Buffalo Chicken Dip traces its origins back to the iconic Buffalo chicken wing. Legend has it that the original Buffalo wing was created in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, by Teressa Bellissimo. As the story goes, she concocted the dish using leftover chicken wings, deep-frying them and tossing them in a sauce made from hot sauce and butter. This simple yet flavorful creation gained popularity locally and eventually spread nationwide.

Buffalo Chicken Dip is a modern twist on this classic dish, first appearing in cookbooks and recipe collections in the late 1990s. It takes the essence of Buffalo wings—spicy chicken and tangy sauce—and transforms it into a creamy, dip-able delight. Since then, it has become a favorite appetizer across the United States, evolving with various adaptations and additions to suit different tastes.

Ingredients

- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works well)

- 8 oz cream cheese, softened

- 1/2 cup Buffalo sauce

- 1/2 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing

- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)

- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)

- Tortilla chips, celery sticks, or carrot sticks for serving

• Preparation Time: Approximately 30 minutes

Procedure

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish or oven-safe skillet with cooking spray or butter.

2. Prepare the Chicken: If you haven't already, cook your chicken and shred it into bite-sized pieces. Rotisserie chicken works perfectly for this recipe, providing a convenient and flavorful base.

3. Mix the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, Buffalo sauce, and ranch or blue cheese dressing. Stir until well combined and creamy.

4. Add Cheese: Fold in the shredded mozzarella cheese, ensuring it's evenly distributed throughout the mixture. For an extra punch of flavor, add crumbled blue cheese as well.

5. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish or skillet, spreading it out into an even layer.

6. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is heated through and bubbling around the edges.

7. Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove the dip from the oven and sprinkle chopped green onions on top for a pop of freshness. Serve hot alongside tortilla chips, celery sticks, or carrot sticks for dipping.

8. Enjoy: Dig into this creamy, spicy indulgence and savor the explosion of flavors with each bite.