Buffalo Chicken Corn Dip — the ultimate appetizer for game days, holiday parties, and nights with friends. It’s creamy, cheesy, spicy, and so addictive. The secret? Sweet corn. Fresh or frozen corn adds an extra layer of flavor that makes this dip even more delicious than the classic. The corn gets mixed with cream cheese, shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, green onions, cilantro, and a touch of ranch (try my Greek yogurt ranch!). Then it’s topped with melty cheese and baked until golden and bubbly. Serve with hard pretzel twists for scooping (my secret, you have to try it!). Promise you’ve got a guaranteed crowd favorite!

This is one of those easy-as-can-be recipes you’ll find yourself making again and again, especially through fall and winter. Honestly, I can’t believe I’ve never shared a buffalo chicken dip before. Over the years I’ve shared pizzas, tacos, sliders, and every kind of game-day food, but somehow not the dip of all dips. Until now.

It’s quick, no-fuss, and takes just minutes to mix up before baking. Truly the perfect appetizer. It even reminds me a little of my family’s go-to appetizer growing up, a simple three-ingredient blue cheese biscuit bake. Both cheesy, both nostalgic, and both require very little effort.

I used the last of my summer corn for this batch, and it turned out beyond delicious. A new favorite that I know you’ll love too!

These are the details

Ingredients

• cream cheese – we think this makes the dip, so don’t skip it
• cooked, shredded chicken
• yellow corn – fresh or frozen
• buffalo sauce – I mix up my own
• fresh cilantro
• green onions
• ranch dressing
• crumbled blue cheese – totally optional if you hate it, but we love it
• melty cheddar cheese
• melty pepper jack or colby jack cheese
• salted hard pretzel twists – for dipping and scooping!

Special Tools

Just a bowl to mix ingredients, and a skillet to bake this up in! Nothing new here!

Steps

Step 1: Mix the buffalo chicken

For the chicken, I like to use cooked chicken breasts or a shredded rotisserie chicken from the store (just like my Nonnie would).

Mix the shredded chicken with cream cheese, sweet yellow corn, buffalo sauce, cilantro, green onions, ranch dressing, and crumbled blue cheese (if you like it). Stir everything together until creamy and well combined.

Step 2: Bake the dip

Spoon the mixture into a baking dish and spread it out evenly. Top with a generous layer of shredded cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the dip is hot and bubbly.

Step 3: Serve it up

As soon as the dip comes out of the oven, top with fresh cilantro (or parsley) and green onions. I like to finish with a drizzle of extra buffalo sauce and a pinch of flaky sea salt too.

And for serving: the secret is not crackers or bread, but salted hard pretzel twists. I use thin sourdough twists, and they really make the dip extra special. It reminds me of when I was younger and dipping pretzels into a block of cream cheese. Only this version is spicier, creamier, and so much yummier. And don’t forget that sweet corn, it’s perfect with the spicy buffalo flavor!

Looking for more game day recipes? Here are a few to try:

Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Soft Pretzels

Fried Buffalo Goat Cheese Balls

Baked Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls with Cilantro Lime Ranch

Chipotle Chicken Nachos with Jalapeño Yogurt

Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders

Hot Bacon Corn Dip

Lastly, if you make this Buffalo Chicken Corn Dip, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

These easy 4th of July appetizers will get your Independence Day cookout off to a delicious start! They include fun finger foods, party dips, and more.

Need 4th of July appetizer ideas? We’re here to help! 

I’ve rounded up 25 of our best 4th of July appetizers below. They include show-stopping snack platters, fun finger foods, crowd-pleasing party dips, and more. Most showcase fresh summer produce (my favorite 4th of July recipes usually do!), and all of them are delicious. Take a look through—I’m sure you’ll find some you love!

Finger Food 4th of July Appetizers

Elote

If you ask me, grilled corn on the cob is a must at any 4th of July party. But instead of serving it as a side dish, dress it up with elote fixings for an easy appetizer! Creamy, crunchy, zesty, and smoky, it’s a HUGE crowd pleaser.

Deviled Eggs

Classic deviled eggs are a perfect appetizer for any occasion, Fourth of July included! I like to cook the hard-boiled eggs a day ahead for easy assembly.

Caprese Skewers

Don’t mess with a classic Caprese salad at your 4th of July cookout. These bite-size skewers capture the same delicious flavors while being 1) way cuter and 2) easier to eat!

Tomato Bruschetta

Going for an elegant Italian vibe? I’m here for it! Serve guests this simple tomato bruschetta with an Aperol spritz or Hugo spritz to drink.

Air Fryer Fried Pickles

These crispy pickles are one of those 4th of July appetizers that just scream fun. Serve them with my easy remoulade sauce for dipping!

Blistered Shishito Peppers

I swear that every shishito pepper I’ve ever eaten is mild, but rumor has it that 1 in 10 is spicy. This makes them a really fun summer appetizer—will any of your guests get a hot one?

Crowd-Pleasing Party Dips

7 Layer Dip

This recipe makes a lot of dip, but don’t expect to come home with leftovers. Inspired by my mom’s famous 7 layer dip, it’s seriously delicious. It’ll disappear before you know it!

Cowboy Caviar

This dip is a perfect appetizer for a 4th of July party because it actually tastes better if you make it ahead. Prep it up to 2 days in advance—the zesty flavors will develop as it sits in the fridge.

Best Guacamole

You can never go wrong with guac! My recipe is creamy, zesty, and easy to make with 6 basic ingredients.

Easy Fruit Dip

If you’re hosting kiddos at your 4th of July cookout, add this easy fruit dip to the menu! Made with peanut butter, Greek yogurt, and honey, it’s creamy, nutty, and lightly sweet. My son Ollie loves it with fresh fruit!

Corn Dip

I love my Mexican street corn salad so much that I turned it into a dip! It’s creamy, tangy, PACKED with fresh corn, and perfect for scooping up with tortilla chips.

Whipped Feta Dip

Feta lovers, this dip is for you! Dress it up with garnishes like an olive oil drizzle, fresh parsley, Aleppo pepper, and/or za’atar and serve with pita and veggies for dipping.

Baba Ganoush

This roasted eggplant dip is one of my favorite easy appetizers to make throughout the summer. It’s great for any get-together because you can make it ahead. Prep it up to 3 days before your 4th of July party!

Jalapeño Popper Dip

If you feel like eating jalapeño poppers but not like making them, this crowd-pleasing dip could be the 4th of July appetizer for you. It tastes like a classic popper, but it’s WAY easier to make!

Avocado Dip

Seasoned with garlic and dill, this luxe avocado dip has ranch dressing vibes. I love it with crisp veggies and crackers for dipping.

Summer Salsas

Homemade Salsa

This fresh tomato salsa is SO much better than the kind in a jar. Whip up a batch in just 10 minutes!

Mango Salsa

I love a fruity salsa in the summertime, and this mango version is one of my favorites. L&L readers love it too. Oscar said, “The ratios were perfect,” and Delia wrote, “Definitely a keeper!”

Peach Salsa

If you can get your hands on peak-season peaches, you should absolutely serve this simple salsa as one of your 4th of July appetizers. It’s sweet, spicy, fresh, and unexpected. Guests will love it!

Avocado Salsa

Can’t pick between guacamole and mango salsa? You don’t have to! This tasty salsa combines the best of both.

4th of July Appetizer Platters

Antipasto Platter

This gorgeous snack platter offers something for everyone. Folks can graze on marinated gigante beans, cheeses, olives, veggies, and more! Serve with red, white, and blue toothpicks for a little Independence Day flair.

Burrata with Heirloom Tomatoes

An elegant alternative to a classic cheese board! Juicy heirloom tomatoes, peaches, and cherries surround a creamy ball of burrata. Serve with crostini or baguette for scooping up the cheese and fruit.

More Easy 4th of July Appetizers

Watermelon Gazpacho

Kick off your 4th of July cookout by serving guests small glasses of this chilled soup. Packed with summer tomatoes, cucumber, and watermelon, it’s SO refreshing on a hot day!

Grilled Vegetables

If you’re firing up the grill to cook veggie burgers or hot dogs, why not throw some colorful veggie skewers on too? Serve them with a flavorful sauce like tzatziki or chimichurri for a fresh, easy starter.

Grilled Watermelon

Have you ever tried grilling watermelon? It becomes even juicier and takes on a rich, smoky flavor. Top wedges with a fresh corn salad for an impressive Fourth of July app!

Corn Fritters

These crispy, cheesy fritters go QUICK, so if you’re serving a crowd, you might want to make a double batch. They freeze and reheat perfectly, so feel free to make them ahead!

When mangos are in season, I make this homemade mango salsa pretty much every week! My mom made it for a backyard barbecue once and I was instantly hooked.

If you like mangos, this is the salsa recipe for you. Perfect for summer entertaining…or just a lunchtime snack. Mango salsa is on the sweeter side, but not too sweet. Which makes it the perfect combo for salty chips.

Add jalapeño, black beans, and a couple other ingredients and you have a well balanced sweet and spicy (and highly addictive) salsa for parties and backyard dinners at home.

  

I usually like to serve it up chunky, but you could also run it through the food processor or blender to make it smoother and more on the liquid side.

I also frequently add it to a homemade black bean quesadilla, if I have any salsa leftover. Yummy and simple to throw together in a couple of minutes. My favorite kind of recipes.

When are mangos in season?

You can find mangos at the grocery store year round, but the season for mangos is May through September. That’s when mangos will be the sweetest and most tasty. So basically all summer long!

How to pick a ripe mango

If you’re not sure what to look for at the grocery store or farmers market when it comes to mangos, give it a gently squeeze. A ripe mango will give slightly and often smells fragrant / sweet near the stem.

How to choose the best mangos for salsa

You want ripe mangos for the salsa if possible, but this recipe works with less ripe mangos as well. If I end up using a mango that is not as ripe, I’ll often add more to the salsa for more flavor – like pineapple or tomato. I’ve included a list of additions below as well.

Ingredients for Mango Salsa

• 1 ripe mango
• 1/3 cup of minced onion
• 1 tablespoon of minced jalapeño
• the juice of 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped cilantro leaves*
• 1/2 cup of black beans (optional)
• 2 tablespoons of minced red or orange pepper (optional)

For parties, I double all the ingredients and make a larger batch. But when I’m just making it for our family of three for a meal, I stick with the above measurements.

*If you have a cilantro aversion / thinks cilantro tastes like soap, you can substitute the cilantro for parsley.

Other ingredients you could add in

• 1/2 of an avocado, chopped
• 1 medium tomato, chopped or diced
• 2 thick slices of pineapple, chopped
• 1 nectarine or peach, chopped or diced
• 1/2 cup of cooked corn

Mango Salsa Recipe

1. Wash and prep.

Start by washing and prepping produce as follows:

• dice the mango – You can make this as large or as small as you like. 
• mince the onion
• mince the jalapeño 
• mince the pepper
• chop the cilantro
• wash the black beans

2. Mix it all together.

Throw it all together. Squeeze in the lime. Mix and that’s all you need to do to make a seriously delicious mango salsa of your own.

What to eat with mango salsa

Mango salsa always pairs well with seafood and other proteins – like fish tacos, chicken, salmon, halibut, etc. If you have a little extra time after making this salsa, homemade lime chips are a great flavor combo.

Serving mango salsa top of summer tacos recipe, burritos, or a Mexican breakfast bowl are really tasty options too. Oh, I put a few spoonfuls on my eggs the other day with some avocado too and it was delicious.