Introduction

This Buffalo Chicken Cheese Ball is a flavorful and creamy appetizer perfect for game day or any gathering. Combining tangy wing sauce, ranch seasoning, and shredded cheddar with tender chicken, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

A close-up image of a round white plate filled with a thick, creamy orange dip sprinkled with small green herb pieces, surrounded by bright orange carrot sticks and light green celery sticks. In the foreground, a woman's hand holds a round, pale yellow cracker with a scoop of the dip topped with small green herb bits. The dip has a smooth and slightly chunky texture. The background features a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

16 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
1/4 cup Ranch seasoning powder
1/2 cup wing sauce
8 ounces cheddar cheese (freshly shredded)
3/4 cup shredded chicken

Instructions

Step 1: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and wing sauce until well combined.
Step 2: Mix in the cheddar cheese and shredded chicken until evenly incorporated.
Step 3: Tear off a 12-inch piece of plastic wrap and place the cheese mixture in the center. Bring the edges of the plastic wrap up and shape the mixture into a ball.
Step 4: Refrigerate the cheese ball for two hours to firm up. After chilling, remove from the refrigerator, unwrap, and reshape if needed.
Step 5: Serve with crackers, celery sticks, and carrot sticks for dipping.

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, add a few dashes of hot sauce to the mixture before chilling.
Use rotisserie chicken for a quick and convenient option.
Try serving with blue cheese dressing alongside ranch for variety.

Storage

Store the cheese ball covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If needed, allow it to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Leftover cheese ball can be refrigerated and reshaped before serving again.

How to Serve

A large, round, creamy orange cheese ball sits on a dark wooden board with a few green herb bits sprinkled on top. In front of the cheese ball, there is a small metal spreader knife with a wooden handle holding a bit of the cheese ball mixture also sprinkled with herbs. Around the cheese ball, there are round golden crackers stacked on the right side and a few placed scattered on the board. Fresh, cut carrot sticks and celery sticks lay in front and to the sides of the cheese ball. The background shows a white marbled surface with some green herbs and a white cloth partially visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cheese ball ahead of time?

Yes, this cheese ball benefits from chilling for a couple of hours and can be prepared a day in advance. Just keep it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator.

What type of wing sauce is best to use?

Classic Buffalo wing sauce works best for tangy flavor, but you can choose mild, medium, or hot depending on your heat preference.

Buffalo Chicken Cheese Ball Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 119 reviews

This Buffalo Chicken Cheese Ball is a creamy, zesty appetizer combining cream cheese, Ranch seasoning, spicy wing sauce, shredded cheddar, and tender shredded chicken. Perfectly chilled and shaped into a ball, it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing snack served with crackers and fresh vegetables.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Ball Mixture

16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup Ranch seasoning powder
1/2 cup wing sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
8 ounces freshly shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup shredded cooked chicken

Serving Suggestions

Crackers
Celery sticks
Carrot sticks

Instructions

Combine Cream Cheese and Seasoning: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the cream cheese, Ranch seasoning powder, and wing sauce until smooth and evenly combined, ensuring a consistent base flavor.
Add Cheese and Chicken: Mix in the shredded cheddar cheese and shredded chicken until everything is thoroughly incorporated, creating a chunky, flavorful mixture.
Shape the Cheese Ball: Tear off a 12-inch piece of plastic wrap and pile the cheese mixture in the center. Gather the edges of the plastic wrap and mold the mixture into a compact ball, shaping it evenly for a clean presentation.
Chill the Cheese Ball: Refrigerate the wrapped cheese ball for two hours to firm up and allow flavors to meld. After chilling, unwrap and reshape if necessary for a neat appearance.
Serve: Present the cheese ball with an assortment of crackers, celery sticks, and carrot sticks for scooping and dipping.

Notes

Wing sauce like Frank’s RedHot is recommended for the classic buffalo flavor, but you can adjust the amount or type to control the heat level.
Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing and smooth texture.
This cheese ball can be made a day ahead to enhance flavor development.
Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese rather than pre-shredded for better melting and texture.
Leftovers should be refrigerated and consumed within 3-4 days.

Keywords: Buffalo chicken cheese ball, party appetizers, creamy cheese ball, spicy cheese ball, buffalo wing dip