Chicken Bacon Ranch Dip

As you approach a busy party season like the winter holidays, it is a good idea to have a handful of last-minute party appetizers ready to go in your freezer. This recipe for Chicken Bacon Ranch Dip is easy to make ahead, freezes beautifully, is easy to bake when you need it last minute, and tastes amazing. It’s a winning recipe.

With just eight ingredients you probably already have in your refrigerator, this is a simple recipe that comes together in minutes and is versatile enough that you can adapt it to your tastes or leave out an ingredient you don’t have on hand if needed.

I buy the big container of dry ranch seasoning from a warehouse store to keep on hand and use in a variety of recipes like this one. You might also enjoy these Ranch Chicken Tenders, for example. If your life would be easier with a stash of easy appetizers in your freezer, you are going to love this Appetizer Freezer Meal Plan Stack.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Dip Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 3 Tbsp. dry Ranch dressing
• 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 green onions, sliced

Assembly Instructions

1. Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Transfer everything to a large resealable bag.
3. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze.

Cooking Instructions

1. Thaw. It does not have to thaw completely, it just has to be able to be transferred to the baking dish and be partially thawed.
2. Bake uncovered in a baking dish or deep dish pie plate at 400°F for 30 minutes (until bubbly). Stir occasionally to blend the cheeses as they melt.
3. If desired, sprinkle with more green onion. 

Can I freeze the leftover cooked dip?

No. Once the cheese has been cooked, the texture will change significantly when frozen. In addition, the chicken is not safe to freeze once cooked, frozen, thawed and reheated.

What is the easiest way to pre-cook bacon for this dip?

You have a few choices. One of my favorite ways to cook bacon fast is to cut it up into bite-sized pieces using kitchen scissors over a hot skillet. I cut four or five strips of bacon at a time using this method. Stir, cook, and stir again. All of the bacon pieces will fall apart and be ready in no time. Strain the grease out, and your bacon is ready to go!

Another easy method is putting six strips of bacon between to layers of good paper towels and microwaving it for about six minutes. It takes about one minute per slice, but because microwave ovens vary you’ll need to check the bacon before six minutes is up and potentially add time as needed.

Finally, if you like to make freezer meals in bulk, cook an entire package of bacon on a sheet pan in the oven at 400ºF for about twenty minutes. All of these are easy options!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Dip Recipe Ideas

Mix up the cheeses in this dish. It can be made with a Mexican blend, colby jack, any variation of cheddar, or a combination of all the leftover cheese bags you have in the deli drawer.

Extra bacon is always acceptable. I like to strain my bacon grease off using a pasta strainer so that the bacon is as grease-free as possible. Then, I save the bacon grease for other uses. You can clarify bacon grease and keep it for several weeks.

Use a rotisserie chicken to make this recipe super easy. You might even be able to make two batches of dip from one rotisserie chicken.

Another option for easy shredded chicken is to cook boneless chicken breasts in a pressure cooker for 10 minutes on high pressure. Use a natural release for five minutes, then finish with a quick release. Finally, shred the chicken using a hand mixer.

Garnish the dip with more freshly diced green onion or scallops, a smattering of chopped parsley or cilantro, or add a little crunch with toasted slivered almonds.

Use bread for the baking dish. Purchase a large loaf of bread, or a bread bowl from the bakery section of your supermarket, hollow it out, and use that as the vessel for baking and serving your dip. Guests can slice the bread and scoop out both bread and dip to enjoy.

Once it is cooked and cooled, you can crush the bacon in a sealed plastic baggy by crushing it in your hands.

How do I store Chicken Bacon Ranch Dip

Leftovers need to be refrigerated and should be used within one or two days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or a larger amount in the oven. Once cooked, the dip will not freeze well.

What to Serve with Chicken Bacon Ranch Dip

Not sure what to dip? Try serving this cheesy ranch dip with any of the following: sliced baguettes (toasted or fresh), garlic toast, bagels, carrot sticks, celery stalks, tortilla chips, crackers, pretzels, roasted fingerling potatoes, apple slices, raw or lightly steamed broccoli or cauliflower, strips of warm pita or flatbread, broccolini, red bell peppers, or meatballs.

Print

Chicken Bacon Ranch Dip

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

50 mins

 

Servings: 8

Calories: 389 kcal

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 3 tbsp dry ranch dressing
• 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 green onions, sliced

Instructions

Assembly Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

2. Transfer to a large resealable bag.

3. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze.

Cooking Instructions

1. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

2. Bake uncovered in a baking dish or deep dish pie plate at 400°F for 30 minutes (until bubbly).

3. If desired, sprinkle with more green onion.