If you love the fiery, finger-licking goodness of Nashville hot chicken, get ready for a dip that brings all that bold flavor in a creamy, scoopable form! This Nashville Hot Chicken Dip is spicy, cheesy, and downright addictive—perfect for game days, parties, or just because you’re craving something insanely delicious. Trust me, once you dip in, you won’t want to stop!
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Why You’ll Love Nashville Hot Chicken Dip
This isn’t just any dip—it’s a full-on flavor explosion! Whether you’re hosting a gathering, need a fun appetizer, or just want a spicy twist on classic comfort food, here’s why this dip is a must-make:
Spicy & Savory
Inspired by the legendary Nashville hot chicken, this dip packs heat with a perfect balance of smoky, buttery goodness.
Ultra-Creamy
A mix of cream cheese, melted cheddar, and ranch dressing gives this dip the most irresistible texture.
Easy to Make
It comes together in minutes with simple ingredients—just mix, bake, and enjoy.
Perfect for Sharing
This dip is a total crowd-pleaser. Serve it up at game nights, BBQs, or potlucks, and watch it disappear!
Customizable Heat
Adjust the spice level to your liking! Love it fiery? Add extra hot sauce. Prefer it mild? Dial it down with more cheese or ranch.
Ingredients in Nashville Hot Chicken Dip
This dip is loaded with layers of flavor. Here’s what makes it so good:
Shredded Chicken: The base of the dip, bringing in that classic chicken texture. Use rotisserie chicken for convenience!
Cream Cheese: Makes the dip thick, creamy, and ultra-smooth.
Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, adding a rich, cheesy element.
Ranch Dressing: Adds tang and cools down the heat just enough.
Hot Sauce: The key ingredient for that signature Nashville-style heat. Choose your favorite brand!
Butter: Helps balance the spice and gives that signature buttery finish.
Smoked Paprika & Cayenne Pepper: Adds depth, smokiness, and an extra kick of heat.
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Essential for rounding out the bold flavors.
Pickles & Pickle Juice: The secret ingredient! A splash of pickle juice enhances the tangy-spicy contrast, and chopped pickles add texture.
Green Onions: A fresh garnish for a little pop of color and mild oniony bite.
(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s make this bold, spicy dip in just a few easy steps:
Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 375°F to ensure the dip bakes evenly and gets bubbly.
Mix the Base
In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, hot sauce, butter, and seasonings. Stir until everything is well blended.
Add Pickles & Layer the Dip
Fold in chopped pickles and a splash of pickle juice for that signature Nashville kick. Spread the mixture evenly into a baking dish.
Bake Until Bubbly
Bake for about 20 minutes or until the dip is hot and the cheese is fully melted. If you like a crispy top, broil for an extra 2-3 minutes.
Garnish & Serve
Top with extra chopped pickles, green onions, and a drizzle of hot sauce. Serve warm with your favorite dippers!
Nutrition Facts
- Servings: 6-8
- Calories per serving: Varies based on portion size
How to Serve Nashville Hot Chicken Dip
This dip is super versatile—here are some delicious ways to enjoy it:
With Crackers or Chips
Serve with buttery Ritz crackers, tortilla chips, or pita chips for the perfect crunch.
With Veggies
For a lighter option, pair it with celery sticks, carrot sticks, or bell pepper slices.
On a Sandwich
Scoop some onto a toasted bun for a spicy chicken dip sandwich!
With Soft Pretzels
Warm pretzels and this dip? Absolutely irresistible.
As a Topping
Use it as a topping for baked potatoes or spread it on a burger for an extra-spicy twist.
Additional Tips
Adjust the Spice
If you love extreme heat, add extra cayenne or a splash of your favorite hot sauce. If you want it milder, use less hot sauce and add a little extra ranch.
Make Ahead
You can mix everything together and store it in the fridge up to 24 hours in advance. Just bake when you’re ready!
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warm.
Freezing Option
You can freeze this dip before baking—just thaw overnight in the fridge and bake when needed.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use canned chicken instead of rotisserie chicken?
A1: Yes! While rotisserie chicken has more flavor, canned chicken works in a pinch—just drain it well.
Q2: How do I make this dip less spicy?
A2: Reduce the hot sauce, add more cheese, or mix in extra ranch to balance the heat.
Q3: What’s the best way to reheat this dip?
A3: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or in the microwave in 30-second intervals.
Q4: Can I make this dip in a slow cooker?
A4: Absolutely! Mix everything in the slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours until warm and bubbly.
Q5: What’s the best hot sauce to use?
A5: Frank’s RedHot is a classic choice, but any Nashville-style hot sauce will work!
Q6: Can I use blue cheese instead of ranch?
A6: Yes! If you love blue cheese, swap out the ranch for blue cheese dressing for a tangier flavor.
Q7: How long can this dip sit out at a party?
A7: No more than 2 hours at room temperature. Keep it warm in a slow cooker if serving for longer.
Q8: Can I add bacon to this dip?
A8: Absolutely! Crumbled bacon adds a smoky, crispy bite that pairs perfectly.
Q9: What’s a good dairy-free alternative?
A9: Use dairy-free cream cheese, vegan cheddar, and a plant-based ranch dressing for a dairy-free version.
Q10: Can I double the recipe?
A10: Yes! Just use a larger baking dish and increase the bake time by a few minutes.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of bold flavors, this Nashville Hot Chicken Dip is about to become your new go-to appetizer. It’s creamy, cheesy, spicy, and packed with that signature Nashville heat. Whether you’re dipping in with chips, crackers, or veggies, it’s guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering. So grab your ingredients and get ready to turn up the heat—this dip is next-level delicious!
Print
Nashville Hot Chicken Dip
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Nashville Hot Chicken Dip brings the bold flavors of spicy, buttery, tangy hot chicken into a creamy, cheesy dip perfect for game days, potlucks, and parties! Made with cream cheese, Greek yogurt, mozzarella, pickle brine, and juicy diced chicken, this easy dip is the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika, divided
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 3 tablespoons dill pickle brine
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken
- 1/4 cup finely diced dill pickles
Instructions
-
Make the Nashville hot butter:
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
- Stir in the brown sugar, cayenne, and ½ teaspoon paprika.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
-
Prepare the dip base:
- In a skillet over medium-low heat, combine the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, mozzarella, pickle brine, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and remaining ½ teaspoon paprika.
- Stir constantly for about 5 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and smooth.
-
Add chicken and pickles:
- Stir in the diced cooked chicken and chopped dill pickles.
- Cook for 2 minutes until warmed through.
-
Finish with hot butter:
- Pour the prepared hot butter mixture over the dip and swirl it in.
-
Serve & enjoy:
- Serve warm with crackers, tortilla chips, toasted bread, or celery sticks.
Notes
- Make it spicier by adding extra cayenne or a splash of hot sauce.
- Use rotisserie chicken for quick prep.
- For a smoky flavor, try adding a dash of smoked paprika.
- Serve with toasted white bread for a true Nashville hot chicken experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 of recipe
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 45mg