I grew up thinking seven layer dip was strictly a bean and cheese affair. That’s how we always had it at family gatherings, and nobody questioned it. When my husband made it with seasoned chicken one game day, I thought he was breaking some unwritten rule of party food.
But you know what? Adding chicken to seven layer dip isn’t just okay – it’s actually better than the original. It turns a side dish into a complete meal, and my kids now request it for dinner instead of just snacking on it during football games. Who knew breaking the “rules” could lead to something so good?
Why You’ll Love This Seven Layer Dip
- Quick preparation – Ready in just 30 minutes, this dip is perfect for last-minute gatherings or when you need a quick but impressive appetizer.
- Protein-packed twist – Unlike traditional seven layer dip, this version includes seasoned chicken, making it hearty enough to serve as a light meal.
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prepare most components in advance and assemble just before serving, making party planning so much easier.
- Customizable layers – Switch up the toppings based on what you have – swap tomatoes for olives, add different cheese, or adjust the spice level of your salsa to make it your own.
- Party favorite – This crowd-pleasing dip combines fresh ingredients and bold flavors that always have people asking for the recipe.
What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?
For a seven layer dip, boneless, skinless chicken breast is your best bet since it’s lean and takes on flavors really well. While you could use chicken thighs instead, they might make the dip a bit too rich and could release more fat than you want. Fresh chicken works great here, but if you’re in a pinch, you can definitely use frozen chicken breast – just make sure it’s completely thawed before cooking. The key is to cut your chicken into small, even pieces (about 1/2 inch cubes) so they cook quickly and evenly, and are easy to scoop up with chips when serving.
Options for Substitutions
This dip is super adaptable and you can make several easy swaps depending on what you have in your kitchen:
- Chicken breast: You can easily swap chicken breast for ground turkey, ground chicken, or even black or pinto beans for a vegetarian version. If using beans, just skip the cooking step and mix them with the taco seasoning.
- Taco seasoning: Out of taco seasoning? Make your own with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of oregano. Or use fajita seasoning as a quick substitute.
- Avocados: If you can’t find ripe avocados, you can use store-bought guacamole. For a different twist, try a layer of refried beans instead.
- Sour cream: Plain Greek yogurt works great as a healthier alternative to sour cream. It has the same tangy taste and creamy texture.
- Cheddar cheese: Feel free to use Monterey Jack, Mexican cheese blend, or pepper jack if you want to add a bit of heat.
- Iceberg lettuce: Romaine or green leaf lettuce can replace iceberg – just make sure to chop it finely. You can even use shredded cabbage for extra crunch.
- Black olives: Not an olive fan? Go with diced tomatoes, or try pickled jalapeños if you like it spicy.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest challenge when making seven layer dip is preventing the avocado layer from turning brown – combat this by adding enough lime juice and pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface if you’re making it ahead. Temperature control is crucial too – letting the chicken cool completely before layering prevents the sour cream from becoming runny and keeps your layers distinct and well-defined. Another common mistake is not draining excess liquid from your ingredients – be sure to drain the cooked chicken well and pat your lettuce dry to avoid a watery dip that could seep through the layers. For the best texture and presentation, avoid over-mixing the layers when spreading them, and if you’re making this ahead, wait to add the lettuce, cheese, and other fresh toppings until just before serving to maintain their crunch and freshness.
What to Serve With Seven Layer Dip?
This hearty chicken seven layer dip practically begs for a big bowl of tortilla chips – I like using the scoop-shaped ones since they’re perfect for getting all those tasty layers in one bite! For a fresher option, try serving it with a rainbow of cut vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and cucumber slices, which add a nice crunch and make great dippers. If you’re hosting a party, round out your spread with some Mexican-inspired sides like corn salad or black bean salad. And don’t forget to put out some lime wedges on the side – a little squeeze of fresh citrus really makes all the flavors pop!
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: You can keep your seven layer dip in the fridge for up to 3 days. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. The avocado layer might darken a bit, but a little extra lime juice on top helps prevent this. For the best presentation and freshness, I recommend assembling this dip no more than 24 hours before serving.
Make Ahead: Want to prep this dip in advance? Cook and season the chicken up to 2 days ahead and store it separately in the fridge. You can also prep individual components like the avocado mixture and store them separately. When you’re ready to serve, just layer everything together for the freshest result!
Leftovers: If you have leftover dip, know that the lettuce might get a bit wilted and watery over time. Consider keeping some fresh lettuce on hand to refresh the top layer when serving leftovers. The chicken and other layers will still taste great for a few days!
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 25-35 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2200-2400
- Protein: 120-130 g
- Fat: 150-160 g
- Carbohydrates: 80-90 g
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast (cut into small pieces)
- 1 package taco seasoning (with water for preparation)
- 3 large ripe avocados
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
- 1 cup thick salsa
- 2 cups finely shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 green onions (thinly sliced)
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives or diced tomatoes
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
Begin by adding oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken pieces and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through.
Sprinkle with taco seasoning and add water as directed on the taco seasoning package.
Continue cooking, following the package instructions.
Once done, remove the skillet from the heat and allow the chicken to cool for about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Guacamole
While the chicken is cooling, prepare the guacamole.
Remove the peel and seeds from the avocados and place the flesh into a medium bowl.
Add lime juice and garlic salt.
Mash the mixture until it reaches a mostly smooth consistency.
This will be a creamy base full of flavor.
Step 3: Assemble the Layers
Transfer the prepared guacamole into a 7 x 11 inch or 9 x 9 inch dish, spreading it into an even layer.
Next, spoon the cooled taco-seasoned chicken over the guacamole, ensuring an even distribution across the layer.
Step 4: Add Sour Cream and Salsa Mixture
In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream and salsa until they are well mixed.
Carefully spread this mixture over the chicken layer, smoothing it into an even covering.
Step 5: Top with Final Ingredients
Top the sour cream and salsa layer with shredded cheese, followed by shredded lettuce.
Add sliced green onions and sliced black olives as the final touches, creating a flavorful and visually appealing dish.
Step 6: Chill and Serve
Place the completed dish in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
This step allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Serve with your choice of dippers, such as tortilla chips, crackers, or sliced raw vegetables like sweet peppers, cucumbers, or celery for a fresh and crunchy accompaniment.