizes can vary, so measuring is important.

Chicken Tenderloins

If you want to avoid cutting raw chicken, you can buy a pack of fresh chicken tenderloins that are already cut into the perfect size. Alternatively, you can cut your own tenderloins from boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Aim for one-inch-thick tenders.

Chicken Cooking Tips:

When cooking fresh chicken specifically for this recipe, remember to season lightly, as you want the buffalo sauce and other ingredients to shine. Also, be sure to cook the chicken thoroughly before shredding or cutting it into pieces. You can steam or bake the chicken, depending on your preference.

Preparing the chicken

Firstly, decide on the type of chicken you want to use. You can use leftover chicken breast, rotisserie chicken, or fresh chicken. If you opt for fresh chicken, you will need about two small raw boneless skinless chicken breasts. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper. You can either steam or bake it, depending on your preference. Once cooked, shred the chicken and measure out 1 1/2 to 2 cups. It is important to note that the amount of cooked chicken may vary, so measuring is essential.

Alternatively, you can use canned chicken as a convenient and affordable option. Chunk chicken canned are available in most supermarkets and can be easily substituted in the recipe.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can try making chicken tenders or boneless wings. For this, you will need to cut the chicken breasts into one-inch thick strips or tenders. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before proceeding to the next step.

Now, let's move on to the breading process. Set up a breading station with three separate bowls: one with buffalo sauce, one with Panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs, and one with a mixture of egg and milk (optional). Dip the chicken pieces into the buffalo sauce, ensuring they are well coated. Use your fingers to wipe off any excess sauce. Next, roll the coated chicken in the breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coating. If you're using the egg and milk mixture, dip the chicken into it before coating with breadcrumbs.

Finally, carefully place the breaded chicken in your air fryer basket, being mindful not to overcrowd it. Cook at 300°F for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. If you're using an air fryer with a smaller capacity, consider using a double layer rack to ensure even cooking and crisping.

By following these steps, you will have perfectly prepared chicken that is ready to be used in your buffalo chicken dip recipe. Remember to adjust the quantities based on the number of servings you intend to make.

Making the sauce

The sauce is the key to a delicious buffalo chicken dip. It should be tangy, creamy, and spicy—reminiscent of the flavours of Buffalo chicken wings. Here's a step-by-step guide to making the perfect sauce:

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make the sauce:

• Hot sauce (such as Frank's RedHot)
• Cream cheese
• Sour cream or ranch dressing
• Spices: Smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic, black pepper, and dill weed
• Butter (optional)

Preparation

Before you begin, ensure that your cream cheese is softened at room temperature for easy mixing.

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the chicken, hot sauce, cream cheese, sour cream or ranch dressing, and spices. The general rule of thumb is to use one cup of cheese, half a cup of hot sauce, and a third to two-thirds of a cup of sour cream or ranch dressing. However, you can adjust the measurements based on your taste preferences. For instance, if you like it spicier, add more hot sauce.

Microwave this mixture for about 60 seconds. Then, stir it well until all the ingredients are combined. You can heat it in additional 30-second intervals if needed to make the mixing process easier.

At this stage, you can also add butter to the mixture. In a separate bowl, mix melted butter with the hot sauce before incorporating it into the main mixture. This will give your sauce a richer, more indulgent flavour.

Cooking

Transfer the sauce mixture to an oven-safe dish or an air fryer cake barrel. Cover the dish tightly with foil to prevent the top from burning before the dip is heated through. Place it in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, or until hot.

Once it's heated through, uncover the dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Air fry again at the same temperature for another 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly golden brown.

And there you have it—a delicious, spicy buffalo chicken dip sauce!

Combining ingredients

Firstly, gather and prepare your ingredients. You will need cooked chicken, either from leftovers or cooked from raw. If you are cooking from raw, you will need to season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper and steam or bake it. Shred the chicken and measure out 1 1/2 – 2 cups.

Next, take a large microwave-safe bowl and add the chicken, about 1 cup of shredded cheese, hot sauce, cream cheese, sour cream, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic, pepper, and dill weed. The cheese can be pepper jack, cheddar, or Monterey Jack. The hot sauce can be Frank's RedHot Original.

Microwave this mixture for about 60 seconds. Then, stir the ingredients until they are well combined. You can heat the mixture in 30-second intervals to make combining the ingredients easier.

Transferring to the air fryer

Once your ingredients are combined, transfer the mixture to a 7-inch oven-safe dish or an air fryer cake barrel. Cover the dish tightly with foil.

Place the dish in the air fryer and air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, or until hot.

Final steps

After the initial air frying, uncover the dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Place it back in the air fryer and air fry again at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for another 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and lightly golden brown.

Finally, garnish with fresh chives and serve hot.

Cooking the dip

Now that you have gathered and prepared all your ingredients, it's time to cook your buffalo chicken dip!

First, grab a large microwave-safe bowl and add the chicken, about 1 cup of the cheese, hot sauce, cream cheese, sour cream, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic, pepper, and dill weed. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat for about 60 seconds.

Once the time is up, take the bowl out of the microwave and stir its contents until well combined. If needed, heat the mixture in 30-second intervals to make combining easier.

Next, transfer the mixture to a 7-inch oven-safe dish or an air fryer cake barrel. Cover the dish tightly with foil to prevent the top from burning before the middle is cooked. Place the dish in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, or until hot.

Once the dip is hot, uncover it and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Place the dish back in the air fryer and cook again at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for another 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and lightly golden brown.

Finally, garnish the dip with fresh chives and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious and creamy buffalo chicken dip!

Frequently asked questions