Creamy Chicken Caesar Dip

Name: Creamy Chicken Caesar Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1/2 rotisserie chicken (no skin); 2 cups American cheese (shredded); 1 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded); 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature); 1 1/2 cups Caesar dressing; 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded); 2 tablespoons green onions (chopped)

Recipe Print

As an experienced cook and restaurant owner, I have worked my way through thousands of recipes and have a few easy ones up my sleeve that I can rely on. This creamy Caesar dip is one of those recipes that takes just 10 minutes to prep, cheesy, hearty, delicious, and always a crowd pleaser. It makes the ideal party appetizer no matter the occasion.

Scooping chicken Caesar dip with a corn chip.

I love dips because they are usually easy to make and give me the opportunity to experiment with my favorite ingredients. Like deviled eggs dip, taco dip, and beer cheese dip, this one will be the highlight of any party! Easy to make with shredded rotisserie chicken, Caesar dressing, and lots of cheese!

Why you will love this recipe
What you will need
How to make
Expert tip
Recipe variations and add-ins:
Serving suggestions:
How to store leftovers:
Frequently asked questions
Other delicious dips:

All in all, this homemade dip is to die for! It is delicious served with crackers, cheese, crunchy veggies, or just smothered on toast if you have any leftovers. If you love Caesar salad, you will go crazy for it! Also, it’s so versatile, just add some buffalo sauce into the mix for a spicy kick and much-loved buffalo flavor! This is one of my favorite game day appetizers, so creamy, satisfying, I can always count on it when I need something that everyone will love.

Homemade chicken Caesar dip with chips and veggies sticks.

Why you will love this recipe

Just five ingredients: I love that I can make this with just five ingredients! That usually means no trip to the store! This is especially helpful when I need to fix something quickly, but in this case, quick and easy does not mean bland, but an explosion of flavors!
Everyone loves it: Unlike spicy or sweet dips, this savory dip with its classic Caesar flavor, tender chicken, and lots of bubbly melted cheese is always a crowd pleaser and the star of the show.
Make it a meal: We love it so much that sometimes I just serve it for dinner. I add some lettuce leaves on the side and make little wraps with them. In those cases, I fix a healthy salad on the side for munching.
Perfect for any chips or veggies: I like to use crackers, baguette slices, fresh veggie sticks, or pita slices, but it also works well with pretzels, tortillas, or corn chips.

What you will need

Overhead shot of chicken Caesar dip ingredients in bowls on a white surface.

Chicken: I like to use rotisserie chicken with the skin removed.
Cheeses: I shred my own American and Parmesan cheese. The pre-shredded cheese has additives to prevent clumping, but they also prevent it from melting well. The cream cheese has to be at room temperature to blend easily and reduce lumps.
Dressing: I use my own Caesar dressing recipe for fresh, homemade dressing. It is full of garlic, anchovy paste, and Parmigiano-Reggiano with a creamy, tangy, and umami flavor.

How to make

Preheat the oven: First, I preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with baking spray.

Add the chicken: Next, I shred the chicken into small pieces and toss them into the dish, then top with ½ cup of Caesar dressing, tossing to coat.

Layering chicken Caesar dip in a baking pan.

Mix the cheeses: Now, I mix the three cheeses with 1 cup of Caesar dressing in a mixer until it is creamy and completely combined.

Whipping cheese blend for chicken Caesar dip.

Bake the dip: Then I spread it over the chicken, levelling it out. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.

Adding cheese layer to chicken Caesar dip.

Garnish and serve: Finally, I top it with extra parmesan cheese and some chopped green onions before serving.

Expert tip

Using the right products

There are some things that I just don’t substitute. Like brick-style full-fat cream cheese. Especially in recipes like this one, where it has to be cooked because the extra ingredients and air will make it too loose and watery. Another thing is to use the highest-quality products. Using cheaper brands is okay for certain things, but not for the main ingredients. Also, I always shred my own cheese because pre-shredded cheese contains additives to prevent clumping. Use your favorite Caesar dressing. I use my homemade recipe. The chicken can be any pre-cooked variety, but I use rotisserie because it is already seasoned.

More tips to consider:

For a crispy top, I turn on the broiler for the last two minutes.
Do not use low-fat cream cheese, as it can make the dip watery.
Also, try to avoid whipped cream cheese because it contains air, which can make the dip runny.
Always use room-temperature cream cheese for a smoother dip.
Chilling the dip for 30 to 45 minutes before serving will help the flavors meld. But let it sit for about 15 minutes so it is not too hard to dip with chips.
Watch out for bones when shredding and adding the chicken.

Overhead shot of homemade chicken Caesar dip with corn chips.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

Make it a topping: Pour it over these instant pot chicken breasts for a meal with lots of extra flavor and cheesy goodness.
Spicy dip: There is always someone in the family who likes their dip hot, so I make a spicy version with chopped jalapenos and red pepper flakes, too.
Crack chicken dip: Instead of Caesar, use ranch dressing with bacon and cheddar, and see why they call it crack when you mix these ingredients together.
Make it a salad: Why not add some lettuce to make it like a real salad? The greens can be whatever you prefer, but I prefer Romaine lettuce.
Add vegetables: Another way to make this dip heartier is to toss in some chopped veggies like bell peppers, carrots, green onions, peas, and corn.

Corn chips and celery stick dipped into chicken Caesar dip.

Serving suggestions:

I recommend serving this dip hot and bubbly. I usually serve it with toasted French baguette slices, crunchy veggies like celery, carrots, and zucchini. These air-fried veggie chips are perfect for dipping along with some corn chips. For something completely different, try my crispy air fryer pasta chips. The kids love these, especially when I make them with bowties or curly shapes.

Bread is always a good dipper for this cheesy dip. Whether it is French crusty rolls or baguettes, they taste yummy with this tangy dressing. Beer bread is another great dipper and is so easy to make in less than an hour. I actually love spreading the dip onto a slice of this fluffy and flavorful bread. For those who appreciate a savory and rich combo, I serve bacon-wrapped shrimp or Dorito chicken tenders on the side.

How to store leftovers:

Refrigerate: I put my leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days.
Freezing: Freezing is not recommended because of the cream cheese.

Close shot of creamy and cheesy chicken Caesar dip.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my creamy chicken Caesar dip watery?

This usually happens if the wrong kind of cream cheese is used. I highly recommend using brick-style cream cheese because the whipped variety has extra ingredients added that make it softer. Also, the air added to make it fluffy dissipates during baking, leaving it thin and watery.

How can I soften my cream cheese fast?

There are several ways. The fastest way is to unwrap it completely and cut it into small chunks. Then, cover them with a paper towel in case they splatter. Now, microwave them on low for 20 seconds. Stir, and if they need more heating, continue for 10 seconds at a time, stirring in between each interval. Another way is to leave it in the foil and place it in a bowl of warm water for about 5 minutes. Or heat a bowl of water, pour it out, and put the cream cheese in the empty bowl with a tight lid.

Can I use low-fat or fat-free cream cheese?

Another thing to avoid for this recipe is low-fat cream cheese. When cooked, the lower-fat version melts more because it contains less solid fat. This makes the dip less creamy and soggier. It will not set as it should and may even seem rubbery. Lower fat will also affect the taste, as less fat means less flavor.

Can I use raw chicken?

Not for this recipe. If raw chicken is being used, it would need a whole different recipe. Raw chicken contains bacteria that can cause a serious foodborne illness, so it must be cooked to 165 degrees F before adding it to the dip. If you don’t have rotisserie chicken on hand, simply cook your own. Use my easy recipe to make chicken breasts in the Instant Pot in less than 30 minutes.

Dipping a celery stick in cheesy chicken Caesar dip.

Other delicious dips:

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