Cilantro and Lime Chicken Scoops (Printable)

Zesty 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

→ To Serve

15 - 1 bag tortilla scoops
16 - Additional fresh cilantro and lime wedges for garnish

# Steps:

01 - Heat 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, Monterey Jack cheese, cumin, chili powder, 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 mixture is bubbling and the top is lightly golden.
06 - Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2 to 3 minutes.
07 - Top with additional fresh cilantro and lime wedges. Serve warm with tortilla scoops.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in less than an hour but tastes like you spent all afternoon fussing over appetizers.
  • The lime and cilantro cut through the richness in a way that keeps people coming back for just one more scoop.
  • You can make it ahead and bake it right before guests arrive, which has saved me more than once.
  • Everyone assumes its complicated until you tell them its basically dump, stir, and bake.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese isnt fully softened, youll end up with little white lumps that never quite disappear no matter how much you stir.
  • Taste the mixture before baking because once its in the oven, you cant adjust the salt or lime, and both are crucial to the flavor.
  • Dont skip the zest, the juice gives tang but the zest gives that floral, aromatic pop that makes this dip unforgettable.
03 -
  • Use kitchen shears to chop the cilantro right in the bunch, its faster and keeps your cutting board clean.
  • If the top isnt browning, switch the oven to broil for the last two minutes, but watch it closely so it doesnt burn.
  • For a richer dip, swap half the Monterey Jack for sharp white cheddar, the flavor becomes bolder and more complex.
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