It only takes 4 simple ingredients to make this cheesy ranch chicken dip that is delicious served warm or cold and is a crowd-pleasing appetizer!
One night a few weeks ago, when Justin was at a meeting, I got a craving for some type of dip. But I had no idea what to make. Sometimes, that’s when I come up with the best recipes, such as this Cheesy Ranch Chicken Dip.
We were getting very low on groceries, and I had some chicken thawed that I didn’t make for dinner that night. So I started digging through the refrigerator and pantry to see what I could throw together. I had some Wheat Thins crackers, which are always my favorite for a dip. So I thought I might be able to make a chicken dip. I bought the crackers to make my buffalo chicken dip since I haven’t posted that here yet, but I didn’t know we were out of buffalo sauce.
What did I have on hand? Cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chicken, and ranch powder. And my trusty crackers.
The chicken was still uncooked, so I went ahead and boiled the chicken. While it was cooking, I got the cream cheese out so it could soften a bit. It’s not my favorite way to cook chicken, but if it’s going in something like a dip, then it isn’t too bad. And it shreds easily, especially in the stand mixer.
Justin tried some the next day and loved it as well. The great thing about the dip is you can eat it warm or cold, and both ways are great. Of course, you can use other crackers such as club crackers or Ritz crackers, but my favorite is Wheat Thins.
Serving Suggestions & Tips
- Add a little bit of sour cream to make it a softer dip
- Serve with crackers, tortilla chips, pita chips, or fresh veggies such as carrots and celery sticks
- Drizzle with hot sauce or buffalo sauce for a spicy buffalo chicken dip recipe
- Garnish with sliced green onions, black pepper, or crumbled blue cheese
- Make this warm crack chicken dip as part of a spread for game days or as a simple recipe for a potluck
- Cook and crumble bacon to mix in for a chicken bacon ranch dip
- If you are taking this cream cheese chicken dip to a potluck, consider placing it in a crock pot on low to keep it warm
Simple Ingredients
Chicken Breast
For this chicken recipe, I highly suggest cooking some boneless chicken breast or pulling a rotisserie chicken. You could also use any type of chicken, though canned chicken but it will have a different flavor.
Cream Cheese
You can purchase blocks of cold cream cheese in the refrigerator section at the grocery store. This is the easiest way to get cream cheese for recipes rather than purchasing in the tub. For this recipe, you can use regular cream cheese or low-fat cream cheese.
Cheddar Cheese
Since this is a “cheesy” chicken dip, we need lots of cheese. Freshly shredded cheese is best for this recipe, so I suggest purchasing a block of cheese and shredding it yourself.
Ranch Seasoning Mix
Near the salad dressings, you can purchase packets of dry ranch seasoning mix. I typically get the Hidden Valley brand, although other brands will work as well.
Crackers
Serve the dip with your favorite crackers such as Ritz crackers, Wheat Thins, or Club crackers.
Ranch Chicken Dip Step by Step
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast (boneless, skinless)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 pkg ranch seasoning mix
- crackers
Preparation
In a medium saucepan, boil the chicken. Shred the chicken.
Combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, cooked chicken, and ranch dressing mix in a medium bowl. Stir until combined.
Cheesy Ranch Chicken Dip Leftovers
Storage: Let the leftovers come to room temperature and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheating: The best way to reheat the cheesy chicken dip is in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir often to prevent scalding until the chicken ranch dip is warmed through.
Recipe
Originally Published On: May 7, 2019
Updated On: September 6, 2024
Easy Cheesy Ranch Chicken Dip
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast (boneless, skinless)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 pkg ranch powder
- crackers
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, boil the chicken until cooked through
- Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and ranch powder
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove from the pan and shred
- Gently fold the chicken into the cheese mixture
- Serve either warm or cold with crackers
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
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We enjoy making all kinds of different dips. This cheesy chicken dip sounds like a keeper. Will have to make it when I make chicken, we always have leftovers and this would be a perfect way to use it up.
Yes, this would be a great way to use up leftover chicken! We love dips here, too.
You had me at cheesy. No wait, you had me at ranch. Either way it sounds delicious and now I’m craving cheese and ranch!
Me too! Cheese and ranch are two of my favorite flavors as well.
I love ranch and I love cream cheese, won’t have thought to add them together. This sounds delicious!
I’ve put the two together in a few things and it works surprisingly well together!
Oh, this looks super yummy. I will definitely have to try this. I love trying new recipes!!
It’s such a yummy dip! So easy to make, too.
Love that you were able to whip something tasty with what you already have! Will definitely try this!
Some of my favorite recipes have come from times when I am pulling a few ingredients together to see what we can create!
Oooo!!! This looks soooo yummy! We love dips. Thanks for the recipe!!!
I am such a sucker for a good dip. I can make meals out of them!
This dip is perfect for a March madness party! So yummy!
April
It would be perfect for almost any party! Dips are some of the best appetizers for a party since people can grab as much or as little as they want.
Oh my jeeze! I wouldn’t be surprised if I caught my husband eating this out of the bowl with a spoon – he is ranch obsessedddd!
Ummm…..I may have done the same as I was making it!! I love ranch and cheese, so it was a no-brainer for me!
Oh, this looks so yummy. I love it. I will be making this for sure. I would try it for a sandwich even. Thank you for sharing this.
I didn’t even think about putting it on a sandwich. I’ll have to give that a try next time I make some because this batch is long gone!
Stop! This looks SO good! I love dips that have a bit more substance (like a meat). They make such a great app to bring to dinner parties. Definitely book marking this one!
I do too. They are a bit more filling and I don’t feel quite as bad when I make a dinner out of it!
This looks really yummy. I love unique dips like this. I think it would be yummy to sandwiched it between some crackers too. Or maybe a yummy bread sandwich.
Someone else suggested a sandwich too. I’ll definitely have to try that next time I make this!
Ooooo nothing better than a yummy dip!!!! They make the best things to serve when you have company. Definitely pinning so I can try!!!
So true! Dips are great for when you have people over or when you need something to bring to a potluck party.
This would be a great dish to take to friends houses. I feel like it would be pretty easily loved by all!
It’s perfect for a get-together or if you’re like me keep to yourself and end up eating the whole thing!
I absolutely love this need to try. I make dips all the time I’ll have to try this one i think it will be a crowd pleaser.
Everyone I know who has tried this one when I made it has loved the dip.
I need to give this a whirl, as my other half would love this. I will be trying this next week xx
All four of us love this dip here! I hope you guys enjoy it, too.
My kids would totally love this! And it looks so yummy and easy besides – great recipe, thanks!
It’s so easy. The hardest part is shredding the chicken but if you have a stand mixer that can be done easily with the paddle attachment!
I am always looking for good dips to make for parties and this one is so good! The chicken, the ranch, the cheese – it is pretty much the perfect dip!
This is great for a party since it’s a bit more filling with the chicken, but still light and yummy!
I love that this dip only takes four ingredients. It typically scares me away when there is a huge ingredient list. Definitely making this soon!
Sometimes I enjoy the long ones since it’s a fun challenge, but most of the time, simple is best!
Looks simple to make and tasty to eat. love this recipe!
This dip covers both of those: simple and tasty!
Wow, this looks yummy and easy to make. I have to try to make this for a potluck!
This is a perfect dip for a potluck. It’s easy and still a bit filling with the chicken in it.
This sounds really tasty and a great option when you have chicken and not many ideas how to prepare it! However, in total honesty, cheddar cheese and me aren’t good friends… what would you suggest as a replacement for it?
I haven’t tried it with any other cheese because cheddar is my favorite, but you could try any other yellow cheese and see how it comes out. I don’t know if the white cheeses, like mozzarella, would give the same sharp flavor that a yellow cheese does. If you make it with a different one I’d love to know how it comes out!
Can you use canned chicken
I haven’t tried it before, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. As long as you get most of the liquid out of the chicken since you don’t want it to be runny when you mix everything together.