Ranch Chicken Cheese Dip is the perfect appetizer for parties! This cream cheese dip recipe is made with chicken, cream cheese, cheddar cheese and ranch dressing – that’s it!
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Ranch Chicken Cheese Dip comes together in just a few short minutes, making it perfect for last-minute parties and potlucks! You only need four ingredients to whip up this delicious cream cheese dip recipe. The ingredients are all ones that I keep on hand regularly so if I get asked to make something last minute, this is a perfect option!
This dip can be made right before serving, or you can even make it up to several days in advance. I like it best with crackers, but it tastes wonderful with veggies or chips too! Get creative and try using any other dipper ideas you come up with!
How do you make smooth cream cheese dip for crackers?
The key to making the cream cheese dip smooth is to make sure that the cream cheese is completely softened. Room temperature is optimal, but if you are in a hurry, you can place cold cream cheese in the microwave. Microwave at 10-second intervals, checking in between to make sure that the cream cheese isn’t melting or getting too hot. Continue to stir the cream cheese in between each interval until you get a smooth, creamy texture.
What type of Chicken is best in this Cream Cheese Chicken Dip?
You can use any type of cooked, shredded chicken. I like to use canned chicken in this dip, but I often use rotisserie chicken in this recipe. I have found that canned chicken recipes work best with the canned chicken from Costco – it tastes much better than other brands that I have tried.
One of my favorite ways to cook and shred chicken is by using my Instant Pot! I just place a few chicken tenderloins or 1-2 chicken breasts in my Instant Pot, set it on high pressure for about 7-8 minutes and then just a few minutes later I have perfectly cooked chicken that shreds easily with two forks – I still can’t believe how fast and easy it is!
Ranch Chicken Dip Recipe Ingredients
- 2 8-oz blocks cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 12.5 oz can chicken, drained (I like the Costco brand best!)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 pkg. dry ranch dressing mix
How to Make Chicken Cheese Dip
- Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and then refrigerate until ready to serve. Yes, it really is just that easy! Enjoy!
- Dipper ideas: Wheat Thin crackers, carrots, celery, potato chips (the dip is pretty thick, so make sure your dippers are sturdy)!
RANCH CHICKEN CHEESE DIP
Ingredients
- 2 8- oz blocks cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 12.5 oz can chicken drained (I like the Costco brand best!)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 pkg. dry ranch dressing mix
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and then refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Yes, it really is just that easy! Enjoy!
- Dipper ideas: Wheat Thin crackers, carrots, celery, potato chips (the dip is pretty thick, so make sure your dippers are sturdy)!
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Can you use low-fat cream cheese in this chicken dip recipe?
Yes, you can use low-fat or even non-fat cream cheese in this recipe. There is enough flavor and texture added in with the ranch dressing mix and the shredded cheddar that you probably won’t even notice the difference!
How long does homemade chicken dip last?
Chicken dip will stay fresh for up to 10 days when stores in an airtight container in the fridge.
The dip needs to be stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve. I usually serve this dip immediately after making or as a cold dip, but you can also heat in the microwave or on the stove before serving if you prefer your cream cheese dip to be warm.
Can you freeze chicken and cream cheese dip?
Yes, you can freeze this chicken and cream cheese dip. The texture will change a bit upon thawing, so try and whisk the dip prior to serving.
What kind of cheese do you add to chicken cheese dip?
I usually use medium cheddar, but you could use a different type of cheese or a combination of cheeses to change up the taste a little bit. You could do a mixture of cheddar and swiss, or use a cheddar blend or Monterey Jack would be delicious too! This is a great way to use up any type of cheese you happen to have on hand!
What to Dip in the Cream Cheese Chicken Dip
You can dip Wheat Thins, other types of crackers, carrots, celery, tortilla chips or even potato chips! This dip is very thick so make sure that your dippers are pretty sturdy! If you heat up the dip, the cheese will melt a little bit and it won’t be quite as thick, so you may prefer to do this if you want to serve this chicken dip with chips.
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Ranch Chicken Cheese Dip is the perfect appetizer for parties! This cream cheese dip recipe is made with chicken, cream cheese, cheddar cheese and ranch dressing – that’s it!
Trishalynn88 says
I add some hot sauce or wing sauce too… so yummy!
Jeanna Blicker says
How much hot sauce? I’d like to spice it up with some Frank’s Hot Sauce, for a Buffalo Ranch Chicken dip!
Nellie says
I’ve never tried adding hot sauce but that’s a great idea! Maybe just try a couple tablespoons to start with and then add more if it doesn’t have enough of a kick? Let me know how it works out!
Bessie says
You can serve this warm, too. It is amazing!
Alexandra Elswick says
Do you drain the chicken?
Debbie Smith says
Do you know the ounces of chicken are you using.
Jessica says
Yes, it’s a 12.5 oz can- one that you’d get from Costco.
Tammy says
How many does this recipe serve? Looking for an easy, yummy dip for my daughter’s graduation party:)
Thanks.
Nellie says
It’s hard to know the exact amount of servings since it’s a dip, but it makes quite a bit. I think it’s perfect for a large gathering and could easily feed 20+ people as an appetizer! Good luck with your party and congrats to your daughter!
Eileen Ferber says
If you serve the Ranch Chicken Cheese Dip warm, how long do you bake in the oven? Do you set the oven at 350?
Nellie says
I have never tried this warm, but I would probably try about 10-15 minutes at 350 and see if it is warm enough at that point. If it’s still not hot enough, try a little longer. Let me know how it works out!
Jimmie James says
What is the nutrition values of the Ranch Chicken cheese dip?
Nancy Sweet says
Made it. Love it!!!
Jessica says
So happy to hear that Nancy! 🙂
Jenn says
I make it warm, 350 for 20 min. I also add green onion. Right before baking sprinkle parmaseen cheese on top….Sooo good!
Nellie says
Great ideas – that sounds delicious!
Shirley A Baker says
Would like this recipe.
Megan says
Do you warm up the chicken, so you shred or cut up the chicken or leave it as it is.
Nellie says
I usually serve this dip cold, so I try to cook the chicken ahead of time and shred it and then let it cool before making the dip. If you plan to serve the dip warmed up, you can just add the chicken immediately after cooking and shredding it.
Monica says
LOL, this is my own cheese ball recipe. I let it firm up then roll it in toasted nuts. My families holiday favorite.
Dawn says
This dip is so good!!! It’s very thick so you need some muscle to mix it together. But worth it! 😂. I was eating it right after I mixed it together so it’s also very good at room temperature.
Alison says
Dawn, I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Cindy says
I made this for our Christmas open house. Yum! I used one pkg of cream cheese and one cup of sour cream. It was a little softer to dip😊
Beth says
I made this and it was very good. Next time I would add some hot sauce and try heating it up in the oven. It makes a lot so I wonder if I can freeze it?
Nellie says
Beth – I’ve never tried freezing this! Usually cream cheese doesn’t freeze very well – the consistency changes a bit when you do. Let me know if you try it though! The dip should stay good in the refrigerator though for at least a week.
Jill says
IMO, This Was so bland. I added green onions, peach hot sauce, garlic powder, sweet n’ spicy Jalapeno slices and Jalapeno juice. I’m hoping the flavors meld while refrigerated.
Dana says
I agree. It is very bland. I see some people added hot sauce. I added Bacon Bacon (Tastefully Simple’s bacon bits) which did give it a little flavor.
Jessica says
Everyone has different tastes- isn’t it great to be able to adjust a recipe to your liking?!
Jacci says
I’ve been looking for a cold chicken dip that DID NOT include the word buffalo. This was perfect and just what I was looking for. I added onion for a bit of crunch and used spicy ranch mix. Very good and thank you for sharing!