There’s something irresistibly cozy about slow-cooked dips, especially this Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe. It’s creamy, spicy, and effortlessly made right in your crockpot—perfect for when you want hands-off cooking with maximum flavor.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe is one of those game-changers that surprises everyone—not only because it skips dairy but because it stays incredibly creamy and packed with flavor. That’s what hooked me the first time I made it and keeps me coming back.
- Simple, hands-off cooking: Just toss ingredients in the crockpot and let it do its magic—it frees up your time.
- Perfect dairy-free creaminess: Using mayo and milk alternatives keeps it rich without any dairy, making it allergy-friendly.
- Customizable heat level: You can dial up or down the buffalo sauce to match your spice tolerance easily.
- Great for gatherings: It’s crowd-pleasing, easy to share, and works wonderfully as a snack or appetizer.
Ingredients & Why They Work
What I love about this Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe is how each ingredient brings something special to the table—texture, flavor, or creaminess—without any dairy involved. Plus, everything is easy to find in most grocery stores.
- Chicken breast: The lean protein base that soaks up all the buffalo flavors beautifully while staying tender in the slow cooker.
- Buffalo sauce: Key for that spicy kick and signature tang—we use it twice to layer the heat and flavor.
- Mayo: Adds creaminess and richness that helps mimic the smoothness of traditional dips without dairy.
- Red bell pepper: Brings a mild sweetness and pops of color to balance the spicy notes.
- Celery stalks: Crunchy texture lovers will appreciate these bits—they lighten up the dip.
- Green onions (white and green parts separated): Whites infuse the slow cooker with flavor at the start, while the greens finish fresh on top.
- Unsweetened milk of choice: Coconut or almond milk works great here to thin the dip just enough without adding sweetness.
- Serving veggies and chips: Celery, carrots, mini bell peppers, and tortilla chips provide crunch and are perfect dippers.
- Optional ranch and hot sauce: For extra drizzles, I recommend using dairy-free versions like Primal Kitchen Ranch and Franks Red Hot.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts of this Dip is how forgiving it is to tweaks and fun to make your own. I like to mix things up depending on the occasion and who I’m serving.
- Variation: I sometimes swap in a diced poblano pepper for a smoky twist that brings a nice complexity without overpowering the buffalo sauce’s heat.
- Milder heat option: If you want something less fiery, just cut back on the buffalo sauce and add a touch more mayo—the dip stays just as creamy and delicious.
- Extra veggies: Feel free to stir in some finely chopped mushrooms or zucchini for a veggie boost that blends right in.
- Kick it up: For those who like more punch, I add a sprinkle of cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce before serving.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Step 1: Whisk your buffalo mayo mixture
This step really sets the tone. Combine half the buffalo sauce with a quarter cup of mayo until smooth and creamy. I find that whisking it well here helps the dip blend more evenly as it cooks, avoiding any clumps.
Step 2: Layer ingredients in the crockpot
Place the chicken breast in your slow cooker, then pour in the buffalo mayo mixture. Add finely diced red bell pepper, celery, and the white part of your green onions. Stir gently just to combine—don’t overmix. Set it on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours. The slow cooker will infuse the chicken with spicy, savory flavors and soften the veggies perfectly.
Step 3: Shred the chicken and add final ingredients
Once the chicken is cooked through, take it out and shred it with two forks or chop roughly if you prefer chunks. Toss it back in with the rest of the buffalo sauce, remaining mayo, unsweetened milk, and green parts of your green onions. Give everything a good stir and cook on high for about 30 more minutes. Keep an eye on thickness and add a splash more milk if it feels too thick—a creamy dip is what you’re aiming for.
Step 4: Serve and enjoy!
I usually serve it right from the crockpot to keep it warm and cozy. Sprinkle some extra green onions and drizzle hot sauce or dairy-free ranch on top if you’re feeling fancy. Dig in with celery sticks, carrot sticks, mini peppers, or your favorite tortilla chips for that perfect spicy crunch.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few little tricks to make this Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe turn out perfect every single time—and I’m excited to share those so your dip is just as amazing.
- Even cooking: Use chicken breasts of similar size so they cook evenly in the crockpot without needing extra time.
- Don’t skip stirring halfway: If you can, give the dip a gentle stir a couple hours in to prevent any settling and keep flavors balanced.
- Milk add-in patience: Add the milk slowly when thinning the dip—too much at once can make it watery, so go little by little and check consistency.
- Keep it warm: If you’re making it ahead, try to keep the crockpot on the warm setting while serving so your guests get that creamy goodness with every bite.
How to Serve Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this dip with the green parts of green onion for fresh bite and color. Sometimes, I add a light drizzle of dairy-free ranch or a few drops of Franks Red Hot for extra zing—that combo is basically irresistible.
Side Dishes
Celery sticks and carrot sticks are classic for a reason—they add crunch and freshness. Mini sweet peppers double as dippers and a splash of color. For the carb lovers, tortilla chips are your go-to, especially if you want something salty to balance the heat.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I sometimes serve the dip in a hollowed-out bread bowl lined with foil—it’s festive and fun. Another time, I used individual mini ramekins for a chic, single-serve look that guests loved. Presentation makes a dish feel extra special!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge where it keeps well for up to 3 days. When I reheat it, I stir occasionally to keep the texture smooth and add a splash of milk if it thickened too much.
Freezing
This dip freezes beautifully—I portion it into freezer-friendly containers and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Reheating
When reheating, low and slow works best. Use a stovetop over low heat and stir frequently, or microwave in short bursts, stirring in between. Adding a little milk helps restore that creamy texture without drying it out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken. Just add it during the final mixing stage and reduce the initial cooking time or skip it entirely since the chicken is already cooked.
Unsweetened coconut milk and unsweetened almond milk are my top choices because they add creaminess without sweetness or overpowering flavors. Avoid flavored or vanilla varieties.
Yes! By using compliant buffalo sauce and a dairy-free mayo like Primal Kitchen, this dip fits Whole30 and paleo guidelines. Just skip tortilla chips or choose a compliant seed cracker for dipping.
Absolutely! Add more buffalo sauce or a few dashes of hot sauce after cooking. The mayo and milk help keep the dip creamy even as you increase the heat. Just add a splash more milk if it thickens too much.
Final Thoughts
This Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe has become my go-to for gatherings and lazy nights alike. It’s comforting, spicy, and downright addictive without relying on dairy, which is no small feat. Trust me, once you make this, you’ll keep it in your regular rotation—your friends and family will thank you too!
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Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Dairy Free
Description
This Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip is a creamy, dairy-free appetizer that’s perfect for game days, parties, or holiday gatherings. Made with tender chicken breast, buffalo sauce, and a smooth mayo blend, it delivers a spicy kick without the dairy. Easy to prepare and slow-cooked to perfection, this dip pairs wonderfully with fresh veggies and tortilla chips.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb. chicken breast, raw
- ¾ cup buffalo sauce, divided
- ½ cup mayo, divided
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 3 green onions, ends trimmed and sliced (white and green parts separated)
- ¼ cup unsweetened milk of choice (coconut or almond milk, NOT vanilla)
For Serving
- Celery sticks
- Carrot sticks
- Mini bell peppers
- Tortilla chips
- Ranch and/or hot sauce for drizzling (optional, recommended Primal Kitchen Ranch and Franks Red Hot Sauce for Whole30 and dairy-free)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce mixture: In a small bowl, combine ½ cup buffalo sauce with ¼ cup mayo and whisk together until smooth.
- Add ingredients to slow cooker: Place the raw chicken breast, buffalo sauce-mayo mixture, red bell pepper, celery, and the white part of the green onions into the slow cooker. Stir to combine evenly.
- Cook the chicken: Set the slow cooker on high and cook for 4 hours (or on low for 6 hours) until the chicken is cooked through.
- Shred and combine: Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and roughly chop or shred it. Return the chicken to the slow cooker along with the remaining ¼ cup mayo, ¼ cup buffalo sauce, ¼ cup unsweetened milk of choice, and the green parts of the green onions. Stir everything together.
- Heat the dip: Continue cooking the dip on high for 30 minutes until fully heated through. Add more milk if needed to thin the dip to your preferred consistency.
- Serve: Serve the dip straight from the slow cooker or transfer it to a serving dish. Garnish with green onions and drizzle with hot sauce and/or ranch if desired. Accompany with celery sticks, carrot sticks, mini bell peppers, and tortilla chips.
Notes
- This dip is creamy and flavorful without any dairy, perfect for those who are dairy-free or following Whole30 guidelines.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to suit your preferred spice level.
- Use unsweetened coconut or almond milk to maintain the dairy-free quality and avoid any sweetness that vanilla versions may add.
- If the dip is too thick after cooking, add additional milk a tablespoon at a time to reach your desired consistency.
- Pair with fresh veggies for a healthier snack option or serve with tortilla chips for classic game-day enjoyment.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 185 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 575 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
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