This Easy Chipotle Chicken Dip in 15 Minutes is a must-have in your dip recipe rotation. Made with shredded chicken, spicy chipotle peppers, spinach, and cheese, this dip is bold, flavorful, and irresistibly addictive. Whether you’re hosting a party of just craving a delicious snack, this easy-to-make dip will have everyone coming back for more.
I was saving this dip recipe in anticipation of a Lions Super Bowl watch party, but I decided it was too tasty to keep to myself for another year. Honestly, if you’re looking for an easy and delicious alternative to buffalo chicken dip – something that’s a little different, visually stunning, and absolutely addictive – this dip is a must-have for your next game-day gathering or any party for that matter.
So read on, gather your ingredients and meet me back here to make this delectable dip.
Jump to RecipeTable of Contents
Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce; Need I Say More?
If you’re not already familiar with these lovely peppers, Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are smoked, dried jalapeños that have been rehydrated and canned in a flavorful sauce made with a mix of tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, and spices. The result is a deep, smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet condiment that can be used to enhance the flavor of meats, dips, marinades, and sauces. They are a staple in many Mexican dishes.
There is an old Mexican folk saying that always comes to mind when I think of Chipotles. As the saying goes, “don’e be afraid of the chili even though its color is so red.” Chipotle peppers are a rich, deep red, but no need to fear. They are moderately spicy, with a heat level that measures between 2,500 and 8,000 Scoville Heat Units, so they add a nice kick to this dip without being overwhelmingly hot.
The vinegar and tomato base of the adobo sauce balances the smokiness with a tangy, slightly sweet, and earthy flavor. However, for as much as I love these little peppers, a little goes a long way. Because they pack a punch in both heat and flavor, chipotle peppers in adobo are best used sparingly. When making this Chipotle chicken dip, I recommend starting with one pepper. Stir it in, taste the dip and then decide if you want to add a second. I like a little extra heat, so I typically use two, but trust your tastebuds. I do not recommend adding more than two as the smokiness of the peppers can become overpowering.
Can You Really Make This Easy Chipotle Chicken Dip in 15 Minutes?
Yes, yes you can. However, there is one caveat. Your chicken needs to be cooked and shredded already. If you have to boil a chicken breast until cooked through and shred it with a fork, it will extend the prep time, but you can also pick up a rotisserie chicken at the store to save yourself a few minutes.
The one step you cannot skip – and I am adamant about this one – is you simply must remove the stems from the spinach before cooking. They are stringy, messy, and I find them as offensive in this dip as I do in a salad – and I am not easily offended. I am sorry, but the stems must be removed. Thank you for letting me get that off my chest.
Overall, the steps to make this Chipotle chicken dip are simple, and because I hate doing dishes, I like the fact that you only need one pan to make this dip. Additionally, if you are preparing this dip in cookware that can double as a serving piece, you can easily go from stove top to table. That’s a win in my book.
As for the steps in this recipe, here’s the breakdown:
- Cook and shred your chicken. If the pieces are really long, give them a slight chop so they are more bite-size. You’ll need a total of 6 ounces of chicken.
- Remove the stems from your spinach before wilting in a saute pan over medium heat. Once the spinach in cooked, remove it from the pan and set aside.
- Add the cream cheese, sour cream, and buttermilk to the pan and melt them down over medium-low heat until combined, smooth, and creamy with no lumps. You can use a spatula or whisk for this step.
- Add the Monterrey Jack cheese and stir until incorporated.
- Add the chicken, chopped Chipotle peppers and the spinach, and season with salt to taste. Serve warm with a good, hearty tortilla chip.
And there you have it – a really easy recipe for Chipotle Chicken Dip in 15 Minutes. The only other point I will make is that this is a very hearty dip, so I recommend serving it with a good, thick tortilla chip that can stand up to all that creamy, Chipotle Chicken goodness. Save those light, airy ones for another time.
One More Thought on the Use of Buttermilk in this Recipe.
Why did I choose to use buttermilk? In early test batches of this Easy Chipotle Chicken Dip in 15 Minutes, I used much higher ratios of cream cheese, sour cream and Monterrey Jack cheese. I found these versions to be too heavy and a little flat on flavor honestly. The dip needed to be lighter and brighter.
The addition of buttermilk allowed me to reduce the cream cheese, sour cream, and Monterrey Jack cheese by half – resulting in a lighter dip. It also improved the creamy texture of the dip and added a lovely layer of unexpected freshness. All that to say, don’t be tempted to skip the buttermilk. It really does make a difference.
Let’s Get Social!
Whether you’re cheering for your favorite team or just in it for the snacks, this Easy Chipotle Chicken Dip in 15 Minutes is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Its perfect blend of smoky, spicy, and cheesy flavors makes it the MVP of any game-day menu. Serve it with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh veggies, and watch it disappear in no time!
If you’re looking for other delicious and easy dip recipes to serve up at your next party, these recipes for fresh Pico de Gallo and Elote Dip would make a great trio of Mexican-themed appetizers next to this Chipotle Chicken Dip.
Thank you for visiting MOstly Bakes! I’d like to invite you to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media via Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for more content like the easy dip recipes shown above, as well as desserts, beverages and more. Thank you, again, for visiting, and I look forward to connecting with you there!
Blessings & Enjoy!
Easy Chipotle Chicken Dip in 15 Minutes
Course: All Recipes, StartersCuisine: Mexican-AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings5
minutes10
minutesMade with shredded chicken, spicy Chipotle peppers, spinach, and cheese, this dip is bold, flavorful, and irresistibly addictive.
Ingredients
6 ounces cooked, shredded chicken
3 packed cups fresh spinach, stems removed
4 ounces cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
1-2 Chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped fine.
Salt to taste
Nonstick cooking spray
Directions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Spray the surface of the pan with nonstick cooking spray and add the spinach. Cook the spinach until just wilted – approx. 2 minute. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Return the pan to the stove. Add the cream cheese, sour cream, and buttermilk to the pan and melt them down over medium-low heat until combined, smooth, and creamy with no lumps.
- Add the Monterrey Jack cheese and stir until incorporated.
- Add the chicken, chopped Chipotle peppers and the spinach, and season with salt to taste.
- Serve warm with a good, hearty tortilla chip.
