Spicy chicken fajita dip with bell peppers that can also be turned into quesadillas.
It’s here! Football season is here!
I’m not one to watch sports on tv, but I do watch Pittsburgh Steelers football. And you can’t watch football without proper tailgating snacks – dips, chips, sandwiches, wings, more dips.
Sometimes I find the dips are more exciting than the game, including this Chicken Fajita Dip. Chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, homemade fajita seasoning, and bell peppers come together to form a dip that is both spicy and irresistible. The best part? You can easily turn it into quesadillas for dinner (or more snacking).
If you are a buffalo chicken dip lover, then you will definitely be a chicken fajita dip lover.
The idea came to me accidentally when I couldn’t remember if the recipe I wanted to use in my binder was chicken enchilada dip or chicken fajita dip.
Turned out it was chicken enchilada dip, but fajita dip sounded much more exciting because I eat fajitas several time a month. I took the base of my favorite buffalo chicken dip then subbed sour cream for the ranch and fajita seasoning for the hot sauce.
Now time to dip! I recommend using nachos, pretzels, bell pepper strips, and even homemade pita chips that I posted last week.
And thanks to a friend’s idea on Twitter, I now use leftover dip (what’s that? you ask) as a filling for quesadillas. I eat quesadillas quite often for dinner, but you can also serve them as finger food for your tailgating party by cutting the quesadillas into quarters.
Football season is going to be especially rough this year, mainly because Murray was a huge sports cat who watched ESPN all the time with Dad. Seriously, if you put NCIS or Criminal Minds on, he either left the room or took a nap. He had a collar for each season – baseball, hockey, and football. I know Murray is watching his Steelers from the big couch in the sky. Maybe he’s even sitting next to Myron Cope.
Chicken Fajita Dip and Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, chopped (any color)
- 2 cups shredded or chopped cooked chicken (fresh or canned)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into pieces
- 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning (homemade or store bought)
- Nachos, pita chips, bell pepper strips, etc. for dipping
- 8-10 flour tortillas (if making quesadillas)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt butter or heat up the oil. Add onion and bell peppers. Cook for 5 minutes. Add the chicken and sour cream. Cook for another 5 minutes. Add in cream cheese, a few pieces at a time, and stir until melted and smooth. Stir in the fajita seasoning. Remove from the heat and serve warm.
- To make quesadillas, place one tortilla in a large skillet. Spread some of the dip on top then top with another tortilla (alternatively, you can place one tortilla down, spread some of the dip on only half of the tortilla, then fold the remaining half over it). Cook until the bottom is brown. Flip the tortilla and cook until the other side is brown. Remove and cut. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
Lane @ Supper for a Steal says
This sounds great. I even have some fajita seasoning that I whipped up recently.
Carla says
Sounds like I know what you’re having for dinner this week ;)
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I really want to make this dip. It’s not football season down here but I’ll pretend,
Carla says
Hey you don’t need a football game to make this! Throw on a good movie and snack on this ;)
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
Absolutely love using the dip as a filling for quesadillas!
Carla says
Thanks Marjory!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Your dip is calling my name! I love fajitas! What a great idea!
Carla says
Thanks Jennifer!
Cheryl illinois says
GO STEELERS!! They are the only football I watch. I grew up there and nowhere have I found more loyal fans.
Carla says
They sure do! I’ve heard at away games the stadiums are usually flooded with black and gold, which is unusual when teams on the road. We don’t need no stinkin’ cheerleaders ;)
Family Foodie says
This recipe is just pure brilliance! This will be on my coffee table during football games this year!
Carla says
Thanks!
Alida says
YUM! What a creative dip with my favorite Mexican-inspired dish…chicken fajitas! I am impressed with how you can make a dip like this look so beautiful :)
Carla says
Thanks! I tried really hard to distract from the uh lovely color of the dip…
Nicole @ Daily Dish Recipes says
That chicken dip looks fabulous! Yum.
I know football season’s going to be hard for you, this year. I’m sorry :(
Sending hugs and healing good thoughts your way.
Carla says
Thanks. We are to the point we can talk about him and laugh. Like how when I went to my parents last weekend, the whole area downstairs where Murray slept is falling apart – bird and hornet nests outside in the phone wires, ants and beetles getting in the house, ants in the cable box. And here we just thought Murray was lazy haha
Megan @ I Run For Wine says
YUM!!!! This is a great idea. Also, your Murray looks just like my cat Boo!! Boo is also a huge fan of football. Except when his Mommy or Daddy screams at the TV!
Carla says
Yea Murray wasn’t a fan of the screaming either!
Heather @girlichef says
So true, our cats hang out for sports, as well…and yes, WATCH the screen. It must be the action!
I love the sound of this dip…and I can’t decide whether I’d love it more in dip form or quesadilla form. So, I will just make enough so that I can have both!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
Hi Carla! I think we have more Steelers fans than Eagles fans at work but I think they’d agree on your dip for a tailgate! Glad to hear you have good memories of Murray to think about this football season!
Anne @ Webicurean says
I’m always looking for new dip ideas, and this is right up my alley! But, seriously, leftover dip?! ha! I’ll try ;)
Susan says
Oh Murray, I can’t help but chuckle a little. Sir Pugsley likes his sci-fi. Sometimes he will really get into a show and watch the tv with us. I’m digging the dip but I also love that you turned it into quesadillas. It’s the perfect mix to guarantee you’ll get a little bit of everything!
Stacy says
Ah, Murray! He was such a personality. I was just thinking to myself when I first saw your photo that it would be great as a filling for a grilled cheese sandwich or even a baked potato. I see a whole lot of delicious potential here, Carla!
Liz says
Nice recipe. Thank you and have great weekend
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Very inventive dip! Love the repurposing into quesadillas.
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
Fajitas that I can scoop with a chip? I’m SO in!
kathia Rodriguez says
What a great recipe super versatile too.
Kim@Treats & Trinkets says
I love how you made it socially acceptable for me to eat dip at all times during the day. This sounds amazing.
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
I absolutely love this completely different take on chicken dip. Buffalo chicken is great and everything, but a little tired. I think it’d be great with some garlicy naan, perhaps! So yummy!
Hezzi-D says
Go Steelers! Too bad they had a rough start. Oh well, your dip looks amazing! I’m always looking for new dips to try out. I haven’t heard of this one before so I’m excited to try it.
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
Wow… I so wish I could eat this entire thing!
Conni @FoodieArmyWife says
I love it! I have a “dip” that often gets tossed into tortillas and made into burritos. Great for IF there are leftovers ;)
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
Lovely pictures and a great dip! I always love to get a new dip recipe!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
Fajita or enchilada, both dips are very welcome. I never put chicken in a dip now that I think about it, but this one sounds just like dinner at my house! And Murray was awesome!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
aaaaand I need to make myself some quesadillas, stat!
Laura Dembowski says
So cool that this dip is so versatile! Quesadillas are always a winner.
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
i’m loving all of the dip recipes this week! And just when I think nobody could invent a NEW dip anymore, you totally did. I love this so much!
Laura | Small Wallet, Big Appetite says
I love this dip and what a great idea to use it as a filler for quesadillas. But I doubt we would have leftovers as it looks so good so I would imagine I would have to double the batch. :)
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
Woah. This sounds incredible. I love buffalo chicken dip, so I’m pretty sure I’d love this one!
Renee says
The dip sounds great but the quesadillas using the dip sound extraordinary! Brilliant idea.
Jen @ Jen's Favorite Cookies says
Yeah, um, YUM. I would love this in a quesadilla!!
heather @french press says
this DIP, YES please. I WILL be snacking on this this weekend for sure, and spreading it all over quesadillas too