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, 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

→ For Serving

15 - 1 bag tortilla scoops (corn chips)
16 - Additional cilantro and lime wedges for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - In a large 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 until well blended.
04 - Transfer mixture to 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 let cool slightly. Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges.
07 - Serve warm with tortilla scoops.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes bright and bold, nothing like those heavy, one-note dips that sit like a brick.
  • You can make it ahead and just pop it in the oven when guests arrive, so youre not stuck in the kitchen.
  • The lime and cilantro cut through the richness in a way that keeps you coming back for more.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese is cold, it will clump and refuse to blend, so give it time to soften or microwave it for 10 seconds.
  • Dont overbake or the dip will dry out and lose that luscious creaminess, pull it as soon as its bubbly.
03 -
  • Zest the limes directly over the bowl so those fragrant oils land right in the mix.
  • Taste the dip before baking and adjust the lime or salt, its much easier to fix now than after it comes out of the oven.
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