Lite, slow cooker Buffalo chicken dip with all of the flavor of the original !

chicken buffalo dip in lil dipper model Crockpot topped with crumbled blue cheese and green onion.

I have been a little discouraged lately because I think the slow cooker is getting a bad rap. It's not a new flashy concept like the multi-cooker gadgets that promise to do everything but wash the dishes. It doesn't take formerly high-calorie and unhealthy fried food and transform it into a healthy eater's dream like the of-the-moment air-fryer does.

It is slow and steady. Simple and practical. Call me crazy, but those are traits I just don't think we see enough of these days.

dip in mini slow cooker warmer with a plate of celery and carrots nearby.

Don't get me wrong, there have been plenty of cool updates to newer models. Previously unheard-of features such as temperature probes that automatically let the slow cooker know when to switch from "cook mode" to "keep warm mode" and wifi enabled models that provide remote access to slow cooker controls are popping up everywhere.

These can most certainly be a lifesaver for those who can't be home to oversee the cooking process. But still, I think the slow cooker is too often overlooked. Friends tell me they use their slow cooker once a year....to make chili or beef stew. Two tasty (albeit mono-colored) dishes but, the world needs to know that a slow cooker can do MUCH more.

So, I am on a (very lazy) crusade to do something about it! And I am starting with Lazy 'n Lite Buffalo Chicken Dip! This recipe is fun, colorful, tasty, spicy, and (drum roll please) pretty healthy. It is a lighter version of the very popular chicken buffalo dip that is everywhere and it is made entirely in a slow cooker. Take that - pressure cooker and air-fryer. The old reliable slow cooker has still got it!

Hacks and hints

I make the chicken used in this dip in my slow cooker. The instructions for that are included below. However, the laziest way to handle this recipe would be to buy pre-made chicken strips
To ensure even flavor in every bite for a smoother texture, process chicken until it is the consistency of wet sand in a food processor or Nutribullet or personal sized blender (this is optional, you can use chicken is chunks or shreds if you like)
I heat and serve the actual dip in a Crockpot Lil Dipper. However, it would work just as well in a small crockpot on low or warm.
If you are a fan of uber spicy, feel free to add more buffalo sauce.
I use slow cooker liners to cook the chicken for this recipe. This is always an optional step. I, however, use then so often that I buy them in bulk (making them less expensive per piece). click here to see what I buy.