There’s something so comforting about a creamy, spicy dip that you can set and forget—enter the Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe. It’s packed with flavor, super easy to make, and perfect for sharing at your next gathering (or just a cozy night in!).
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 quickly became one of my favorite crowd-pleasers, and I bet you’ll feel the same. It’s loaded with that classic buffalo heat but without any dairy, so it’s inclusive and seriously addictive.
- Set and Forget: Toss ingredients in the crockpot, hit start, and let it work its magic—no need to hover over the stove.
- Rich & Creamy Without Dairy: Using mayo and dairy-free milk keeps it smooth and luscious, proving you don’t need cheese for great texture.
- Perfect Party Food: Spicy, tangy, and just the right amount of heat—everyone will be reaching for seconds (or thirds!).
- Customizable Heat: Easily adjust the buffalo sauce to make it mild or fiery, exactly how you and your guests like it.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe balances savory chicken, spicy buffalo sauce, and creamy elements without needing any dairy. The veggies add texture and freshness, making it a well-rounded appetizer or snack. Here’s why each ingredient earns its spot:
- Chicken breast: The lean protein base that absorbs all the buffalo flavor and breaks apart beautifully after slow cooking.
- Buffalo sauce: Brings the signature zesty, spicy kick that livens up every bite.
- Mayo: Key for creaminess—make sure it’s your favorite brand that’s dairy-free and flavorful.
- Red bell pepper: Adds a subtle sweetness and a nice pop of color.
- Celery stalks: Bring some crunchy freshness to balance the richness.
- Green onion: We use both the white parts for slow cooking and the green parts for garnish, layering onion flavor perfectly.
- Unsweetened dairy-free milk (coconut or almond): Helps thin out the dip without losing that creamy texture—just avoid vanilla flavor to keep it savory.
- Celery, carrots, mini bell peppers, tortilla chips: Ideal dippers that complement the heat and creaminess of the dip.
Make It Your Way
I love to switch things up depending on the occasion or my mood. This dip is so forgiving—you can easily personalize it without losing any of its charm.
- Variation: I’ve swapped in shredded rotisserie chicken when I’m short on time, cutting out the slow cooker step—just mix everything in a saucepan gently to heat.
- Heat Level: Feel free to increase or cut back on buffalo sauce—more for a bold punch, less if you want it gentler for kids.
- Add Herbs: Fresh parsley or chives on top brighten the flavor and add a fresh pop.
- Swap Veggies: Try adding finely diced jalapeños or pickled jalapeños for an extra kick followed by cooling dippers like cucumber slices.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Step 1: Mix the first buffalo mayo blend
In a small bowl, whisk together half the buffalo sauce with a quarter cup mayo until smooth and creamy. This blend sets the flavorful base that permeates the chicken as it cooks, so don’t skip this step! The mayo helps mellow the heat just enough while adding decadence.
Step 2: Layer the slow cooker ingredients
Add the raw chicken breast to the crockpot followed by the buffalo mayo mixture, diced red bell pepper, diced celery, and the white parts of the green onions. Gently stir everything together so the chicken is well coated. Don’t worry about shredding the chicken yet—that comes later!
Step 3: Slow cook to tender perfection
Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours until the chicken is completely cooked through and incredibly tender. I usually set it on low if I’m prepping during the day and want it ready by evening. The key is to not overcook and dry it out, so check that 3-hour mark if cooking on high!
Step 4: Shred, enrich, and finish cooking
Carefully remove the chicken breasts and shred or roughly chop them with two forks. Return the chicken to the crockpot along with the remaining mayo, buffalo sauce, dairy-free milk, and the green parts of the green onions. Stir everything together, then cook on high for another 30 minutes to meld those flavors and warm it through. If the dip feels too thick, add a splash more dairy-free milk to loosen it up.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy
You can serve the dip straight from the slow cooker, keeping it warm (and cozy), or transfer it to a pretty dish for the table. Garnish with extra green onions and a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce or ranch. It’s ready for all your dippers—celery sticks, carrot sticks, mini peppers, or even tortilla chips.
Top Tip
Making this Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe, I learned some tricks that really elevate the results and make your kitchen life easier—let me share them so you avoid common pitfalls!
- Don’t Skip the Dairy-Free Milk: Adding a splash at the end thins the dip to just the right consistency without watering it down, making every bite velvety smooth.
- Use Fresh Veggies: The bell pepper and celery pieces add a cool crunch that cuts through the richness—make sure to dice them finely so they’re evenly scattered throughout.
- Keep an Eye on Cooking Time: Overcooked chicken gets dry even in crockpots. Set a timer and check at the shorter end of the cooking window—you want tender, juicy shreds, not stringy bits.
- Prep Ahead: I often prep the veggie chopping and mixing the sauce the day before, so when it’s party day, it’s all go-go-go in the crockpot!
How to Serve Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish this dip with freshly sliced green onions—adds color and a pop of mild onion flavor. A drizzle of Franks Red Hot Sauce or dairy-free ranch (like Primal Kitchen) is my go-to for an extra layer of tang and creaminess. A sprinkling of chopped fresh parsley can also make it lively and beautiful.
Side Dishes
Besides the classic celery and carrot sticks, I love serving this dip with crunchy mini bell peppers and sturdy tortilla chips that hold up to scooping. If you want something a bit different, try cucumber slices or baked sweet potato chips for a little sweetness contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For game day or parties, I’ve served this dip inside half mini pumpkins lined with parchment, which makes a festive, eye-catching centerpiece. Another fun way is to put the dip in small ramekins surrounded by an array of colorful veggies and chips for a vibrant appetizer spread that invites guests to graze.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers are fantastic—just transfer the dip to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. I like to keep the veggies for dipping separate so they stay crisp, but if you want to save time, it’s all good in the fridge together, just note the dippers may soften.
Freezing
This dip freezes well! Portion it into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. Just stir well—it might thicken a bit, so add a splash of dairy-free milk when warming.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently. Adding a touch of dairy-free milk keeps it creamy and prevents the dip from drying out as it warms back up.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Using rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken saves time—just add it in the last hour of cooking to let the flavors meld instead of the full slow cook time.
I love using a good-quality, creamy dairy-free mayo like Follow Your Heart or Vegenaise for richness and flavor. It really helps keep the dip smooth and tangy without any dairy.
Definitely! The level of heat depends on how much buffalo sauce you use. Feel free to adjust it to your personal taste. If you want milder, reduce the buffalo sauce and add a bit more mayo to balance the heat.
Yes! Unsweetened cashew milk or oat milk works great here too, just make sure it’s unsweetened and unflavored to keep the dip savory.
Final Thoughts
This Dairy-Free Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe feels like a little celebration in every bite—the perfect combo of spicy, creamy, and downright addictive. I genuinely look forward to making it each time, whether it’s a laid-back night at home or party time. Give it a try—you’ll have people asking you to bring this dip every chance they get!
Print
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 day or holiday gatherings. Made with tender chicken breast, buffalo sauce, and a blend of dairy-free mayo and unsweetened milk, it offers the perfect balance of heat and creaminess without any dairy. Easy to prepare in a slow cooker, it's served with fresh veggies and tortilla chips for dipping.
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
- Optional: Ranch dressing (e.g., Primal Kitchen Ranch) and/or hot sauce (e.g., Franks Red Hot Sauce) for drizzling
Instructions
- Mix Buffalo Sauce and Mayo: In a small bowl, combine ½ cup buffalo sauce with ¼ cup mayo and whisk until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Add the raw chicken breast, buffalo sauce-mayo mixture, diced red bell pepper, diced celery, and the white parts of the green onions to the slow cooker. Stir to mix evenly.
- Cook the Chicken: Set slow cooker to high and cook for 4 hours (or low for 6 hours) until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender.
- Shred the Chicken and Add Remaining Ingredients: Remove chicken from slow cooker and roughly chop or shred it. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker along with remaining ¼ cup mayo, ¼ cup buffalo sauce, ¼ cup unsweetened milk of choice, and the green parts of the green onions. Stir to combine well.
- Heat Through: Continue cooking on high for about 30 minutes or until the mixture is heated through and creamy. Add extra milk if necessary to achieve desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve directly from the slow cooker or transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with additional green onions and optionally drizzle with ranch dressing and/or hot sauce. Accompany with celery sticks, carrot sticks, mini bell peppers, and tortilla chips.
Notes
- This recipe is excellent for those avoiding dairy but still wanting a creamy buffalo dip experience.
- Use unsweetened, unflavored non-dairy milk such as coconut or almond milk to maintain flavor balance.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to customize spiciness to your preference.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- For Whole30 or dairy-free compliant options, use compliant ranch and hot sauces like Primal Kitchen Ranch and Franks Red Hot Sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 of recipe - about 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: 45 mg
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