Thanksgiving Leftover Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
This easy, crowd-pleasing buffalo chicken dip transforms leftover Thanksgiving turkey into a cheesy, spicy, and irresistible party appetizer. Perfect for game day, potlucks, or cozy nights in, it’s a fast and flavorful way to use up holiday leftovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or chopped (or rotisserie chicken)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot, adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons extra shredded cheddar (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons extra blue cheese crumbles (for topping)
- Chopped green onions or fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Tortilla chips, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or toasted baguette slices (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate or 8×8-inch baking dish with oil or nonstick spray.
- Place cream cheese in a mixing bowl and let it come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes, or microwave for 10-15 seconds until soft.
- Add sour cream or Greek yogurt to the softened cream cheese. Blend with an electric hand mixer or sturdy spatula until completely smooth.
- Pour in buffalo wing sauce and mix until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust heat as desired.
- Stir in shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and blue cheese (if using), reserving a little cheddar and blue cheese for topping.
- Fold in cooked turkey gently with a spatula to keep the texture chunky.
- Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle reserved cheddar and blue cheese on top.
- Place the dish on a baking sheet and bake for 22-28 minutes, until hot, bubbly, and lightly browned on top. For extra browning, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley.
- Serve hot with tortilla chips, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or toasted baguette slices.
Notes
Let cream cheese come to room temperature for a smooth dip. Adjust buffalo sauce for desired spice level. For a lighter dip, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. The dip can be made ahead and reheated. For gluten-free, ensure your buffalo sauce and dippers are certified gluten-free. Add extra veggies or swap cheeses for variations. If using dry turkey, toss it in a little olive oil before adding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/3 cup (1/8th of recipe)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 15
Keywords: buffalo chicken dip, leftover turkey, Thanksgiving appetizer, party dip, easy buffalo dip, game day snack, cheesy dip, spicy dip, holiday leftovers