Buffalo Chicken Dip: 63.9% less calories, more protein, and no cottage cheese
I personally like the lower calorie, higher volume types of recipes, but wasn’t sure how other people would like a “healthier” buffalo chicken dip.
So I brought a pan of this version to a party and didn’t mention anything about it being lower calorie until it was half way gone! People were even asking me to send them the recipe after it was gone!
I took inspiration from the Buffalo chicken dip recipe found allrecipes.com
For 10 servings, they use:
* 10 oz canned chicken (285 cal & 52 g protein)
* 3/8 cup hot sauce (0 cal & 0 g protein)
* 8 oz cream cheese (776 cal & 17 g protein)
* 1/2 cup ranch dressing (540 cal & 0 g protein)
* 3/4 cup (113g) shredded cheese (342 cal & 19 g protein)
* Totaling 1943 calories & 88 G protein for the entire pan
I made a few swaps:
* 10 oz canned chicken (kept the same)
* 3/8 cup hot sauce (kept the same)
* 4-8 wedges of light laughing cow cheese (100-200 calories & 8-16 g protein)
* 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt with Ranch packet (75 cal & 13 g protein)
* 3/4 cup (113g) fat free shredded cheese (165 cal & 25 g protein)
* Totaling 625-725 calories & 98-106 G protein per serving
The original recipe was 194 calories & 9 g protein per serving
The recipe with smart swaps is 70 calories & 10 g protein per serving
Directions:
In a pan: Heat the chicken, hot sauce, Greek ranch, Laughing Cow for about 3-5 min. Mix well until combined.
Turn the heat off and mix in half of the shredded cheese (56g) into the pan.
Transfer to a slow cooker or oven
Cook on low or 350 degrees F (175 degree C) for 20-35 min (use your best judgement)
Notes:
I personally like more chicken in my buffalo chicken dip, so usually double the amount
The laughing cow is great for lowering the calories, just make sure to fully mix the cheese with the rest of the ingredients bc it is not so great at mixing in (it will work, just have to chop it in a bit)
I gave a range for the laughing cow (4-8) depending on how creamy you like it