📖 Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. This helps ensure the dip doesn’t stick and makes for easier serving later on.
2. In a large bowl, combine 8 ounces of cream cheese (softened to room temperature—very important!), ½ cup of sour cream, and ½ cup of ranch dressing. Using an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer), beat the mixture until smooth and creamy. Make sure there aren't any lumps! Trust me, nobody likes lumpy dip.
3. Add 2 cups of cooked and shredded chicken, ½ cup of buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot), ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and ¼ cup of crumbled blue cheese (optional, but highly recommended for that authentic buffalo flavor). Stir until well combined. The mixture should be evenly distributed with chicken and cheese throughout.
4. Transfer the buffalo chicken mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread it evenly to ensure the pretzel crust covers everything.
5. In a food processor, pulse 2 cups of pretzel twists until they are coarsely crushed. You want a mix of fine crumbs and larger pieces for that perfect crunchy texture. Alternatively, you can place the pretzels in a large zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
6. In a separate small bowl, melt 4 tablespoons (½ stick) of unsalted butter. Drizzle the melted butter over the crushed pretzels and toss to coat evenly. This ensures the pretzel crust will be golden brown and extra flavorful.
7. Sprinkle the buttered pretzel crumbs evenly over the buffalo chicken mixture in the baking dish. Gently press the pretzel crumbs into the dip to help them adhere.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is heated through, bubbly around the edges, and the pretzel crust is golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on it towards the end to prevent the pretzels from burning.
9. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the dip to set slightly, preventing it from being too runny. Garnish with chopped green onions or a sprinkle of extra blue cheese, if desired.
10. Serve warm with tortilla chips, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or pretzel crisps for dipping. Watch it disappear – it is always a crowd pleaser!