Buffalo chicken dip is a hearty, creamy and irresistibly delicious snack that has become a staple at parties and potlucks. But if you’re watching your carb intake you may be wondering just how many carbs are hiding in each scoop of this addictive appetizer.
I’m going to walk you through the typical ingredients in buffalo chicken dip, discuss how you can modify it to be lower in carbs, and share some serving tips. Let’s take a closer look at the carb count of this fan favorite!
An Overview of Traditional Buffalo Chicken Dip
The classic recipe for buffalo chicken dip starts with a base of two cups shredded cooked chicken. Next, you’ll need two packages of cream cheese and 1/2 cup ranch dressing to give it that rich, thick, and creamy texture.
For flavor, most recipes call for 1/2 cup of hot buffalo wing sauce. The exact brand and spiciness can vary based on your tastes. Finally, 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese adds even more indulgence and that iconic orange color.
When all the ingredients are combined, you’ll have a luscious, scoopable dip that can be served warm or cold. It’s tangy, spicy, cool, and irresistible. But how does this snack stack up in terms of carbs?
Determining the Carb Count
To calculate the amount of carbs in buffalo chicken dip, we need to look at the nutrition information for each ingredient. Let’s break it down:
- Chicken – Skinless, boneless chicken breast has 0g net carbs
- Cream Cheese – Around 2-3g net carbs per ounce
- Ranch Dressing – Roughly 1-2g net carbs per 2 tablespoon serving
- Buffalo Sauce – Typically 0-1g net carbs for 2 tablespoons
- Cheddar Cheese – About 1g net carb per ounce
Given typical ingredient amounts, a 1/2 cup serving of buffalo chicken dip comes out to roughly 2-4g net carbs. This is a relatively low amount compared to many dips and appetizers. The cream cheese and ranch dressing contribute most of the carbs.
How to Reduce the Carbs in Buffalo Chicken Dip
If you want to lighten up this indulgent snack, there are a few simple substitutions you can make:
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Use full-fat Greek yogurt instead of some of the cream cheese. This cuts down on carbs while maintaining creaminess.
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Opt for a low-carb ranch dressing or make your own with yogurt, spices, and a touch of oil.
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Look for a low-carb buffalo sauce or hot sauce to flavor the dip. Franks RedHot and Cholula are good options.
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Consider part-skim, low moisture mozzarella instead of full-fat cheddar cheese. This saves a gram or two of carbs per ounce.
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Add some blue cheese crumbles for tang without carbs.
Serving Suggestions for Buffalo Chicken Dip
When served in moderation alongside low-carb dippers, this snack can definitely fit into a ketogenic diet or low-carb meal plan. Here are some serving ideas:
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Celery sticks – Celery is very low in carbs and provides crunch.
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Cucumber slices – Another low-carb veggie for scooping up the dip.
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Bell pepper strips – For more color and flavor.
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Pork rinds – These crunchy low-carb chips are perfect dunked in buffalo chicken dip.
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Cheese crisps – DIY keto-friendly crackers for dipping.
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Baked tofu – An alternative protein for dipping.
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Chicken tenders or wings – Dip these keto classics right into the buffalo dip!
Tips for Making and Storing Buffalo Chicken Dip
Preparing this yummy appetizer ahead of time can save you time when guests arrive. Here are some pointers:
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It can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored covered in the fridge until ready to bake or serve.
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For convenience, use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own.
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Let it come up to room temperature before baking to prevent a thin, dried out layer on top.
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Bake until hot and bubbly, then keep it in a slow cooker on warm for serving.
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Freeze leftovers in individual portions for quick snacks and lunches.
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Refrigerate within 2 hours of serving to prevent bacterial growth. Discard if left out too long.
Satisfy Your Cravings the Low-Carb Way
Buffalo chicken dip is easy to make lower in carbohydrates with just a few simple ingredient swaps. A 1/2 cup serving can have as little as 2-4g of net carbs, allowing you to enjoy this tasty snack while sticking to your daily carb target. So go ahead – dig into this warm, cheesy, buffalo-y dip without all the guilt! Moderation and smart substitutions are key for savoring this addicting appetizer.
How to make keto buffalo chicken dip
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep. Preheat the oven and grease a baking dish. Shred the chicken and set aside.
Step 2- Mix. Combine the cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and sour cream in a bowl. Fold in the chicken, shredded cheese, and a handful of green onions.
Step 3- Bake. Pour the mixture into the baking dish and top with blue cheese and shredded cheese. Bake until bubbling. Step 4- Serve. Let the dip cool briefly, then garnish with the remaining green onions and serve.
Can I make this in a crock pot?
Yes, if you’d prefer to make keto buffalo dip in a slow cooker, add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and combine. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Before serving, stir it and garnish with green onions.
- Use canned chicken. I tested it this way, and while the texture was not AS juicy and tender, the results were still pretty darn tasty. If that’s all you have, use it!
- Adjust the heat. I kept the spice to a medium level, but you can add more or less. If you want it really spicy, add a few dashes of Frank’s hot sauce or diced jalapeño peppers.
- Give it some crunch. Fold in chopped celery for added texture.
- Add ranch flavor. Swap the sour cream for my keto ranch dressing.
- Serve with low-carb dippings, like my keto tortilla chips, parmesan crisps, keto crackers, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or broccoli florets.
To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To freeze: Freeze the cooled dip in shallow containers for up to 2 months.
To reheat: Bake the dip or microwave for 20 seconds or until warm.
Traditional buffalo chicken dip may not be keto-friendly if it’s made with buffalo sauce containing sugar or carbs, which is why I prefer making it from scratch.
Regular buffalo chicken dip may contain up to 20 grams of carbohydrates, whereas my homemade recipe contains only 2 grams of net carbs.
I noticed the leftover dip sometimes separates when it’s reheated, but just give it a stir and it should taste great.
Why I love this recipe
- Great for sharing…or not. This recipe makes a generous portion of dip, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to making a half-batch just for me.
- You can also make it in the crock pot. I like using the oven because it’s faster, but I also tested the slow cooker method.
- Easy to modify. If Frank’s buffalo sauce isn’t your thing, you can use any flavored buffalo sauce–so long as there’s no added sugar or sneaky carbs.
- Shredded chicken. I like using store-bought rotisserie chicken so I get a mix of chicken breast and chicken thighs, but you can also use homemade shredded chicken breast.
- Cream cheese. Use full-fat and softened cream cheese.
- Buffalo sauce. Frank’s Buffalo sauce is keto-friendly. If you want to use another brand, double-check the ingredients for added sugar.
- Sour cream. This balances out the tartness of the cream cheese and makes the dip creamier.
- Mozzarella cheese and Mexican cheese blend. I prefer mozzarella for creaminess and another cheese for saltiness. Use shredded cheddar cheese if you can’t find a Mexican three-cheese blend.
- Blue cheese crumbles. Optional, but I love crumbling blue cheese on top for added tanginess.
- Green onions. For garnish.
Buffalo Chicken Dip #onestopchop
FAQ
How many carbohydrates are in buffalo chicken dip?
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Chicken Dip | |
| Cholesterol | 125 mg |
| Sodium | 1035 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 5 g |
Can I have buffalo chicken dip on keto?
Yes, if you’d prefer to make keto buffalo dip in a slow cooker, add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and combine. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Before serving, stir it and garnish with green onions.
How many carbs are in buffalo chicken strips?
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Cholesterol 35mg | 12% |
| Sodium 550 mg | 24% |
| Total Carbohydrate 13g | 5% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
Is buffalo chicken dip unhealthy?
Yes, buffalo chicken dip can be unhealthy, primarily due to its high fat and calorie content, especially when made with traditional ingredients like cream cheese, sour cream, and cheese.
How many calories are in Buffalo Chicken dip?
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. What is my Recommended Daily Intake (RDI)? There are 59 calories in 2 tbsp of Buffalo Chicken Dip. Calorie breakdown: 65% fat, 7% carbs, 28% protein.
Is Buffalo Chicken dip low fat?
However, when it comes to this cheesy buffalo chicken dip, I prefer the classic buffalo chicken wing flavors. The subtle bite and acidity of the hot sauce pairs so well with the creaminess of the other dip ingredients (cream cheese, sour cream, blue cheese… this is not a low fat recipe). Also, people go nuts for this stuff.
What is Buffalo Chicken dip?
This super easy, super tasty buffalo chicken dip recipe is a super cheese dip appetizer that’s super for parties of every kind, including New Year’s Eve or the super-est game of the year, the Big Game. 🙂 This recipe is sponsored by Kettle Brand Chips
How long does it take to cook a chicken dip?
Use a spatula to evenly distribute the dip, and smooth the surface. Place in the oven, and bake for 20 minutes. Broil the dip for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven, and garnish with sliced green onions if desired. Serve warm with veggie sticks, such as celery, or low carb tortilla chips.