Cheesy Chicken Taco Dip

Whether it’s for a holiday party, game-day celebration or friendly potluck, a tasty dip always hits the spot—and this cheesy chicken taco dip is no exception. It’s simple to prep, with your slow cooker doing all the heavy lifting. (We love a worry-free crockpot dip!) And when you make it in a portable slow cooker, the dip will stay warm wherever the party is. Pair it with tortilla chips and watch this dip disappear before your eyes.

Ingredients for Cheesy Chicken Taco Dip

• Salsa: This recipe calls for one 16-ounce jar of salsa. Fresh pico de gallo is a great option. You can control the spice level of the chicken taco dip by using a mild, medium or hot salsa.
• Refried beans: You’ll need a 30-ounce can of refried beans for this recipe. You could also use homemade refried beans to make this dip.
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: This recipe calls for 1-1/2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You could also substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs if that’s what you have on hand.
• Taco seasoning: A packet of taco seasoning adds classic taco flavor to this dip from its blend of spices and herbs such as chili powder, cumin and oregano. Use your preferred store-bought variety, or make homemade taco seasoning easily with pantry staples.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded cheese will melt most easily and have the best flavor, but you can definitely use store-bought shredded cheese if you don’t have time to shred the cheese yourself.
• Toppings: Before serving, the dip is topped with chopped green onions, chopped tomatoes and chopped cilantro. Other topping options include black olives and thinly sliced jalapeno peppers.
• Tortilla chips: Serve the dip alongside your favorite brand of tortilla chips.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the dip

In a greased 3- or 4-quart slow cooker, mix the salsa and refried beans.

Top the mixture with the chicken and sprinkle it with the taco seasoning. Cook it, covered, on low until the chicken is tender, about four to five hours.

Step 2: Shred the chicken

Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred it finely.

Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir in the shredded cheese. Cook it, covered, on low until the cheese is melted, 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Serve the dip

To serve the dip, top it with green onions, tomato and cilantro. Serve with chips.

Cheesy Chicken Taco Dip Variations

• Spice it up: To make the chicken taco dip extra spicy, use a hot salsa. You can also sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes, a dash or two of ground cayenne pepper, or a finely chopped jalapeno pepper to amp up the heat even more.
• Make it creamy: For a creamy and cheesy chicken taco dip, stir in an 8-ounce block of softened plain cream cheese before cooking. You could also add 1 cup of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. Use full-fat dairy for the best consistency.
• Change up the cheese: Instead of cheddar cheese, try a shredded Mexican cheese blend, pepper jack, Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese.

How to Store Cheesy Chicken Taco Dip

Transfer any leftover cheesy chicken taco dip to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to four days.

How should you reheat chicken taco dip?

The best way to reheat chicken taco dip is to transfer it to an oven-safe baking dish and bake it in a 350º oven until it’s heated through, about 20 to 25 minutes. You can also reheat small portions of the dip in the microwave by cooking it for short time intervals, stirring in between cooking periods, until it’s heated evenly throughout.

Cheesy Chicken Taco Dip Tips

Can you serve the chicken taco dip in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! This chicken taco dip is ideal for making and serving in a slow cooker. Simply set the slow cooker to warm throughout the duration of your gathering or meal, and serve it with tortilla chips and other dippers.

What else can you serve with chicken taco dip?

In addition to crunchy tortilla chips, this tasty chicken taco dip also pairs well with breadsticks, toasted baguette slices, pita chips and crackers. You can also serve it with fresh veggies such as strips of bell peppers, carrot sticks, celery sticks or cucumber rounds.