Irresistible Barbecue Chicken Dip: The Ultimate Game Day Appetizer

Get ready for game day and cover all your tailgating needs with this easy, cheesy, and utterly delicious dip!

When it comes to hosting a fantastic gathering, especially for football or any major sporting event, delicious food is non-negotiable. And what’s more universally loved than a gooey, cheesy, flavor-packed dip? While Chicken Wings are a party staple, we’re taking that beloved barbecue chicken flavor and transforming it into an even easier, highly shareable dip that will have everyone clamoring for more. Imagine all the smoky, tangy, and creamy goodness of BBQ chicken, but in a scoopable form perfect for chips, crackers, or fresh veggies!

I frequently use Instant Pot BBQ Chicken for various dishes, from topping Barbecue Chicken Nachos to stuffing into BBQ Chicken Wraps. It’s a versatile base that makes meal prep a breeze. Now, we’re harnessing that same convenience and incredible flavor to create a dip that will be the star of your appetizer spread!

A spoon taking a scoop of creamy barbecue chicken dip from a baking dish, highlighting its cheesy texture. — Scooping up a taste of pure game day bliss.

Why This Barbecue Chicken Dip Will Be Your New Go-To

This Barbecue Chicken Dip isn’t just another appetizer; it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that offers incredible convenience and flavor. Here’s why you’ll absolutely fall in love with this recipe:

Effortlessly Easy: With just a few simple ingredients and minimal hands-on time, this dip comes together quickly. It’s perfect for both seasoned cooks and kitchen novices alike.
Fantastic for Make-Ahead: Hosting a party can be stressful. This dip can be mixed entirely ahead of time, refrigerated, and then baked just before your guests arrive, freeing up your valuable time.
Crockpot Convenience: Keep your dip warm and ready to serve throughout your entire party! Simply prepare the mixture, transfer it to a crockpot, and let it slowly heat, ensuring every scoop is perfectly warm and gooey.
Smart Use of Leftovers: Have leftover cooked chicken from dinner? Or a rotisserie chicken you picked up from the store? This recipe is the perfect way to transform it into something new and exciting, reducing waste and saving you cooking time.
Customizable Flavor: Easily adjust the sweetness, smokiness, or spice level of the barbecue sauce to match your personal preference or your guests’ tastes.
Crowd-Pleasing Taste: The combination of tangy BBQ sauce, rich cream cheese, savory chicken, and melted cheddar is simply irresistible. It hits all the right notes for a satisfying appetizer.

Key Ingredients for Your Delicious Barbecue Chicken Dip

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delectable dip. Most of these are pantry staples or easily found at any grocery store, ensuring a stress-free preparation:

Cream Cheese: The foundation of our dip, providing that essential rich and creamy texture. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
Sour Cream: Adds a delightful tang and extra creaminess, balancing the sweetness of the barbecue sauce.
Barbecue Sauce: The star flavor! Choose your favorite brand – whether you prefer sweet, smoky, or spicy. A good quality BBQ sauce makes all the difference.
Garlic Powder: A foundational seasoning that enhances all the other flavors without being overpowering.
Shredded Chicken: Cooked and shredded chicken is key. Rotisserie chicken is a huge time-saver here, but you can also boil, bake, or Instant Pot chicken breasts/thighs and shred them. About 2 cups of shredded chicken is perfect.
Cheddar Cheese: Provides that classic cheesy pull and savory goodness. Freshly shredded cheddar melts beautifully, but pre-shredded works in a pinch.
Green Onions: Finely chopped, these add a fresh, mild oniony bite and a pop of color for garnish.

A baking dish filled with hot and bubbly barbecue chicken dip, garnished with green onions and a spoon ready for serving. — Warm, cheesy, and ready to be devoured.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Barbecue Chicken Dip

Making this incredible Barbecue Chicken Dip is straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect, bubbly appetizer every time:

Preheat Oven & Prep: Begin by preheating your oven to 350º F (175º C). If your cream cheese isn’t already softened, you can microwave it for 15-30 seconds until pliable.
Combine Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, barbecue sauce, and garlic powder. Mix until the mixture is completely smooth and well blended, ensuring there are no lumps of cream cheese.
Add Chicken & Cheese: Fold in the cooked shredded chicken and 1½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir gently until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the creamy base.
Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the entire mixture into a casserole dish or a 9-inch square baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
Top with Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the dip. This will create a beautiful golden, bubbly crust.
Bake Until Bubbly: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the dip is hot, bubbly around the edges, and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and immediately garnish with freshly chopped green onions. Serve hot with your favorite dippers!

A single tortilla chip generously loaded with warm barbecue chicken dip, showing the texture and colors. — The perfect bite: a chip loaded with creamy BBQ chicken goodness.

Pro Tips for the Best Barbecue Chicken Dip

While this recipe is simple, a few extra tips can elevate your Barbecue Chicken Dip from great to absolutely unforgettable:

Soften Cream Cheese Properly: This is crucial for a smooth dip. If you forget to set it out, cut it into cubes and microwave for 15-30 seconds until soft but not melted.
Choose Your BBQ Sauce Wisely: The type of barbecue sauce you use will significantly influence the final flavor. Experiment with smoky, sweet, or spicy varieties until you find your perfect match.
Freshly Shredded Cheese: While pre-shredded cheese is convenient, freshly shredded cheddar melts more smoothly and incorporates better into the dip without clumping.
Don’t Overmix: Once the chicken and cheese are added, mix just until combined. Overmixing can sometimes make the chicken tough or the dip gluey.
Adjust Seasoning: Taste the mixture before baking and adjust garlic powder or even a pinch of salt and pepper if needed. Remember, flavors often mellow slightly during baking.
Spice It Up: For a kick, add a dash of cayenne pepper, a few drops of your favorite hot sauce, or some finely diced jalapeños (deseeded for less heat) to the mix.

Exciting Variations and Customizations

This Barbecue Chicken Dip recipe is incredibly versatile. Feel free to get creative and personalize it to your taste!

Smoky Heat: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or a teaspoon of liquid smoke for an extra layer of barbecue depth.
Cheese Blends: Experiment with different cheeses! Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack (for spice), or a Colby-Jack blend would all work wonderfully.
Veggies & More: Incorporate finely diced red onion, bell peppers, a small can of drained corn, or black beans for added texture and flavor.
Bacon Bliss: Stir in some crispy, crumbled bacon for an extra layer of savory, smoky deliciousness. Who doesn’t love bacon with BBQ?
Ranch Twist: Add a packet of ranch seasoning mix or a few tablespoons of ranch dressing for a tangy, herb-infused flavor profile.

Frequently Asked Questions About Barbecue Chicken Dip

Can I Make This Barbecue Chicken Dip Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! This dip is perfect for making ahead, which is ideal for party planning. You can mix the entire dip together and place it in the fridge, covered, for up to 24 hours before you’re ready to bake. Just remember that it might need an extra 5-10 minutes of baking time if it’s going straight from the cold fridge into the oven.

Can I Make This Dip In The Crockpot (Slow Cooker)?

Yes, the slow cooker is a fantastic option for this Barbecue Chicken Dip, especially for keeping it warm throughout a party! Simply mix all the ingredients as directed, then transfer the mixture to your crockpot. Top with the remaining cheese, cover, and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours, or on high for 1.5-2 hours, until it’s hot and bubbly. Give it an occasional stir to ensure even melting and heating. Once heated through, switch your crockpot to the “warm” setting to keep it perfect for serving.

What kind of chicken is best for this dip?

Cooked and shredded chicken is what you need. A rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is the ultimate shortcut for convenience. Otherwise, you can boil, bake, or use an Instant Pot to cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, then shred them with two forks or a hand mixer.

Can I freeze Barbecue Chicken Dip?

Freezing this dip is not recommended due to the dairy-heavy ingredients (cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar). The texture of these ingredients can change significantly upon thawing, often becoming grainy or watery. It’s best enjoyed fresh or stored in the refrigerator.

Another shot of a chip scooping up the creamy, cheesy barbecue chicken dip, emphasizing its readiness to be enjoyed. — Every scoop is a taste of pure comfort.

Storing Your Leftover Barbecue Chicken Dip

If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers of this delectable dip, don’t worry! They store beautifully and are just as delicious the next day. Simply transfer any remaining dip to an airtight container and place it in the fridge. It will stay fresh and tasty for 3-4 days.

To Reheat: For smaller portions, the microwave works perfectly. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot and bubbly. For larger amounts, you can reheat it in the oven. Place the dip back into an oven-safe dish, cover loosely with foil, and bake at 300ºF (150ºC) for 15-20 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through and bubbly again.

Serving Suggestions: What Goes Best with Barbecue Chicken Dip?

This Barbecue Chicken Dip is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of dippers. I particularly love serving it with sturdy tortilla chips, but feel free to choose whatever you and your guests enjoy most!

Tortilla Chips: A classic choice, offering a satisfying crunch and perfect scoopability.
Pretzels: Both hard and soft pretzels offer a salty, savory contrast that’s absolutely delicious.
Fresh Veggies: For a lighter, healthier option, offer an assortment of crunchy vegetables like carrot sticks, celery sticks, bell pepper strips (any color!), or cucumber slices.
Crackers: Choose from a variety of crackers – butter crackers, multi-grain, or even water crackers – for different textures and flavor combinations.
Toasted Bread: Slices of toasted baguette, pita bread, or even mini-toasts make excellent dippers.
Potato Chips: A sturdy, ridged potato chip can stand up to the thick and creamy dip.

Close-up shot of the barbecue chicken dip with a chip dipped into it, showing the rich, melted cheese and chicken texture. — Every detail of this dip promises a delightful experience.

More Tasty Appetizer Recipes to Explore

If you loved this Barbecue Chicken Dip, you’re in for a treat! Here are more fantastic appetizer recipes perfect for any occasion:

Baked Mexican Cheese Dip
Easy Refried Bean Dip
White Queso
Crab Rangoon Dip
Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Boneless Chicken Wings
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip

5 from 6 votes

Barbecue Chicken Dip

By
Erin Sellin

Barbecue Chicken Dip – get ready for game day and cover all your tailgating needs with this easy, cheesy dip!

Prep:
10 minutes

Cook:
30 minutes

Total:
40 minutes

Servings:
8

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Equipment

Small Baking Dish

Ingredients

▢ 2 blocks, 8 oz each cream cheese (softened)
▢ 1 cup sour cream
▢ 1 cup barbecue sauce
▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
▢ 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
▢ 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
▢ 2 green onions, finely chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350º F (175°C).
In a large bowl, mix together softened cream cheese, sour cream, barbecue sauce, and garlic powder until well blended and smooth. Add in the shredded chicken and 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until everything is evenly combined.
Pour the mixture into a casserole dish (or a 9-inch square baking dish). Cover with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the dip is hot, bubbly around the edges, and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.
Remove from oven, top with finely chopped green onions, and serve immediately with tortilla chips for dipping.

Notes

To make in the crock pot: Mix all ingredients as directed, then pour the cream cheese mixture into your slow cooker. Top with the remaining cheese. Cover and cook over low heat for 3-4 hours, or on high for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally until hot and bubbly. Switch to the “warm” setting for serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author:
Erin Sellin

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
30 minutes

Total Time:
40 minutes

Course:
Appetizer Recipes

Cuisine:
American

Servings:
8

Calories:
303

Keyword:
Barbecue Chicken Dip

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