it's what's cookin: Buffalo Chicken Dip

Why this blog??

Why this blog?? I often find myself stressing over what to make for my family for dinner. We live a busy life and some meals need time to prep, cook and let's not forget shopping for everything you need. I love cookbooks and websites, but there are so many recipe's at times it is overwhelming. The recipe's I will be posting are things I actually made. I will tell you if they are easy or more time consuming. I will also tell you if they are good. Most of these are recipe's I have made for years and continue to make because they are easy or quick and my family loves them and i know yours will too! I will also try to at least once in a whlie try a new recipe I've found on line or in a book and honestly rate it. I always encourage others to send me their favorite recipe's as well! I am a mom... not a chef. But I am a mom who enjoys cooking for her family and making a somewhat healthy meal (some days more healthy than others:) ) In each recipe I will share how I recommend serving it, any substitutions I can think of that are also good, or ways to prepare ahead of time to make the cooking part seem quicker! I am not a photographer, as you can see... most of these pictures are taken from my phone camera, so may not be the best! I love to hear from others who have made these recipes and what they have done to change the recipe... please post comments! Thank you! To "like" me on facebook, go to this link... It's What's Cookin

Monday, January 30, 2012

Buffalo Chicken Dip

I used to make this EVERY sunday during football season! It got to the point that I had to stop making it for a few months because I ate it WAY too much! I'm usually asked to bring this to parties. It's super easy and is typically gone in less than 5 minutes of pulling it out of the oven... which is good because this isn't that great once it sits for awhile. It's MUCH better hot and gooey! I've doubled this recipe for bigger parties as well.

Ingredients:

*1 brick cream cheese- let sit out 5 minutes to soften

*1 lg can chunck chicken (I've used swanson. Typically I boil 1 lg or 2 thin chicken breasts in boiling water with seasoning till cooked through. Then I shred with two forks

*1/4 cup Frank's hot sauce (you can use original or wing sauce... both are great)

*1/4 cup Ranch

*1-1.5 cups shredded cheese (colby-jack blend or cheddar)

*Tortilla Chips

Preheat oven to 350 (If making to bring to a party, I prepare it that morning and cover with tinfoil and put in the fridge. I bring to the party and bake there)

Spread the cream cheese in a 9x9 pan (or similar in size)

Evenly distribute shredded chicken over the cream cheese

Evenly drizzle both the hot sauce and the ranch over the chicken

Top with the shredded cheese. Cover with tinfoil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 5-10 minutes until bubbly.

Serve with tortilla chips. You could also serve with celery and carrot sticks.