Cilantro and Lime Chicken Scoops (Printer View)

Tangy chicken dip with fresh cilantro, zesty lime, and melted cheese. Baked until bubbly, 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

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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 to 25 minutes, until bubbly and lightly golden on top.
06 - Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
07 - Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges. Serve warm with tortilla scoops.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent hours on it, but genuinely comes together in minutes with ingredients you probably already have.
  • The lime keeps cutting through the richness so it never feels heavy, even when you've eaten half the bowl.
  • Your guests will ask for the recipe, and you'll love how easy it is to actually make it again next weekend.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling time—I've learned the hard way that scooping it straight from the oven results in dip soup running all over the plate.
  • The lime juice is essential because it keeps the flavors bright; without it, the dip tastes one-note and heavy, like you forgot to season it entirely.
03 -
  • Make it in a shallow dish instead of a deep one—the increased surface area means more of that beautiful golden top that everyone fights over.
  • Let your cream cheese sit on the counter for 10 minutes before mixing; it folds in infinitely better than cold cream cheese and you won't have lumps.
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