Healthy Cottage Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip

by Kayla Berman on August 29, 2024 0 comments

Get ready to spice up your snack time with my easy 4-ingredient Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe! This spectacularly cheesy dip might taste naughty, but it’s packed with protein and is lower in fat and calories than classic recipes. Bound to be a crowd favorite!

Looking for more better-for-you versions of classic dishes? Check out my Greek Yogurt Alfredo Sauce next!

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

Quick & Easy – All you need are 4 basic ingredients and about 15 minutes of active prep work to make a batch, then the oven does all the rest!
All the Flavor, None of the Guilt – Rather than using heavy ingredients like mayo, sour cream, and cream cheese, I make this healthier buffalo chicken dip light and lovely by swapping in protein-packed cottage cheese. Plus, it tastes just as good (if not better) than traditional recipes!
Versatile AF – While I’ll happily gorge myself eating this cottage cheese buffalo dip by the spoonful, it’s also delicious with chips or veggies, tucked into tortillas, or spread on toast. Read on below for even more ideas!

Ingredients & Substitutions

As promised, you only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this low-fat buffalo chicken dip. Here’s what to grab:

Canned Chicken – This pantry staple is a lifesaver when you need a quick hit of protein. Simply drain the liquid, then shred the tender chunks of chicken breast with two forks. Of course, you’re welcome to use any type of shredded chicken – leftover cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken, or poached chicken breasts instead.
Low-Fat Cottage Cheese – The secret to adding creamy, cheesy flavor that tastes sinful while remaining virtuous. Since we’ll blend it til smooth, either small or large curd will work just fine. You can also use full-fat cottage cheese if you like.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese – While you can certainly use pre-shredded cheese to save on prep time, freshly shredded cheese is usually cheaper and melts better. Feel free to use mild or sharp, white or orange cheddar. You can also swap in any melty cheese you prefer (e.g. colby jack, pepper jack, smoked gouda, etc).
Buffalo Wing Sauce – Frank’s Hot Sauce is my go-to, but you’re welcome to use whichever variety you prefer.

Equipment

How To Make Buffalo Chicken Dip With Cottage Cheese

This yummy snack comes together in just a few simple steps:

Step 1: Prep & Shred. Set the oven to 350ºF and spray a large baking dish with nonstick spray. Add the canned chicken to a large mixing bowl and break apart any large chunks with a fork.

Step 2: Blend cottage cheese in a blender or food processor until smooth. You can add a splash of water if needed.

Step 3: Mix. Add the blended cottage cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and buffalo sauce to the chicken. Combine thoroughly.

healthy buffalo chicken dip ingredients added to a clear glass mixing bowl.

cottage cheese buffalo chicken dip in a mixing bowl after stirring together.

Step 4: Bake. Transfer the buffalo chicken dip mixture to the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Garnish with an additional drizzle of buffalo sauce, ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing, and chopped green onions.

Step 6: Serve & Enjoy! I like to serve mine with tortilla chips and fresh vegetables, like celery sticks or carrots.

healthy cottage cheese buffalo chicken dip in the baking dish before baking.

healthy cottage cheese buffalo dip after baking.

Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations

As much as I love this cottage cheese buffalo chicken dip just the way it is written, there are plenty of ways for you to make it your own. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Dairy-Free – Love creamy things, but dairy disagrees with you? Not to worry! Simply swap in your favorite plant-based cottage cheese and cheddar alternatives.
Vegan – Use plant-based dairy alternatives, then swap in pulled oyster mushrooms, shredded jackfruit, or rehydrated soy curls for the chicken.
Add-Ins – Feel free to get creative here! Try adding some funk with blue cheese crumbles, add a hit of freshness with sliced green onions or chives, or sprinkle in some powdered ranch seasoning for an extra layer of flavor. You could also keep it simple by just adding some onion powder and garlic powder for a small boost of flavor. If you like a bit of crunch, try adding a stalk or two of diced celery or a can of diced water chestnuts. Prefer things extra spicy? Add more buffalo sauce and/or give it a few shakes of cayenne or ghost pepper. Want it extra cheesy? Add a layer of shredded cheddar on top before baking. The options are endless!

Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Expert Tips

If you’re not using canned chicken, remember that chicken breast shreds more easily than chicken thighs.
This cottage cheese buffalo dip is mildly spicy, so feel free to add more buffalo sauce to your liking.
Get a head start. You can pre-assemble your dip in the baking dish, then cover well and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to a month before baking.
Make it melty. While everything is already cooked when it goes in, make sure to bake the dip until it’s nice and bubbly with little golden brown blisters on top for the best flavor.
Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is undeniably convenient, but it’s coated in starch to prevent the shreds from clumping together in the bag. The starch makes it harder to melt and can leave a somewhat gritty consistency. If you have the time, shredding your own will make this low-calorie buffalo chicken dip taste better and will likely save you $$.

Serving Suggestions

Whether you’re chilling at home or throwing the bash of the year, this creamy dip is ready to liven up any meal. Here are some dynamite ways to enjoy it:

Game Day Go-To: Amp up your Super Bowl or game day spread by pairing this dip with other fan favorites like cold parmesan artichoke dip, air fried ravioli, and charcuterie skewers.
Lunch Love: Who says dips are just for snacking? Grab a big bowl of this protein-packed masterpiece and go to town with sides of veggies, chips, and crackers, adding some fruit on the side for a well-rounded feast. It’s also perfect for packing as meal prep in an adult lunchable!
Creative Leftovers: Have some leftover healthy buffalo dip? It’s a blessing in disguise! Toss it into salads, spread it on sandwiches, or add a dollop to just about any dish that needs a protein-packed, spicy kick. It’s also perfect for turning into a buffalo chicken flatbread pizza.
Tortilla Twist: Spoon this hot chicken dip into warm flour or corn tortillas for a protein-packed twist on queso fundido. 😋
Wrap It Up: Feeling creative? Use this dip as the meaty filling for wraps or burritos, pairing it with crunchy shredded lettuce, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, rice, beans, and anything else you crave!
Nacho Average Snack: Dollop the unbaked dip mixture on top of a baking sheet with a single layer of tortilla chips, sprinkle with extra cheese, then bake to perfection. Top with green onions, and black bean corn salsa for a Tex-Mex twist on a classic.
Stuff It: Give my favorite bagel bites and stuffed peppers a spicy twist by using this cottage cheese buffalo dip as your filling.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Baked buffalo chicken cottage cheese dip will keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.
It can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
To serve, allow to defrost overnight in the fridge, then warm in an oven at 200-250ºF for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave smaller portions, or serve it cold!
Alternatively, you may assemble the dip and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1-2 months before baking. Defrost before baking as instructed in the recipe card below.

FAQs

Is buffalo chicken dip healthy? Does it have a lot of fat and calories?

That totally depends on the recipe! Most traditional buffalo chicken dip that I’ve ever tried isn’t particularly healthy. It’s usually loaded with fattening ingredients like cream cheese, sour cream, ranch dressing and/or mayo, and can often be quite salty to boot. My revamped healthier buffalo chicken dip trades out the high-fat ingredients in favor of low-fat, high protein cottage cheese, thus making it lower-fat, lower-calorie, and healthier overall.

Can you have buffalo wing sauce on keto?

Most buffalo wing sauce is pretty low-carb, so it should be fine for keto diets.

Do you need cream cheese for buffalo dip?

Nope! My cottage cheese buffalo chicken dip doesn’t use a lick.

Can you make buffalo chicken dip with cottage cheese?

Heck yeah, you can! The trick is to blend it up till smooth so it acts more like cream cheese.

Related Recipes

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If you make this healthier buffalo chicken dip recipe or any of my other recipes, I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on Instagram so I can see and share your recreations.

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