Cilantro and Lime Chicken Scoops (Printable)

Tangy chicken dip with cilantro, lime, and cheese. Baked until bubbly and served with tortilla scoops.

# 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 pepper, seeded and minced
05 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Citrus

06 - Zest and juice of 2 limes

→ Dairy

07 - 1/2 cup sour cream
08 - 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
09 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Serving

15 - 1 bag tortilla scoops
16 - Additional fresh cilantro for garnish
17 - Lime wedges for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, diced red onion, minced garlic, minced jalapeño, and chopped cilantro
03 - Add lime zest, lime juice, sour cream, softened cream cheese, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the bowl and mix until well blended
04 - Pour mixture into a greased 1-quart baking dish and spread evenly
05 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden on top
06 - Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly, then garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges
07 - Transfer to serving dish and serve warm with tortilla scoops

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in less than an hour but tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did.
  • The creamy base balances the lime and spice so perfectly that even picky eaters keep going back for more.
  • You can prep the whole thing ahead and just pop it in the oven when guests arrive.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese is cold, it will clump and refuse to blend, so let it soften or microwave it for 10 seconds.
  • Taste the mixture before baking, once it's hot you can't fix underseasoning easily.
  • Don't overbake it or the edges will dry out and the dip will lose its creamy texture.
03 -
  • Use rotisserie chicken to save time, and go for the breast meat if you want it leaner or thighs if you want more flavor.
  • Zest the limes before juicing them, it's nearly impossible to zest a juiced lime and you'll need both.
  • If the dip looks too thick before baking, stir in a tablespoon of milk or chicken broth to loosen it.
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