This Healthy Cottage Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip is the perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and cheesy goodness, all while being lower in fat and calories than traditional buffalo chicken dip recipes. Made with just four simple ingredients, this dip is packed with protein and will become your go-to snack or appetizer for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it at a game day party or enjoying it as a protein-packed lunch, this healthy version of buffalo chicken dip is sure to please everyone!
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
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Quick & Easy: With just 4 basic ingredients and 15 minutes of prep work, this dip is ready in no time. The oven does the rest!
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All the Flavor, None of the Guilt: Swapping out heavy ingredients like mayo and cream cheese for protein-packed cottage cheese makes this dip lighter, yet still packed with creamy flavor.
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Versatile: This dip can be eaten on its own with chips or veggies, spread on toast, or tucked into tortillas. It’s incredibly adaptable!
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Crowd-Pleasing: Whether it’s a family dinner, game day, or party, this buffalo chicken dip is sure to be a hit with all guests.
Ingredients
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Canned Chicken: 2 (12.5 oz) cans of white premium chunk chicken breast (or about 2 cups cooked shredded chicken)
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Low-Fat Cottage Cheese: 1 cup (blended until smooth)
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Shredded Cheddar Cheese: ½ cup
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Buffalo Wing Sauce: ⅓ cup (Frank’s Hot Sauce is recommended, but you can use your preferred brand)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Step 1: Prep & Shred
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a large baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Add the canned chicken to a large mixing bowl and break apart any large chunks with a fork.
Step 2: Blend Cottage Cheese
Add the cottage cheese to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, adding a splash of water if necessary to achieve a creamy texture.
Step 3: Mix Ingredients
Add the blended cottage cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and buffalo wing sauce to the chicken. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
Step 4: Bake
Transfer the buffalo chicken dip mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes, or until it’s hot, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once baked, drizzle with an additional swirl of buffalo sauce, ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing, and garnish with chopped green onions.
Serve with tortilla chips, fresh veggie sticks (like celery, carrots, or cucumber), or toasted bread. Enjoy!
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 4-6 servings
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Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
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Cook Time: 30 minutes
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Total Time: 45 minutes
Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations
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Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free cottage cheese and shredded cheese alternative to make this dip completely dairy-free.
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Vegan: Substitute the chicken with a plant-based protein like shredded jackfruit, pulled oyster mushrooms, or tempeh, and use vegan cheeses and buffalo sauce.
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Low-Carb: If you’re following a keto or low-carb diet, use a low-carb buffalo sauce and serve the dip with veggie dippers instead of chips.
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Extra Flavor: Add in some blue cheese crumbles for that classic buffalo flavor, or sprinkle in some garlic powder and onion powder for extra seasoning.
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Extra Spicy: For a spicier kick, add more buffalo sauce or sprinkle cayenne pepper, chili flakes, or a few dashes of hot sauce.
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Expert Tips
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Shred Your Own Chicken: If you’re not using canned chicken, shredded chicken breast is the best option for this dip. It shreds easily and stays juicy during baking.
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Make Ahead: Pre-assemble the dip in your baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking. You can also freeze it for up to 1-2 months and bake it when you’re ready to serve.
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Make it Extra Cheesy: For an extra cheesy version, sprinkle additional shredded cheddar cheese on top before baking. Let it melt and bubble for the ultimate cheesy experience.
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Storage: Store any leftover buffalo chicken dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven at 200-250°F for 15-20 minutes, or microwave in smaller portions.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy, spicy dip is perfect for a variety of occasions:
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Game Day: Pair with tortilla chips, celery sticks, and carrot sticks for a winning combo that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
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Meal Prep: Pack this protein-packed dip in your lunch for a delicious and filling meal, along with some veggies or crackers on the side.
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Creative Leftovers: Use leftover dip as a topping for a salad, spread on toast for a quick lunch, or turn it into a buffalo chicken flatbread pizza.
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Tortilla Twist: Spoon the dip into warm tortillas for a protein-packed twist on a classic dip.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
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Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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Freezing: This dip can be frozen for up to 2 months. Allow it to defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven or microwave.
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Reheating: To reheat, warm the dip in the oven at 200-250°F for about 15-20 minutes, or microwave individual portions until heated through.
FAQs
Is buffalo chicken dip healthy?
Traditional buffalo chicken dip can be heavy and loaded with fat. However, this version swaps in cottage cheese for cream cheese and mayo, making it a healthier, protein-packed dip that’s lower in fat and calories.
Can I use regular chicken for this recipe?
Yes! You can substitute canned chicken with any shredded cooked chicken, such as rotisserie chicken or freshly cooked chicken breasts.
Can I make buffalo chicken dip without cream cheese?
Yes! This recipe skips cream cheese altogether and uses cottage cheese as the creamy base, making it lighter while still delivering that rich texture.
Can you make buffalo chicken dip with cottage cheese?
Definitely! Cottage cheese is blended until smooth, making it a great alternative to cream cheese. It adds protein and a smooth, creamy texture to the dip without the heaviness.
Conclusion
This Healthy Cottage Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip is the perfect combination of spicy, cheesy, and creamy goodness. With just a few simple ingredients, it’s a quick and easy dip that’s packed with protein and flavor. Whether you’re serving it at a party, for a quick meal, or as a healthy snack, this dip will be sure to impress. Enjoy!
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Healthy Cottage Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip
Description
This Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip with Cottage Cheese is the ultimate guilt-free indulgence, packed with protein and flavor. Made with just 4 ingredients – canned chicken, low-fat cottage cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and buffalo wing sauce – this creamy dip is healthier than the traditional version but just as satisfying. Perfect for game day, parties, or as a protein-packed snack, it’s easy to make and sure to be a crowd favorite!
Ingredients
Canned Chicken – 2 (12.5 oz) cans of white premium chunk chicken breast, or about 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
Low-Fat Cottage Cheese – 1 cup (smooth, blended)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese – ½ cup
Buffalo Wing Sauce – ⅓ cup
Optional Garnishes:
Additional buffalo sauce
Ranch or blue cheese dressing
Chopped green onions
Instructions
Preheat Oven:
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prep the Chicken:
Add the canned chicken (drained and shredded) to a large mixing bowl. Use a fork to break apart any large chunks.
Blend the Cottage Cheese:
Add the cottage cheese to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Add a dash of water if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
Mix Ingredients:
Add the blended cottage cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and buffalo wing sauce to the chicken. Mix thoroughly to combine.
Bake:
Transfer the buffalo chicken dip mixture to a greased large baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Garnish:
Remove from the oven and drizzle with additional buffalo sauce (optional). Garnish with ranch or blue cheese dressing and chopped green onions.
Serve & Enjoy:
Serve the dip with tortilla chips, raw veggie sticks (like celery and carrots), or any dippers of your choice.
Notes
Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations:
Dairy-Free: Use plant-based cottage cheese and dairy-free shredded cheese for a completely dairy-free version.
Vegan: Swap cottage cheese with vegan cheese and shredded chicken with shredded jackfruit or soy curls.
Spicy: Add more buffalo sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
Lower-Carb: Serve with vegetable dippers like bell pepper strips, cucumber slices, or zucchini sticks for a low-carb option.
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Expert Tips:
Chicken Options: If you’re not using canned chicken, shredded chicken breast works best as it shreds easily. You can use leftover rotisserie chicken or freshly cooked chicken breasts.
Consistency: Make sure to blend the cottage cheese thoroughly to achieve a smooth texture similar to cream cheese.
Prep Ahead: You can prepare the dip ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. It’s also freezable for up to 1-2 months!
Cheese Tips: Shredding your own cheese is the best way to ensure it melts smoothly, but pre-shredded cheese works too if you’re in a pinch.
Storage and Reheating Instructions:
Refrigeration: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezing: This dip freezes well for up to 2 months. Simply defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven at 200-250°F for about 15-20 minutes.
Serving Suggestions:
This buffalo chicken dip is perfect for:
Game Day: Pair it with other game-day favorites like parmesan artichoke dip, air-fried ravioli, and charcuterie skewers.
Lunch: Enjoy it with veggies, chips, and crackers, or use it as a topping for whole-grain toast or sourdough.
Creative Leftovers: Use the leftover dip as a spread on sandwiches or in wraps, or serve it with nachos for a quick and tasty meal.
