If you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser that’s creamy, cheesy, and downright irresistible, you’ve got to try my Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Dip Recipe. It’s one of those recipes that I keep coming back to, whether it’s for game day, casual get-togethers, or just when I want a rich, comforting snack. With minimal prep and all the gooey goodness from melted cheese, tender chicken, and smoky barbecue sauce, this dip seriously hits all the right notes. Trust me, once you make this, you’ll want to keep it on repeat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless & Hands-Off: Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic while you relax or prep other dishes.
- Perfect Party Food: It’s always the first dish to disappear at my family gatherings — guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- Rich, Creamy Flavor: The combination of sour cream, sharp cheddar, and barbecue sauce creates a luscious, crave-worthy dip.
- Flexible & Customizable: You can easily tweak the heat level and ingredients to suit your flavor preferences and dietary needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple ingredients blend together beautifully—each adding something special to the dip. I love using rotisserie chicken because it’s tender and flavorful, plus it saves prep time. Sharp cheddar cheese brings the perfect balance of sharpness and meltiness, while smoky bacon adds that irresistible crunch.
- Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce: I find this sauce has the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, but feel free to use your favorite brand.
- Diced Rotisserie Chicken: Using pre-cooked chicken is a lifesaver here—just shred or dice it for easy mixing.
- Sour Cream: Adds creaminess and keeps the dip smooth.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: I recommend a good quality sharp cheddar for that rich flavor; the cheese is divided so it melts evenly.
- Bacon: Cooked crispy and sliced for topping—adds great smoky crunch.
- Onion Powder: Just a little punch of savory flavor without overpowering the BBQ taste.
- Black Pepper: Freshly cracked if possible, for a nice subtle heat.
Variations
I love making this recipe my own depending on the occasion. Sometimes I like to kick up the heat or change the cheese to shake things up. Don’t be afraid to experiment—you’ll discover new favorites along the way!
- Spicy Twist: I add diced jalapeños and swap out sharp cheddar for pepper jack cheese for a fiery kick that my friends love.
- Bacon Bits Shortcut: On busy days, prepackaged bacon bits work perfectly—still crispy and smoky without the extra steps.
- Ranch Flavor Boost: Mixing in a packet of ranch seasoning adds a tangy, herby layer that’s surprisingly addictive.
- Vegetarian Version: Use smoked jackfruit or shredded mushrooms instead of chicken, and skip the bacon for a plant-friendly option.
How to Make Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Dip Recipe
Step 1: Mix Your Ingredients Gently
Start by adding the barbecue sauce, diced rotisserie chicken, sour cream, onion powder, black pepper, and 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese into your slow cooker. I like to give it a gentle stir—just enough to combine without breaking up the chicken pieces too much. That way, you get nice chunks of chicken in every bite. Resist the urge to add the last cup of cheese just yet—that goes on top later for the perfect melty finish.
Step 2: Top with Cheese and Cover
Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. This step is key to creating that gooey, cheesy crust we all crave. Once the cheese is in place, cover your slow cooker with the lid, and set it to cook on HIGH for 2 hours. Here’s what I always remind myself: don’t open the lid during cooking! It takes a while for the heat to build and melt everything perfectly.
Step 3: Add Bacon & Green Onion, Serve Warm
When the 2 hours are up, sprinkle the sliced crispy bacon and some sliced green onions on top for a fresh pop of flavor and extra crunch. Serve your Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Dip Recipe hot, paired with garlic bread or your favorite crackers. In my house, this combo disappears fast, so if you’re entertaining, have a backup batch ready!
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Dip Recipe
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: It saves you tons of time and gives great texture—my secret to quick, fuss-free dips.
- Don’t Skip the Cheese Layer on Top: That final cup of cheddar melts into a glorious, bubbly crust that’s pure comfort food gold.
- Resist Opening the Lid: I know it’s tempting, but opening it during the cook time will lower the temperature and lengthen cooking time.
- Cook on High for Best Texture: I tried low and slow once, but the high setting gives that perfect melty, creamy dip without drying out.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Dip Recipe
Garnishes
Green onions and crispy bacon are my go-to garnishes. The green onions add a lively, fresh crunch, cutting through the richness, and the bacon delivers that smoky, savory finish every dip needs. Sometimes I also sprinkle a dash of smoked paprika for a subtle extra layer of flavor.
Side Dishes
I love serving this dip alongside garlic bread or sturdy crackers for scooping—anything that holds up to the creamy goodness. Tortilla chips, pretzel crisps, and even crisp celery sticks make great low-carb options that add a crunchy contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like to hollow out mini bread bowls or roll tortillas around a thick scoop of dip for handheld sliders—that way, everyone gets a perfectly portioned bite. You could also stuff jalapeño halves with this dip and bake them for amazing appetizer bites with a kick!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once the dip has cooled, I transfer leftovers to an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It keeps beautifully for up to 4 days. It’s great because you can enjoy it again without fussing over making a new batch.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this dip successfully by portioning it into freezer-safe containers. When thawed overnight in the fridge, it reheats just fine, though I recommend reheating gently to preserve the creamy texture.
Reheating
To reheat, I warm the dip in the oven at 350°F until bubbly (about 15-20 minutes), stirring halfway through for even heat. Microwaving works too if you’re short on time—just do it in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, to avoid overheating.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh chicken instead of rotisserie chicken for the Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Dip Recipe?
Absolutely! If you prefer fresh chicken, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. You’ll want to cook the chicken fully before adding it to the slow cooker or cook it directly in the slow cooker with the other ingredients, though that may require adjusting the cooking time.
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How spicy is this Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Dip Recipe?
As written, the dip has a mild, smoky, and sweet barbecue flavor with a little black pepper heat. If you want a spicier kick, you can add diced jalapeños or swap sharp cheddar for pepper jack cheese.
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Can I make this dip in an Instant Pot instead of a slow cooker?
You can, but it requires some adjustments. Use the sauté function to combine ingredients first, then set to ‘keep warm’ until the cheese melts smoothly, stirring often. Be careful to avoid burning since Instant Pots heat differently than slow cookers.
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What should I serve with Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Dip Recipe?
This dip pairs wonderfully with garlic bread, tortilla chips, crackers, pretzel crisps, and fresh veggies like celery or bell pepper strips. It also works as a fun slider topping or jalapeño popper stuffing!
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How long does the dip stay good after cooking?
When stored in an airtight container in the fridge, this dip stays fresh for up to 4 days. Just reheat it well before serving again, and it’s like new!
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Dip Recipe is one of my all-time favorite go-to dips because it’s easy, delicious, and perfect for sharing. I remember the first time I brought it to a party—people kept coming back for more and asking for the recipe. If you’re craving that mix of smoky, cheesy, and tender chicken comfort food, don’t hesitate to give this a try. It’s a real winner that I’m sure you and your family will adore just as much as mine does.
Print
Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Dip is a creamy, cheesy, and smoky appetizer perfect for gatherings. Made with shredded rotisserie chicken, sharp cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, and tangy barbecue sauce, it’s effortlessly cooked in a slow cooker for a warm, gooey, crowd-pleasing dip. Serve with garlic bread, crackers, or fresh veggies for a savory treat everyone will love.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue sauce
- 2 ½ cups diced rotisserie chicken
- 16 oz. sour cream
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 8 slices of bacon, cooked and sliced
- ¼ tsp. onion powder
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
For Serving
- Sliced green onion
- Garlic bread or crackers
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the barbecue sauce, diced rotisserie chicken, sour cream, 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, cooked sliced bacon, onion powder, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir gently to mix all the ingredients evenly without breaking up the chicken too much.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the mixture without stirring it in. This creates a cheesy layer on top.
- Cook the Dip: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on HIGH heat for 2 hours. Do not open the lid during this time to ensure it cooks evenly and stays warm and gooey.
- Add Garnishes: After cooking, sprinkle additional cooked bacon slices and sliced green onions over the top of the dip for extra flavor and presentation.
- Serve: Serve the dip warm alongside garlic bread or your choice of crackers for dipping.
- Enjoy: Dig in and enjoy the rich, smoky, and cheesy barbecue chicken dip with friends and family.
Notes
- After the dip has cooled, transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warm and gooey before serving again.
- Prep ahead by mixing the dip ingredients ahead of time and refrigerating; then just heat it up before guests arrive.
- Serving suggestions include pairing with tortilla chips, Fritos, crackers, garlic bread, celery sticks, or pretzel crisps.
- Try placing the dip on mini sliders with extra cheese and fresh greens for a flavorful twist.
- Use the dip as a stuffing for jalapeño poppers by cutting peppers in half, filling with dip, and baking until bubbly.
- Variations: Make it spicy by using pepper jack cheese or adding diced jalapeños. Use prepackaged bacon bits for convenience. Add a packet of ranch seasoning mix for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe (about 1/2 cup)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
