Cilantro and Lime Chicken Scoops (Print version)

Tangy chicken dip with cilantro, lime, and melted cheese. Perfect party appetizer served with tortilla scoops.

# Required ingredients:

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

→ To Serve

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

# How to make it:

01 - Heat oven to 375°F
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, red onion, garlic, jalapeño, and fresh cilantro
03 - Add lime zest, lime juice, sour cream, softened cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined
04 - Pour mixture into a greased 1-quart baking dish and spread evenly
05 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the dip is bubbly and lightly golden on top
06 - Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2 to 3 minutes
07 - Top with fresh cilantro and lime wedges. Serve warm with tortilla scoops

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together fast with ingredients you probably already have, and tastes like you spent all afternoon on it.
  • The balance of creamy, tangy, and spicy makes it impossible to stop at one scoop.
  • It's one of those rare appetizers that works for both casual weeknights and fancy gatherings without any extra effort.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese isn't fully softened, you'll end up with little white lumps no amount of stirring will fix, so plan ahead and leave it on the counter.
  • Taste the mixture before it goes into the oven, once it's baked you can't adjust seasoning easily and it's heartbreaking to realize it needed more salt.
03 -
  • Zest your limes directly over the mixing bowl so those fragrant oils fall right into the dip instead of staying on your cutting board.
  • Use a shallow, wide baking dish instead of a deep one if you want more of that golden, bubbly top surface everyone fights over.
Return