This Buffalo Chicken Dip has a healthy twist to it! It has cottage cheese in it! That’s right, I added some calcium rich cottage cheese to my Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip to make cheesy good.
Yes, dear readers, it’s that time again! It’s time for #FreakyFriday! “What’s #FreakyFriday” you ask? Well, it’s hosted by Michaela from An Affair of the Heart. There are 10 bloggers participating in the event this month. If you are new to my blog, welcome! Here’s the 411 on #FreakyFriday.
Each blogger who signs up is assigned a blog from another participant. Like me, for instance. I was assigned Full Belly Sisters. Once you receive your assigned blog, you get to go through their recipes and pick something you want to cook. I had two contenders I was thinking of making, but this Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip won out.
You see, when we got home from Maui I had a freak leg issue. I don’t even know what happened. I just couldn’t put weight on my right leg for some reason and it felt like I’d run a marathon. Which, of course, I hadn’t. Have you seen me? Anyway, being sick or injured always makes me want some comfort food. And that’s when I decided on the Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip.
I’ve been assigned Full Belly Sisters a couple of times. Their blog is so packed with healthy and hearty recipes. Their smoothies look so filling and perfect for breakfast or a snack. I always drool over their delicious, Flourless Chocolate Almond Cake, but I’d have to bake and take because I know the hubs wouldn’t like it. Or he’d eat one piece and that’s it.
I contemplated their Spinach Artichoke Puff Pastry Galette. It just looks like a perfectly light lunch or dinner with a salad. Then, since I have this blue brie in the fridge, I was going to make these Stuffed Endive with Blue Cheese, Pecans and Cranberries, but I couldn’t find endive. How does that happen? Is it not in season or something? I should check on that.
Oh, and yes I did say blue brie. It’s like brie and blue cheese had a baby and it’s this creamy, salty, sharp delicious brie that tastes like blue cheese. if you haven’t tried it, I would suggest you find some. If you like blue cheese, you’ll probably like this one, too. If you like brie, you’ll probably like it. Heck, if you like cheese you’re probably like it. I’ve picked some up and Lidl and Aldi.
Anyway, this healthier Buffalo chicken dip is creamy and delicious. It has the perfect combination of flavors you’re looking for. The Buffalo sauce is not overpowering. There’s plenty of chicken. And there’s the added creaminess of the cottage cheese. While I know this is an unusual addition to a Buffalo chicken dip, but hear me out.
Now, most Buffalo chicken dip is made with cream cheese, ranch or blue cheese dressing, chicken, hot sauce, Colby Jack or cheddar cheese, and blue cheese crumbled on top. Right? Full Belly Sisters used Greek yogurt in their Buffalo chicken dip instead of the dressing. Which is a delicious and healthy ingredient to add to the chicken dip instead of that sodium and fat laden dressing.
But I’m team cottage cheese.
I’ve used cottage cheese to replace some of the cream cheese and sour cream or yogurt in my cheesecakes. Yes. I know what you’re thinking. I thought the same thing, too, at first. But, then I tried it. And it’s a really delicious and rich ingredient to use in place of yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, etc. Once you blend the curds into a smooth and creamy sauce for lack of a butter word you will realize the true potential that is cottage cheese.
Now, I have to confess something to y’all. I don’t like this dip hot so I put all the ingredients together and typically do not heat it up in the oven. I just dip my veggies, chips, or baguette slices right in there (or a spoon). Don’t get me wrong! It’s delicious all heated up and the blue cheese and sharp cheddar get all melty delicious. If you haven’t tried it, just taste it before it goes into the oven and then again when it comes out of the oven and you be the judge.
I hope you will join me in visiting the other #FreakyFriday participants today! Especially Full Belly Sisters. Their blog has delicious recipes, great tips about being a healthy mom during and after pregnancy, and other great lifestyle information. Also, please follow Full Belly Sisters on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram to see what they’ve been up to!
Have you used cottage cheese in place of yogurt or sour cream before?
Ingredients
- 9 ounces shredded chicken breast
- 8 oz. Neufchatel cheese
- 1/3 cup Buffalo sauce
- 3/4 cup nonfat cottage cheese
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In the bowl of a processor combine the Neufchatel cheese, Buffalo sauce, and cottage cheese. Process until smooth. Add the chicken and pulse a few times to combine.
- Coat a shallow baking dish with cooking spray and spoon the dip mixture into the dish. Cover and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
- Bake 25-30 minutes, or until the mixture is heated through. Stir. (For a more decadent version, top the dish with shredded sharp cheddar and stick back in the oven for a few minutes, until the cheese is melted and gooey.)
- Garnish with chopped scallions. Serve hot with celery, carrots, and crackers or chips.
#FreakyFriday Recipes
- A Dish of Daily Life – Cucumber Salsa
- An Affair from the Heart – Arancini (Three Cheese Fried Risotto Balls)
- A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures – Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Bacon Fatte – Spiced Bakery Style Ginger Pear Muffins
- Bowl Me Over – Beef Tips and Gravy
- The Devilish Dish – Chocolate Covered Snickers Strawberries
- Full Belly Sisters – Easy Crockpot Cesar Chicken
- LeMoine Family Kitchen – Frittata Ranchera Black Bean Salad
- Life Currents – Garlic Sesame Noodles
- Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish – Low Carb Cheeseburger Meatloaf
- Mildly Meandering – Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Soup
- Plattertalk – Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread
- Seduction in the Kitchen – Reuben Meatball Casserole
- Take Two Tapas – BLT Bacon Cups with Avocado
- The Foodie Affair – Pineapple Bread Pudding
- West Via Midwest – Spicy Smoke Sauced Shrimp
- Who Needs a Cape? – Cheez-It Fiesta Baked Chicken
Deanna says
Next work potluck I have to make this! My co-workers will love it!
Chris says
I hope they do!
Deanna says
I have to make this for the next work pot luck! It looks so good and I know my co-workers will love it!
Chris says
I hope they like it! Ours does, but I’d step on toes if I made it for work. There’s ONE person who’s makes it. No one else can without pissing her off.
Madi says
This dip looks so addicting! I love the healthier spin on it!
Chris says
Thank you! It was addictive. I couldn’t stop eating it; hot or cold.
Lori Vachon says
I could dive right into this dip! With the added bonus of healthier, this is going to be made frequently!
Chris says
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it.
Michaela Kenkel says
I love buffalo chicken dip – and the fact that you made it healthier? BRILLIANT!
Chris says
Thanks! Full Belly Sisters made it healthier. I just added the cottage cheese.
Michelle says
You’ll never see me turn down buffalo chicken anything. I love making buffalo chicken dips for parties! Excited to have a new recipe to try!
Chris says
They’re perfect for parties! I hope you like it.
Michele @ Bacon Fatte says
I’m totally Team Cottage Cheese, so I know I’d love this dip! I’ve never tried it unheated before, but I’ll definitely give it a whirl now that you mention it!
Chris says
I nibbled on the left overs yesterday straight from the fridge. I still like it better room temp or cold than heated.
Jennifer says
I am totally with you on trying to find something to make as I wanted to make everything on their site! I want to make their spinach artichoke puff pastry galette! This buffalo chicken dip is mouthwatering!
Chris says
That puff pastry is on my list. Seriously. Next time I get their blog I’m making it.
Sandra Shaffer says
Including some cottage cheese is a great way to lighten up this dip. This is a great appetizer to share with guests, but I could also make a meal out of this!
Chris says
You definitely could make a meal of this. Just like a chicken salad or tuna salad. Serve it on some lettuce and you’re good to go!
Angela says
Very much looking forward to trying this recipe! I love party food but not all the heaviness so this sounds like a great solution! So much flavor but lightened up… cant beat that!
Chris says
It is lighter than the usual version, that’s for sure. I hope you like it.
[email protected]'s Dinnertime Dish says
I could devour this dip! It sounds so delicious and I love that it’s made with healthier ingredients!
Chris says
Thank you! I did devour it. The cottage really does make it not so heavy.
debi at Life Currents says
This dip looks fantastic! (And I love dips!) And I love that it’s healthier! Great recipe!
Chris says
Thank you! We love dips, too. They’re so delicious any time.
Candi says
In college our cafeteria had a big salad bar and a big baked potato bar. We used to put cottage cheese on our baked potatoes instead of sour cream. (Back in my ultra skinny days lol) I love Buffalo Dip (cold as well, not hot) I can’t wait to try this healthier version. Hope your leg is feeling better!
Chris says
We always put canned fruit on ours. I never thought to put it on a baked potato. I’ll have to try that.
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks for this healthy version of one of our favorite game-day apps. Thanks too for what will surely create another recipe crisis due to my indecision over all of your delicious recipes; I’m trying this one very soon!
Chris says
You’re too funny, Dan! I literally was LOLing at your post. I hope the decision is easier next time? Though, I think we all face the same issue every time #FreakyFriday comes up.
Debra C. says
i’m all about the healthy right now and this dip is a tasty option! We’ve always eaten cottage cheese but you don’t see it in recipe, I love that you’ve used it here, how delicious!!
Chris says
I grew up with cottage cheese. I had no idea it had gone out of style. It’s so healthy and delicious.
Michele says
I make a salad dressing for blue cheese using cottage cheese and Im amazed at how great it tastes and how much lighter it is! I cant wait to try this dip, its got all the things I LOVE going on!
Chris says
Ooooh! I can’t wait to try that dressing. Is it on your blog?
Justine says
I love cottage cheese, such a smart variation! Thanks for trying out my recipe 🙂
Chris says
Thank you for having such great recipes to chose from!