Super Bowl Must-Have: Welcome to Thrifty, a column where registered dietitian and nutrition editor Jessica Ball, M.S., RD shares tips on how to save money while grocery shopping, make healthy meals for small families, and make eco-friendly choices without drastically changing your lifestyle.
As a football enthusiast, I enjoy all aspects of the game, from watching games to attending games, tailgates, and, most importantly, tailgate food. I have previously written about my favorite tailgate-friendly dishes and game-day-worthy apps, and this article is no exception. There is one dish that I believe is a must-have at any Super Bowl party, and that is Buffalo chicken dip. In particular, I am referring to my Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe.
What sets this recipe apart from other Buffalo chicken dips is the use of a slow cooker, which requires only 15 minutes of active preparation time. Simply set it up three hours before your gathering and you’re good to go. The slow cooker is a very forgiving appliance, so even if you get carried away with cleaning or painting your face in team colors, an extra 30 minutes of cooking time is not a problem.
This recipe is not only easy to prepare but also incredibly delicious. I remember when a roommate of mine once took the entire slow cooker of this dip to the couch because he loved it so much. The recipe calls for chicken breasts, cooked fresh with broth, onions, and jalapeños. I like to add some Spiceology Really Ranch Salt-Free Seasoning mix for extra flavor. This way, the dip has multiple layers of complex and fresh flavors, without the added sodium that comes with using pre-cooked chicken, such as rotisserie chicken.
Lastly, the Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip is highly customizable to your personal preferences. If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, you can skip it or drizzle ranch on top instead. If you like it spicy, try using half Frank’s Red Hot and half another hot sauce of your choice. For a vegetarian option, swap chicken for rinsed canned chickpeas. Topping the dip with green ingredients such as scallions, chives, or celery leaves will bring everything together. I like to serve the dip with celery and carrot slices and tortilla chips, all of which are gluten-free.
With so many recipes vying for a spot at your Super Bowl party this weekend, don’t overlook this easy, flavorful, and delicious Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip. I make it every year, and I promise it will be a crowd-pleaser.
