Cilantro and Lime Chicken Dip (Printable)

Zesty chicken dip with cilantro, lime, and melted cheese, served warm with tortilla scoops for easy entertaining.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast

→ Vegetables & Herbs

02 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
05 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Citrus

06 - Zest of 2 limes
07 - Juice of 2 limes

→ Dairy

08 - 1/2 cup sour cream
09 - 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
10 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
13 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ To Serve

16 - 1 bag tortilla scoops or corn chips
17 - Additional fresh cilantro for garnish
18 - Lime wedges for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, red onion, garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro.
03 - Add lime zest, lime juice, sour cream, cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
04 - Transfer the mixture to a greased 1-quart baking dish and spread evenly.
05 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the mixture is bubbly and lightly golden on top.
06 - Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with additional cilantro and lime wedges.
07 - Serve warm with tortilla scoops.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • It transforms plain chicken into something vibrant and craveable without any fancy techniques.
  • The balance of tangy lime, fresh cilantro, and melted cheese hits every flavor note you want in a party dip.
  • You can assemble it in one bowl and let the oven do the work while you handle everything else.
  • It disappears fast but doubles easily when you need to feed a crowd.
02 -
  • Do not skip softening the cream cheese or you will spend ten minutes mashing lumps instead of mixing.
  • Taste the mixture before baking because once it is in the oven, you cannot adjust the seasoning.
  • If the top browns too quickly, tent it loosely with foil for the last few minutes.
03 -
  • Add the lime juice right before mixing so the acidity does not break down the dairy and make it grainy.
  • Use a spatula to scrape every bit of zest off your microplane, that is where the most intense lime flavor hides.
  • Let the dip rest for five minutes after baking so the flavors settle and the texture firms up just enough to scoop cleanly.
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