Description
This creamy banana pepper chicken dip is a flavorful and comforting appetizer featuring shredded chicken, cream cheese, and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses combined with tangy banana peppers and smoky spices. Baked until hot and bubbly, it’s perfect for game days, parties, or casual gatherings, served warm with chips, crackers, or fresh veggies.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
- 1 cup chopped banana peppers (mild or hot, to taste)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Garnish
- Chopped green onions or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a small baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Base Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Add Spices: Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the creamy mixture and mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the seasonings.
- Combine Main Ingredients: Add the shredded chicken, chopped banana peppers, shredded mozzarella, and shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl and stir everything together until fully incorporated.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the mixture into the greased baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula to create an even layer.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbling around the edges.
- Optional Broil: For a lightly browned and slightly crispy top, broil the dip for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven, let it cool slightly, then garnish with chopped green onions or parsley. Serve warm with tortilla chips, crackers, toasted bread, or fresh vegetable sticks.
Notes
- Use banana peppers according to your preferred heat level; mild for subtle tanginess or hot for spicier dip.
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce along with the banana peppers.
- You can enhance creaminess by adding more cream cheese or a small amount of heavy cream.
- This dip can be made ahead and refrigerated; just bake before serving to heat through.
- Serve with a variety of dippers like pita chips, tortilla chips, or assorted fresh veggies for versatility.
- Monitor closely during broiling to avoid over-browning the cheese topping.
- Balance this rich dip with fresh salads or steamed veggies for a lighter meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: banana pepper chicken dip, baked chicken dip, creamy chicken dip, party appetizer, cheesy chicken dip, spicy chicken dip
