Name: Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (about 1 lb raw); 1 cup paleo mayonnaise; 1/3 cup hot sauce (Frank's Red Hot Original recommended, or more to taste); 1 cup sliced green onions; 1/4 cup nutritional yeast; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon dried dill; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon celery seeds

There's something utterly satisfying about a dip that’s bursting with flavor yet doesn’t leave you feeling weighed down. This Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe is just that—a zesty, creamy delight that manages to be both indulgent and nourishing. It’s a perfect crowd-pleaser with a wholesome twist that you'll want to make again and again.

The image shows a white oval dish filled with a creamy, orange-colored dip mixed with shredded pieces of a cooked ingredient, likely chicken, with green herb bits scattered on top. The dip has a slightly rough texture with some darker orange and brown spots, indicating seasoning and cooking. A silver spoon rests in the dish with some dip lifted up, showing the creamy texture and pieces inside. Around the dish on a white marbled surface are sliced cucumber pieces arranged in a loose pile and some light beige tortilla chips to the side. A striped cloth napkin is visible beneath part of the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m pretty passionate about comfort food that doesn’t sabotage your healthy eating goals, and this dip nails it every time. The combination of rich mayo, spicy hot sauce, and a cheesy nutritional yeast makes for a cozy, creamy dip that’s surprisingly light on guilt.

Dairy-Free and Paleo-Friendly: Finally, a buffalo chicken dip that won’t upset your stomach but will satisfy your taste buds.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these in your kitchen already, making it quick to whip up.
Versatile Serving Options: Whether you’re keto, Whole30, or just looking to snack smarter, it pairs well with veggies, crackers, or tortillas.
Adaptable Heat Level: You can adjust the hot sauce easily to fit your spice tolerance, which I appreciate since I like mine fiery!

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic in this Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe lies in how the components come together to build bold flavor without heaviness. Each ingredient has a specific role, delivering creaminess, heat, or savory depth.

Flat lay of a pile of fresh shredded cooked chicken, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy paleo mayonnaise, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red hot sauce, a handful of vibrant green onions sliced into rings, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden nutritional yeast flakes, a small white ceramic bowl holding beige onion powder, a small white ceramic bowl with fine white garlic powder, a few dried dill sprigs, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse sea salt, a small white ceramic bowl of ground black pepper, a small white ceramic bowl of tiny celery seeds, fresh celery stalks, crisp carrot sticks, and sliced cucumber arranged symmetrically, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cooked shredded chicken: Using pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken saves time and soaks up the buffalo flavor beautifully.
Paleo mayonnaise: Acts as the creamy base but dairy-free, so it’s gentle on digestion while giving body to the dip.
Hot sauce: I lean on Frank’s Red Hot Original for that authentic buffalo zing; adjusting this lets you dial the spice up or down.
Sliced green onions: They add a mild punch and freshness that cuts through the richness.
Nutritional yeast: The secret dairy-free “cheese” ingredient that adds nuttiness and savory umami without extra calories.
Onion & garlic powders: These deepen the flavor, creating that savory backbone every great dip needs.
Dried dill: A subtle herbaceous note that gives it a little extra dimension.
Sea salt, black pepper, celery seeds: These seasonings round out the taste, balancing heat and adding complexity.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to think of this Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe as a flexible framework—once you’ve got the base down, you can tweak it to suit your cravings or what’s in your pantry.

Variation: Sometimes, I swap nutritional yeast for shredded cheddar cheese if I'm not dairy-free—this gives it an even richer, tangier bite that my whole family adores.
Keto tweak: Add a bit more mayo or some cream cheese if you want an ultra-rich dip, just keep an eye on calories.
Heat hack: For a milder dip, I tone down the hot sauce and add a splash of apple cider vinegar for tang instead.
Protein upgrade: Occasionally, I throw in some diced cooked bacon to add smoky depth and crunch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

A white bowl filled with two layers: the bottom layer is creamy and light orange with green herb bits mixed in, topped by a melted cheese layer with a slightly browned, bubbly texture and sprinkled chopped green herbs. A woman's hand is dipping a white speckled chip into the dish, lifting a stringy, melted cheese mix with chunks of herbs and sauce clinging to the chip. The background shows blurred green vegetable slices on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients

Start by shredding about 3 cups of cooked chicken. I usually use leftover rotisserie chicken—it’s tender and full of flavor. If you’re working with raw chicken, pan-fry it until cooked through, then shred. Slice your green onions and have your spices measured and ready to go. Trust me, having everything prepped before mixing saves you a lot of time and fuss.

Step 2: Mix It All Together

In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, paleo mayo, hot sauce, green onions, nutritional yeast, onion powder, garlic powder, dill, salt, pepper, and celery seeds. Stir until everything’s evenly coated. Take a little taste here — adjust the hot sauce if you’re feeling adventurous or want to tame the heat.

Step 3: Bake Until Bubbly & Golden

Transfer the mixture to a small baking dish and spread it out smoothly. Pop it in a 350°F oven and bake for about 20 minutes. Keep an eye on it — you want it bubbly around the edges with a lightly browned top. That’s when you know it’s ready to scoop into your favorite dipping vessel!

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy Warm

Bring it straight out of the oven and serve with celery sticks, carrot rounds, cucumbers, or gluten-free crackers if you're not doing Whole30. The warm dip with crisp veggies is pure comfort with a punch.

Top Tip

Having made this Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe countless times, I’ve learned a few tweaks that make all the difference in flavor and texture.

Use rotisserie chicken: It’s juicy and pre-cooked, making your prep a breeze and the dip tastier.
Adjust heat to taste: Start with less hot sauce and add more—it's easier to build up spice than tone it down.
Don’t skip smoothing the top: Spreading the dip evenly helps it cook uniformly and look appetizing.
Serve immediately after baking: This dip is best warm and bubbly, so plan to serve right away for the best experience.

How to Serve Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love to sprinkle a few extra sliced green onions and a light dusting of smoked paprika on top just before serving. It adds color and a subtle smoky aroma that makes the dip pop visually and flavor-wise.

Side Dishes

This dip pairs beautifully with crunchy veggies like celery, carrots, and bell peppers. When not sticking strictly to Whole30, my go-to sides are gluten-free crackers or soft grain-free tortillas for scooping. For a heartier meal, cauliflower rice on the side is a wonderful, low-carb complement.

Creative Ways to Present

For game day or gatherings, I've arranged this dip inside a hollowed-out round loaf of whole grain bread or even a roasted bell pepper “bowl” for a festive touch. It always sparks conversation and gets everyone reaching for seconds.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover dip in an airtight container in the fridge, where it stays great for up to 4 or 5 days. Just give it a good stir before reheating since the sauce might thicken as it chills.

Freezing

I've frozen this dip successfully when I made a double batch. Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers or bags, then thaw overnight in the fridge. The texture stays good, and flavor is intact, perfect for quick snacks or unexpected visitors.

Reheating

To reheat, I find the oven works best to restore that bubbly finish. Heat at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until warm and slightly crispy on top. The microwave is okay if you’re in a rush—just cover loosely to prevent splatters and stir halfway through.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is this Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe suitable for Whole30?

Yes! This recipe uses paleo mayonnaise and nutritional yeast, both Whole30-compliant ingredients, making it perfect for that reset phase without cravings for dairy or cheese.

Can I make this Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe spicier?

Absolutely! The heat level can be easily adjusted by adding more hot sauce. Just add a little at a time and taste as you go to find your ideal spicy kick.

What can I use if I don’t have nutritional yeast?

If you aren’t dairy-free, shredded cheddar cheese or blue cheese crumbles can be a fantastic substitute. If you want to keep it dairy-free, you might skip the cheese element or add a bit more seasoning to compensate.

Can I prepare this dip in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can mix all the ingredients and cook on high for about 2 hours in a slow cooker. This is an easy set-it-and-forget-it method that keeps the dip warm and delicious for serving.

Final Thoughts

This Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe has become my go-to when I want something that feels indulgent but aligns with my health goals. The ease, flavor, and flexibility make it one of those dishes I love to share with friends and family, especially when I want to impress without hours in the kitchen. Give it a try—you might find it becoming your new favorite dip too!