Unforgettable Appetizer: Marry Me Chicken Dip Recipe for Your Next Gathering
The Marry Me Chicken Dip embodies all the elements of a perfect party appetizer: it’s rich, creamy, and indulgent, with flavors so irresistible that you might find yourself needing a nap after indulging a bit too much. The addition of sun-dried tomato pesto brings a burst of umami, sweet, and savory notes that are evenly dispersed throughout the dip thanks to its incorporation into the cream cheese base. While dried herbs add a subtle layer of flavor, they take a back seat to the prominent thyme garnish, making them optional if needed. To enjoy this delectable dip to the fullest, pair it with toasted baguette slices or seeded crackers at your next gathering.
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 1x
Ingredients
12 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature (from 2 [8-oz.] pkg.)
1 1/2 cups sour cream, at room temperature
1 (6.35-oz.) jar sun-dried tomato, basil, and cheese pesto (such as DeLallo) (about 3/4 cup)
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
3 cups (about 12 oz.) shredded rotisserie chicken
1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1 (8-oz.) block low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded (2 cups), divided
1 (6-oz.) block garlic-flavored white Cheddar cheese (such as Face Rock Vampire Cheddar), shredded (1 1/2 cups), divided
1 oz. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated (1/4 cup)
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
Crostini, crackers, or crudité, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and baking dish: Heat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 2-quart gratin or baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
- Make the cream cheese mixture: Combine cream cheese, sour cream, pesto, salt, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and pepper in a large bowl until the mixture is smooth.
- Incorporate chicken, tomatoes, and cheese: Add chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella, and 1 cup of Cheddar to the mixture and stir until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish: Spoon the mixture into the prepared gratin dish and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella and 1/2 cup of Cheddar on top.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake: Lightly grease a piece of aluminum foil with cooking spray and place it over the chicken mixture, cooking spray-side down. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Top with more cheese: Remove the foil and sprinkle Parmigiano-Reggiano on top. Bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.
- Broil the dip: Switch the oven to Broil and broil until the cheese starts to turn golden brown, for about 4 to 6 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
