Cilantro and Lime Chicken Scoops (Print Version)

Tangy chicken dip with fresh cilantro, zesty lime, and melted cheese. Perfect for tortilla scoops at gatherings.

# 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

→ To Serve

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

# How to Make It:

01 - Set oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, diced red onion, minced garlic, minced jalapeño, and chopped cilantro. Mix thoroughly.
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 chicken mixture. Stir until completely blended and uniform.
04 - Pour the combined mixture into a greased 1-quart baking dish, spreading evenly across the bottom.
05 - Place in preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and the top is lightly golden.
06 - Remove from oven and allow to cool for several minutes. Garnish with additional fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
07 - Transfer to serving vessel and serve warm with tortilla scoops alongside.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It comes together in less than an hour, which means you can make it after work and still have time to clean up before guests arrive.
  • The creamy, tangy filling is ridiculously satisfying without feeling heavy, especially when you balance it with the crunch of corn chips.
  • You can adjust the heat level on the fly, making it mild for kids or fiery for the spice lovers in your life.
02 -
  • Softening the cream cheese ahead of time prevents lumps and makes mixing effortless, I learned this after spending ten minutes mashing cold cream cheese with a fork.
  • Don't skip the lime zest, it carries oils that give the dip a brighter, more aromatic citrus flavor than juice alone.
  • If the dip looks a little dry before baking, stir in a tablespoon of milk or chicken broth to loosen it up.
03 -
  • Use rotisserie chicken to cut down on prep time, the seasoning from the store-bought bird adds an unexpected depth.
  • Taste the dip before baking and adjust the salt, lime, or heat level, it's much easier to fix now than after it comes out of the oven.
  • Let the dip sit for five minutes after baking, it sets up just enough to cling to the chips without dripping everywhere.
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