Cilantro Lime Chicken With Scoops (Printable)

A zesty chicken dip, vibrant with cilantro and lime, ideal for scooping at any social event. Easy, flavorful, and satisfying.

# What You 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 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 cilantro and lime wedges for garnish

# How To Make:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of fresh lime and cilantro makes every bite feel bright and alive, not heavy like some cream-based dips can be
  • It comes together in under 15 minutes of active prep, then the oven does all the work while you get everything else ready
  • People crowd around this dish like it's the only food in the room, and the tortilla scoops make it feel playful and interactive
02 -
  • I once tried making this with pre-shredded cheese and the texture was noticeably grainier, shredding your own makes a huge difference in how creamy it gets
  • The dip can be assembled a day ahead and stored covered in the fridge, just add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time if baking cold from the refrigerator
  • It will thicken as it cools, so serve it warm or at room temperature for the best scoopable consistency
03 -
  • Zest your limes before cutting them open, it's much harder to zest a lime that's already been juiced
  • Use a box grater to shred your chicken while it's still slightly warm, it shreds more cleanly and absorbs the seasoning better
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