Cottage Cheese Buffalo Dip

My friend texted me at 6 PM on a Sunday asking what I was bringing to the watch party, and I'd completely forgotten about it. I had chicken in the freezer and a half-empty container of cottage cheese that I'd been meaning to use, so I threw together this buffalo dip on pure instinct. Twenty minutes later, it came out of the oven bubbling and golden, and honestly, it became the thing people actually remembered from that night.

I brought this to a potluck once and watched someone take a bite, pause, then immediately go back for more without even dipping anything else first. That's when I realized this dip had staying power—the kind of thing that makes people text you later asking for the recipe because they can't stop thinking about it.

Ingredients

• Cottage cheese (1 cup): This is the secret weapon that keeps the dip creamy without making it heavy, and blending it smooth means nobody will detect it.
• Cream cheese (1/2 cup, softened): The glue that holds everything together with that rich, smooth texture.
• Shredded mozzarella and cheddar (1/2 cup each): The mozzarella melts into submission while the cheddar adds that sharp, salty backbone.
• Cooked shredded chicken (2 cups): Use rotisserie if you're in a hurry, but make sure it's shredded fine so every bite has chicken in it.
• Buffalo wing sauce (1/2 cup): This is where the personality comes in, so taste as you go because some brands pack more heat than others.
• Ranch or blue cheese dressing (2 tbsp): The umami anchor that makes everything taste like it belongs together.
• Garlic powder and onion powder (1/2 tsp and 1/4 tsp): These are the quiet flavor builders that add depth without being obvious.
• Black pepper and salt (1/4 tsp and a pinch): Finishing touches that bring balance to the heat and richness.
• Green onions and blue cheese for garnish: These aren't just decoration, they're little flavor boosts that make people notice you cared.

Instructions

Heat the oven:

Set it to 375°F and let it come to temperature while you prep everything else, so you're not standing around waiting.

Blend the cheeses smooth:

Put the cottage cheese and softened cream cheese in a blender or food processor and run it until there are absolutely no lumps. This step is non-negotiable because lumpy cottage cheese will ruin the whole vibe.

Mix the dip:

Combine your blended cheeses with the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and all the seasonings in a big bowl. Stir until everything is evenly distributed and the color is uniform.

Add half the cheese:

Fold in half of the mozzarella and cheddar, saving the rest for the top layer.

Spread into the baking dish:

Grease an 8-inch baking dish lightly and spread the mixture in evenly, using a spatula to smooth the top.

Top with cheese:

Scatter the remaining mozzarella and cheddar across the top so you get those golden, crispy edges.

Bake until bubbly:

Slide it into the oven for 18 to 20 minutes, watching until you see it bubbling at the edges and the cheese is starting to turn golden.

Optional broil for extra color:

If you want that deep golden finish, crank the broiler to high for 2 to 3 minutes, but don't walk away because it goes from golden to burnt in about 30 seconds.

Garnish and serve:

Let it cool for just a minute, then scatter green onions and blue cheese on top if you're feeling fancy, and surround it with whatever dippers are calling your name.

Save It

Someone once brought this dip to a family dinner when my uncle was visiting from out of town, and he asked for the recipe the same night. A year later, he texted a photo of him making it for his book club, and somehow that felt like a tiny victory for this humble little dip.

Why Buffalo Chicken Dips Work So Well

There's something about the combination of heat, creaminess, and chicken that just works every single time. It's familiar enough that people aren't suspicious, but distinctive enough that they remember it. The buffalo sauce provides the personality while the cottage cheese keeps it from being heavy, so you can actually eat it without feeling weighed down afterward.

Making It Your Own

The beauty of this dip is that it's infinitely flexible depending on what you're in the mood for or what you have on hand. I've made it spicier by adding extra buffalo and a pinch of cayenne, and I've made it tangier by swapping the ranch for blue cheese dressing entirely. Some nights I've even mixed in a tablespoon of hot sauce on top of the buffalo just to surprise myself.

Serving and Storage Tips

This dip is best served hot and bubbly straight from the oven, but it reheats so beautifully that you can make it ahead and just pop it back in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes when guests arrive. Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days, and honestly, it might even taste better the next day when all the flavors have gotten to know each other better.

• Serve it with celery sticks, carrots, tortilla chips, or crackers depending on who you're feeding and what mood you're in.
• If you're bringing it somewhere, transport it in the baking dish and reheat it there so it stays warm and you don't have to worry about transferring.
• Double the batch without hesitation if you're feeding more than six people, because this disappears faster than you'd expect.

Save It

This dip is the kind of thing that makes people feel taken care of at a party, even though you barely had time to think about it. That's the real magic.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use rotisserie chicken in this dip?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works great and saves time while maintaining flavor and texture.

→ How spicy is the buffalo flavor in this dip?

The dip offers tangy heat from buffalo sauce, which you can adjust by adding more sauce or cayenne pepper for extra spice.

→ What cheeses are included in this dip?

The dip features cottage cheese, cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and cheddar for a creamy, melty texture.

→ Is this dip gluten-free?

Yes, the dip itself is gluten-free, but ensure dippers like chips or crackers are gluten-free as well.

→ What are good options for serving this dip?

Serve warm with celery sticks, carrot sticks, tortilla chips, or crackers for a delicious snack or appetizer.

→ Can I prepare this dip ahead of time?

You can mix ingredients ahead and refrigerate; bake just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.