शुक्रवार, 17 सितंबर 2021

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Dip

This chicken alfredo dip is out of this world! It’s creamy, cheesy, loaded with chicken, AND made from scratch! It’s perfect for an appetizer or a delicious side dish!

I go crazy over anything involving dips! They are SOO good and this one is absolutely no exception!! And while you’re making this one, go ahead and try these others! This Dill Pickle Dip, Million Dollar Dip, and this Hot Crab Dip are some of the BEST!

A crostini being dipped in chicken alfredo dip.

Chicken Alfredo Dip

If you’re new here then you probably don’t know that I love dips! Like, give me all the creamy and cheesy dips and I will be happy as a clam! Whether it’s a hot dip, a cold dip, or leftover dip that I have to scrape the bowl for, I am here for it! This chicken alfredo dip may just be my favorite. It is cream cheese and homemade Italian seasoning that is loaded with extra cheese and chicken. Then, it’s topped with cheese (obviously), and baked until it’s totally ooey-gooey and irresistible.

It’s perfect for game day or and hearty enough for when you’re entertaining! If we’re being honest here, you could even eat this as a casual lunch or dinner. Pair it with some crackers and some veggies (broccoli is especially great with this!) and you have yourself a very tasty dish! Or… you could use my personal favorite…. bread. You could use any kind of bread but I especially like bread with a hard crust. Like bruschetta or a crostini! This dip is addictive and once you make it once, you will come back to it again and again!

Ingredients in Easy Chicken Alfredo Dip

These ingredients combined together make the most creamy and flavorful chicken alfredo dip! Plus, they are simple and you probably already have them at your house! See the recipe card below for a list of exact measurements.

  • Butter and flour: Mixed together, this will create a roux (a thickening agent) for this dip!
  • Garlic cloves: Mince up your garlic cloves evenly. If you don’t have any fresh ones, you can use minced garlic from your fridge. ½ tsp equals about 1 clove of garlic.
  • Milk: You can use 1% or 2% for this recipe!
  • Cream cheese: This brings that delicious tangy flavor. Plus, it works as a base for the whole dip!
  • Mozzarella and parmesan cheese: Shredded cheese works the best for this!
  • Chicken: A shredded rotisserie chicken is perfect for this recipe!
  • Italian seasoning: This homemade Italian seasoning will be worth the extra 5 minutes to make!
  • Salt and pepper: Add these flavors in to enhance the other ingredients!

How to Make Chicken Alfredo Dip

If you have 30 minutes, then you have enough time to make this chicken alfredo dip! And for 25 of those minutes, this is baking in the oven! It’s super easy and the taste will be worth every second!

  1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small skillet over medium high heat add the butter until it is melted. Whisk in flour to create a roux.
  2. Whisk: Add in minced garlic and milk and whisk until smooth. Reduce heat and add in cream cheese and stir until smooth and creamy.
  3. Stir: Add in 1 cup mozzarella cheese, parmesan, chicken,Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and stir until combined.
  4. Bake and serve: Top with ½ cup mozzarella and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Serve with crostini, broccoli and desired veggies.
4 pictures showing step by step pictures of how to make dip.

Varitations To Try

Dips are a favorite of mine because I can switch things up so easily! Depending on what you serve them with, it can be totally different every time! Here are a few ideas on some things that go well with this chicken alfredo dip.

  • Veggies: Vegetables are SO tasty with this dip. I like to slice up cucumbers and put a bit of this on top of each of them on a plate! Or, serve this with either cooked or raw broccoli and they go SO well together. Asparagus and peppers are delicious with it too! Really, you can’t go wrong adding any veggies to this.
  • Add in some crunch: You can dip any crackers or chips or pretzels in this and they will all complement this dip so well!
  • Bread: If you have any bread on hand (especially a baguette or a crostini) then slice it up and put it on a platter with this. It makes an excellent appetizer!
  • Add it to pasta: This IS a dip but you can top on your pasta for a rich and filling meal! Trust me, it tastes like homemade alfredo!
  • Add toppings: You can top this dip with green onions, bacon, tomatoes or parsley!
Chicken alfredo dip with a crostini in a skillet.

Can I Make This and Store it For Later?

YES. This chicken alfredo dip is such a great appetizer and it’s especially nice to be able to cook this beforehand. That way, you can focus your time and attention on your other side dishes or your main entree!

Make it in Advance:

  • Mix but don’t cook: If you want to make this beforehand, mix it all up (but DON’T cook it) and store it in your fridge. It can be stored up to 8 hours. Take it out and cook it according to the recipe card below! Add a minute or two to the cooking time since it started out cold.

Storing Leftovers:

  • Refrigerate: Once the dip has cooled, store it in an airtight container in your fridge. It can last up to 3-4 days in the fridge.
  • Reheating: You can either bake it at 350 degrees for 15 minutes (or until heated through) or, you can microwave it on high for 2 minutes. Stir every 30 seconds. Either way, when you are reheating this, make sure to stir it well after so that the cream cheese doesn’t curdle!
A close up of chicken alfredo dip.
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Creamy Chicken Alfredo Dip

This chicken alfredo dip is out of this world! It’s creamy, cheesy, loaded with chicken, AND made from scratch! It's perfect for an appetizer or a delicious side dish!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian American
Keyword alfredo dip, chicken alfredo dip
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 12 people
Calories 390kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • 2 Tablespoons Flour
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup milk
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella divided
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken shredded rotisserie works great
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small skillet over medium-high heat add the butter until it is melted. Whisk in flour to create a roux.
  • Add in minced garlic and milk and whisk until smooth. Reduce heat and add in cream cheese and stir until smooth and creamy.
  • Add in 1 cup mozzarella cheese, parmesan, chicken, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and stir until combined.
  • Top with ½ cup mozzarella and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Serve with crostini, broccoli, and desired veggies.

Notes

Updated on September 17, 2021
Originally Posted on December 28, 2016

Nutrition

Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 1913mg | Potassium: 421mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 756IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 299mg | Iron: 1mg


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गुरुवार, 16 सितंबर 2021

Mississippi Mud Cake

Mississippi mud cake is a delicious, ooey-gooey cake that is perfectly moist. It is absolutely amazing! And let me warn you now… you won’t be able to stop after just one piece!

If you love chocolate then you definitely need to try this cake! It is so yummy and easy to make! You will be bringing this to every event and holiday party because you won’t be able to get enough of it. For more chocolate cake recipes, try out this Lasagna Cake, the one and only AMAZING Texas Sheet Cake, and my favorite Chocolate Cupcakes!

Mississippi mud cake being cut into with a fork.

What is Mississippi Mud Cake?

This is an excellent question! And one that you definitely will want to know the answer to. Mississippi mud cake is layers of chocolate and soft, fluffy marshmallows! To be honest, you will be able to see just how tender and moist this cake is when you take your first bite! And if you are a chocolate lover then this recipe is definitely for you! It reminds me a little bit of Texas Sheet Cake with marshmallows or Classic Chocolate Cake with a twist! And not only is this delicious to eat up but it is so simple and easy to make!

Even though this cake is mostly chocolate and marshmallows, it’s an easy one to add to and make your own! In fact, try adding in some walnuts or pecans to the batter or the frosting if you love nuts! I love it when I can do this to cakes because it makes them different every time! Once you mix in that crunch with that yummy moist cake, you will be in absolute heaven! This cake is absolutely sensational! It’s one of those recipes that gets requested often at our house. It’s definitely a recipe that your family will go crazy for!

Ingredients in Mississippi Mud Cake

This ingredients list is simple and you will most likely have all of these ingredients already in your kitchen! This delicious cake is a home run for just about everyone! See the recipe card below for a list of exact measurements.

  • Vegetable oil: Using this instead of butter is what makes this a tender, moist cake.
  • Coffee: This does’t make the cake taste like coffee! But if you would rather, you can use buttermilk or warm water instead!
  • Eggs: Used to keep all of the ingredients together.
  • Vanilla: Adds a sweet flavor
  • Flour: neccessary for a base to your batter!
  • Sugar: You can’t bake a good cake without sugar!
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder: Make sure that you are NOT using Dutch process cocoa powder.
  • Baking soda: This will help the cake to rise.
  • Salt: Salt enhances all of the other ingredients.
  • Mini Marshmallows: These are the best part about this cake! toasted to perfection, you won’t want to miss these!

Frosting

  • Butter: Use unsalted butter for the best results.
  • Milk: You can use 1% or 2% milk.
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder: The same cocoa powder you used in the batter will be great!
  • Powdered sugar: Frosting uses powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar because it dissolve quickly and makes your frosting smooth!
  • Vanilla extract: This adds in the perfect, sweet flavor to the frosting.
  • Salt: Use a dash of salt to enhance the other ingredients.
  • Pecans or walnuts: These are totally optional 

How to Make Mississippi Mud Cake

This cake only takes a few minutes to mix together! The rest of the time will be a test to see if you can wait patiently while it bakes in the oven! Your mouth will be watering the whole time… Good luck!

  1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 325°. Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Whisk wet ingredients: In a large bowl whisk together the vegetable oil, warm coffee, eggs, and vanilla until combined.
  3. Mix in dry ingredients: In a medium bowl sift together the flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently whisk together until fully combined.
  4. Bake and add marshmallows: Fill the pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, until the center of the cake springs back lightly when pressed on, or a toothpick comes out clean. Immediately add the whole bag of marshmallows over the top of the hot cake and return to the oven. Bake for 2-3 minutes, just until the marshmallows are starting to puff and melt.
  5. Cool and frost: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely. Drizzle the frosting over the cake while the frosting is still warm. Allow to chill in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes until the frosting has set before serving.

How to Make Frosting

  1. Simmer: In a medium sauce over medium heat combine the butter, milk and cocoa powder. Cook until simmering and simmer for 2-3 minutes, being sure to stir constantly.
  2. Add more ingredients and whisk: Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla and powdered sugar. You can use a hand mixer to get the frosting nice and smooth if you would like.
  3. Drizzle: Drizzle the warm frosting over the cake and allow to chill in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before serving.
The process shots of making mudslide cake.

Tips for Making This Cake

Mississippi mud cake is a classic southern cake! It’s quick and easy to make and will be sure to WOW a crowd! Here are a few tips to help you make the best cake!

  • Vegetable oil: Use vegetable oil instead of butter in this recipe. This will give make your cake tender and very moist. If you’d like to substitute the oil for butter you can, but know that it will change the texture.
  • Use room temperature ingredients: You have to prepare ahead for this! But it will make your batter so smooth. If you do this, then the ingredients will blend better and make a lighter, fluffier cake!
  • Coffee: There won’t be any coffee flavor in your cake! This just enhances it and makes for a deeper, richer chocolate flavor. If you don’t want to use coffee you can substitute it for buttermilk or even hot water!
  • Cocoa powder: This cake HAS to use regular cocoa powder. It activates the baking soda in the recipe. If you use Dutch process cocoa powder instead, the cake won’t rise! Dutch process cocoa powder won’t have the proper reaction with the baking soda.
  • Baked marshmallows: Don’t leave the cake in the oven too long after you’ve added the marshmallows! If you leave them in the oven for longer than 2-3 minutes you run the risk of the marshmallows getting too big and then they will deflate.
Mississippi mud cake on a serving spoon.

Storing Leftovers

If you are lucky enough to have any of this leftover for later, you want to make sure you know what to do with the extras! Here are some tips on how you can store it!

  • Don’t refrigerate or freeze: The marshmallows from getting too cold and hard.
  • Store at room temperature: Wrap the cake pan with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. You can store it at room temperature for up to 5 days!
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Mississippi Mud Cake

Mississippi mud cake is a delicious, ooey-gooey cake that is perfectly moist. It is absolutely amazing! And let me warn you now… you won't be able to stop after just one piece!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword mississippi mud cake
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 People
Calories 509kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 and 1/4 cup warm coffee
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 and 1/4 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 and 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (NOT Dutch process)
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (10.5 ounces) bag of Mini Marshmallows

Frosting

  • ½ cup unsalted Butter
  • 5 Tablespoons milk
  • 3 Tablespoons unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 dash salt
  • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325°. Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the vegetable oil, warm coffee, eggs, and vanilla until combined.
  • In a medium bowl sift together the flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently whisk together until fully combined.
  • Fill the pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, until the center of the cake springs back lightly when pressed on, or a toothpick comes out clean. Immediately add the whole bag of marshmallows over the top of the hot cake and return to the oven. Bake for 2-3 minutes, just until the marshmallows are starting to puff and melt.
  • Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely. Drizzle the frosting over the cake while the frosting is still warm. Allow to chill in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes until the frosting has set before serving.

Frosting

  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat combine the butter, milk, and cocoa powder. Cook until simmering and simmer for 2-3 minutes, being sure to stir constantly.
  • Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla and powdered sugar. You can use a hand mixer to get the frosting nice and smooth if you would like.
  • Drizzle the warm frosting over the cake and allow to chill in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 509kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 398mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 291IU | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg


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Crostini

This easy, baked crostini is the best side to any Italian meal! They’re golden, delicate pieces of heaven ready for your favorite toppings!

To me, Italian sides are sometimes better than the entrées! You can never go wrong with appetizers loaded with flavor. Strawberry, bacon feta and traditional tomato bruschettas are my go-to sides for an Italian-inspired dinner!

Closeup of crostini pieces on a white plate.

Baked Crostini Recipe

If you aren’t familiar with crostini, meet your new favorite appetizer! These little pieces of bread are baked to perfection. It all starts with a simple baguette. All you have to do is cut it into small pieces, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle on some sea salt, and voila! The perfect little morsels to accompany any meal. Unlike bruschetta, crostini is smaller and more delicate. It literally means “little crusts” in Italian. This makes them absolutely perfect for parties and get-togethers. They’re easy to munch on and top with your favorite spreads! I’ve been liking to keep things simple and add tomato basil salad on top. Honestly, though, the sky is the limit! I’ve seen them topped with things like cream cheese, avocado, and even fruits! See my tips section below for more ideas.

Since these are so easy to make, I usually bake them up with Italian dinners. My kids eat so many of these. They never want to eat the actual meal! Crostini makes a great side but is also perfect for meat platters and parties. I don’t know anyone that could resist a tiny, warm piece of goodness. Your friends and family will love them! And with how crazy easy they are to make? Don’t blame me if they become your new obsession! I swear I could eat a whole batch by myself.

Crostini Ingredients

It only takes 3 ingredients to prepare crostini. I love how simple it is! From there, all you need are your favorite toppings and you are ready to serve! Measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

  • Baguette: Look for small or medium-sized baguettes that are narrow. The smaller the better for this recipe! See more on picking out the best baguette below.
  • Olive Oil: This is used for adding flavor and also moistening the bread. You can use any kind you like, but my personal preference is extra virgin olive oil! I just feel like it adds a richer flavor.
  • Salt: Used for enhancing flavor. Sea salt or flaky salt works best here for adding a hint of texture.
  • Basil Tomato Salad Topping: While you can top crostini with just about anything, I like to use my basil tomato salad! They are small, tasty pieces of tomato soaked in olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette. So simple but so delicious!

How to Make Crostini

Using this recipe to make crostini is foolproof! The most important part is picking out your baguette. The rest of the steps to make it are actually really easy! This is the tastiest foundation for all of your favorite toppings! You’re going to love the end result.

  1. Preheat Oven: To begin, preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Prep Bread: Next up, lay the bread slices on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Top them with sea salt and place in the oven.
  3. Bake: Bake for 7-10 minutes then flip them and drizzle the other side with olive oil. Bake for 3-5 more minutes or until they’re crispy and browned.
  4. Add Toppings: Top with basil tomato salad if desired.
Holding a piece of crostini topped with tomato basil salad.

Choosing the Perfect Baguette

The baguette you choose to make crostini with is going to make or break it. So for best results, here are some tips for picking bread! If you’re up for the challenge, try making a baguette at home! It’s easier than you’d think and turns out perfectly every time!

  • Size: For crostini, you want small or medium baguettes that are narrow. We want smaller slices in this recipe. Already have a baguette but it’s on the larger side? It may work out better for bruschetta instead.
  • Texture: This is really about preference, but I like to work with softer bruschetta so my pieces don’t end up too hard. Baguettes will become more dry and hard as days go on, so unless you’re going to make your crostini same-day, look for a softer baguette. Baking harder baguettes will yield more cracker-like crostini.
Process shots of adding olive oil and salt to baguette pieces.

Baking Tips and Topping Suggestions

It’s easy to make a tasty appetizer that everyone will enjoy! Here are some ways to perfect your crostini and some of my favorite topping combinations!

  • Getting the Best Texture: The best way to achieve optimal consistency with your crostini is to cook it at a higher temperature for a shorter amount of time. This gets the outside nice and crispy without dehydrating and hardening the whole slice.
  • Slices: You want to make sure that your slices are in a happy medium of thickness. Too thin, and they won’t hold up toppings, too thick and you’ll have too much bread to topping ratio. I try to stick around the half-inch mark for my slices.
  • Slices Are Too Crispy: If you have overbaked your crostini, don’t worry! You can fix this by adding a moist topping like diced tomatoes or jam and letting it sit. A dash of olive oil can also help to soften it up.
  • Spreads and Toppings: Tomato basil is a classic pairing, but ricotta cheese, cream cheese, brie, and guacamole are just a few spreads you can start out with. For toppings, meats like serrano ham and salmon taste great! You can also make a sweet-savory version by adding a dollop of fruit or jam on top of your cheese. It’s fun to mix and match!

What Can I Serve Crostini With?

Crostini can easily be made to feed a crowd. This makes it a great to serve with a charcuterie board! It can also be served as a side for Italian-themed dinners. With soup, pasta, salad, you name it! The flavor is so versatile and can work great with just about anything depending on the toppings you choose to add! Because of their small size, crostini is also great for dipping! Hot dips like my spinach artichoke dip is amazing with them!

Crostini pieces topped with tomato basil salad.

Storing Leftover Crostini

Crostini are best served fresh out of the oven, but can be stored to have a tasty side on hand! It can also be frozen and made in advance to make meal preparation quick and easy.

  • At Room Temperature: Crostini will last for up to 1 week in a sealed plastic bag.
  • In the Freezer: You can freeze crostini without any toppings. Simply brush them with olive oil and put them in a resealable freezer bag. They will last for up to 3 months. Once you’re ready to use them, let them thaw at room temperature and then pop them in the oven as directed in the recipe.
Slices of crostini without any toppings.
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Crostini

This easy, baked crostini is the best side to any Italian meal! They're golden, delicate pieces of heaven ready for your favorite toppings!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian, Italian American
Keyword crostini
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 175kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • 1 baguette cut into ½ inch slices
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 a teaspoon salt

Optional Topping:

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lay the bread slices on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Top them with sea salt and place in the oven. Bake for 7-10 minutes then flip them and drizzle the other side with olive oil.
  • Bake for 3-5 more minutes or until they're crispy and browned. Top with basil tomato salad if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 256mg | Potassium: 46mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg


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