Best Kid-Approved Buffalo Chicken Dip Bread Bowl
A creamy, cheesy buffalo chicken dip baked inside a crusty bread bowl, perfect for game days, weeknights, and family gatherings. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients and is always a crowd-pleaser.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup ranch dressing
- 1 (16-ounce) round sourdough or Italian bread loaf
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Optional garnishes: chopped green onions, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or extra tortilla chips for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the bread bowl: Using a serrated knife, cut a thin slice off the top of the bread loaf (about ½ inch thick). Set the top aside. Gently scoop out the soft bread from the inside, leaving about a ½-inch shell all around. Tear the scooped-out bread into bite-sized pieces and place on a baking sheet.
- Brush the inside of the bread shell and the cut side of the bread top with melted butter. Place the bread bowl and top on a baking sheet.
- Make the dip filling: In a medium mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded chicken, buffalo wing sauce, ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and ranch dressing. Mix until well combined.
- Fill the bread bowl: Spoon the chicken mixture into the hollowed-out bread bowl, packing gently. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
- Bake the bread bowl at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, until hot and bubbly and cheese is melted and lightly golden. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
- Toast the bread pieces: While the bread bowl bakes, place the bread pieces on a separate baking sheet and toast for 5-7 minutes, until golden and crisp.
- Serve immediately: Place the bread bowl on a platter, surround with toasted bread pieces, celery sticks, carrot sticks, and tortilla chips. Serve hot.
Notes
For a milder version, use ⅓ cup buffalo sauce mixed with 2 tablespoons melted butter. To make ahead, assemble dip (without baking) up to 24 hours in advance; refrigerate and add 5-10 minutes to baking time. For gluten-free, use a gluten-free bread loaf. For dairy-free, use dairy-free cream cheese, shredded cheese, and ranch dressing, and brush with olive oil instead of butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup dip (without b
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 18
Keywords: buffalo chicken dip, bread bowl, game day snack, kid-friendly, easy appetizer, party dip