This Cottage Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip is a delicious, high-protein version of your favorite appetizer! It's easy, gluten-free, and it uses NO cream cheese! It's the perfect addition to your game day or potluck spread.
Buffalo chicken dip is the absolute best part of football Sundays in my opinion. Ya the football is cool and all, but there is nothing better than cheesy, spicy buffalo chicken dip. I swear if you are ever looking for me at a party you know you'll find me near the buffalo chicken dip.
After I created the lightened up, higher protein version of my favorite spinach dip I knew the next dip I had to make was going to be a healthier buffalo chicken dip. Which is how I created this buffalo chicken dip with no cream cheese. It's the perfect higher protein, lower fat version of your favorite dip and it''s SO good.
Why This Recipe Is Dietitian Approved
- It's the perfect high protein dip. We swapped out the traditional cream cheese for low fat cottage cheese in this buffalo dip! This gives it a huge protein boost while also decreasing the fat content, so it's a win-win! Plus there's some added veggies for an even bigger nutrition boost.
- It's incredibly simple to make. This easy dip takes 5 minutes to throw together and 10 minutes to cook. It's the best last minute appetizer for any party!
- It's packed with flavor. I promise even though this is a lightened up buffalo chicken dip you are not sacrificing any flavor. This cottage cheese buffalo chicken dip is spicy, creamy and packed with the best spices!
- It's sure to be a crowd favorite. Make this for your next holiday party, game day spread or potluck event and watch how many people fall in love.... you are SURE to be the hit of any party!
The Best Cottage Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Ingredients, Swaps, & Tips
Cottage cheese: This is the secret ingredient that we're swapping for traditionally used cream cheese! It helps to increase the protein content while lowering the fat content.
Buffalo sauce: Any buffalo sauce will work for this buffalo chicken dip air fryer recipe! I personally use Franks buffalo wing sauce, however Primal Kitchen has an amazing dairy-free buffalo sauce as well! I do not recommend substituting buffalo sauce for normal Franks Red Hot sauce or any other hot sauce as the spice level will vary dramatically.
Chicken breasts: All you need for this high protein dip is one boneless, skinless chicken breast. If you would like to make a buffalo dip without chicken feel free to leave the chicken out!
Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper are the only spices you need for the most flavourful dip!
Red pepper: I added in some diced red bell pepper to this buffalo chicken dip to add in some vegetables and colour! If you want to leave this out, feel free!
Cheddar cheese: No buffalo chicken dip is complete without cheese! I personally love the taste of a classic orange cheddar in this dip.
Air fryer: This isn't an ingredient but for this buffalo chicken dip air fryer recipe you will need an air fryer! I personally love this one! However any air fryer will work!
The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
How to make buffalo chicken dip without cream cheese:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F and grease a medium sized oven safe ceramic dish.
- Add your cottage cheese, olive oil, buffalo sauce and spices to a food processor or high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Adjust spices to taste preference
- Pour your blended cottage cheese mixture into a greased oven safe dish, add your shredded chicken, cheese and chopped red bell pepper and mix until evenly distributed. Top with additional shredded cheese.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes or until cheese begins to brown. The dish will be HOT when you remove it so please wear oven mitts!
- Serve with pita, chips, crackers or veggies for a balanced snack!
Substitutions
Gluten Free
This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Dairy Free
I have not found a dairy-free cottage cheese yet so this recipe cannot be made dairy-free.
Nut Free
This recipe is naturally nut-free as written.
How to serve this buffalo chicken dip without cream cheese:
- My favorite way to serve it is with various dippables: sliced pita, crackers, chopped veggies (cucumber, carrots, red bell peppers, snap peas are all great options), and tortilla chips!
- This high protein dip is also a great option as a spread in a wrap or Quesadilla!
- Make this for a fun meal prep lunch! Assemble the dip up in advance prior to the baking step and store it covered in the fridge until you're ready to cook.
Equipment
Storage
Fridge: Store leftover cottage cheese buffalo chicken dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer until heated through.
Freezer: I don't recommend freezing this dip, as the cottage cheese can separate when thawed and affect the creamy texture.
Meal prep: This is a great recipe to prepare ahead for easy lunches, snacks or entertaining! You can assemble the dip up in advance prior to the baking step and store it covered in the fridge until you're ready to cook. Once cooked, enjoy it throughout the week with crackers and veggies.
Top Tip for the best shredded chicken breast
Step one: To make your chicken, first season your chicken breasts with some salt and pepper. Place your seasoned chicken breast into a shallow baking dish and bake for about 15-18 minutes at 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking time, depends on the thickness of the chicken so I always recommend using a cooking thermometer to know exactly when your chicken is fully cooked (the thickest part should because 165 degrees Fahrenheit). Another option is air frying your chicken breasts as well (try air frying at 360F for about 6 minutes per side).
Step two: Shred it up! Once your chicken breast is fully cooked, allow them to cool for a few minutes then it's time for shredding. When I first discovered the stand mixer shredded chicken hack my life was changed. All you need to do is add your chicken breast into the bowl of your stand mixer, use the paddle attachment and turn your mixer to the 'high' setting. *note this can also be done using a handheld mixer in a large bowl, or even by just using two forks to pull apart your chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! As with all of my air fryer recipes you can make this cottage cheese buffalo chicken dip in the oven! Although I always recommend using an air fryer if you have one (to save time and get that crispy cheesy top) an oven will work just fine. I recommend baking your dip in the oven for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit and broiling for about 2 minutes prior to removing (this helps ensure the cheese is nice and bubbly)!
Yes! I HIGHLY recommend blending the cottage cheese with the buffalo sauce and spices before adding the other ingredients. This is the secret to getting that smooth, creamy texture you love in traditional buffalo chicken dip without using cream cheese!
More easy appetizers from a dietitian:
If you loved this cottage cheese buffalo chicken dip you NEED to try these other easy recipes:
- Chickpea and veggie fritters
- The best high protein spinach dip
- Air Fryer pizza bites
- Easy roasted chickpeas
- Garlic and Herb veggie dip
See you in the kitchen!
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make this cottage cheese buffalo chicken dip, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
Cottage Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup buffalo sauce adjust to taste preferences
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup shredded chicken breasts (about ½ lb or 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast) see text above for cooking tips
- 1 cup red bell pepper diced
- 2 green onions sliced
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F and grease a medium sized oven safe ceramic dish.
- Add your cottage cheese, olive oil, buffalo sauce and spices to a food processor or high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Adjust spices to taste preference.
- Pour your blended cottage cheese mixture into a greased oven safe dish, add your shredded chicken, cheese and chopped red bell pepper and mix until evenly distributed. Top with additional shredded cheese.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes or until cheese begins to brown. The dish will be HOT when you remove it so please wear oven mitts!
- Serve with pita, chips, crackers or veggies for a balanced snack!
Ashley says
Can it be made in the oven?
Nicole Addison, RD, MHSc says
Yes! Bake at 400F for about 20 minutes or until browned!