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    • Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes -->This collection of easy chicken dinner recipes features some of our favorite family dishes, perfect for making a healthy, delicious home cooked meal on a busy night! Getting a healthy, home cooked meal on the table every night can be challenging. Particularly with the demands of work, school, activities and social obligations, well, it can be the last thing we want to do at the end of the day. So I’ve got tons of easy chicken recipes at my disposal that I turn to when I need to whip something up for us on one of those busy weeknights. (Or even busy weekends – dinners can be tough then, too!) And this collection of easy chicken dinner recipes has some that we make over and over again. It includes everything from skillet chicken dinners to slow cooker chicken recipes, one-pot chicken pastas, soups and salads with chicken, chicken burgers and meatballs, sheet pan chicken dinners and easy chicken casseroles. Are you looking for fast as well as easy? Me too. I’ve got collections of chicken recipes in under 30 minutes and, faster still, chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. Or if you want to browse them all, my quick chicken recipes…
      • Easy Chicken Recipes with Few IngredientsThese easy chicken recipes with few ingredients include some great healthy lunch and dinner options, all made with 5 or fewer ingredients! I am all about the EASY when it comes to cooking. I don’t like to fuss much over my food and I certainly don’t like to spend a ton of time in the kitchen at the end of a long day. Easy chicken dinner recipes and healthy lunch recipes with chicken are much more my style. (As are chicken recipes in under 30 minutes and, faster yet, chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. Cause life.) Speaking of life, a million trips to the grocery store also aren’t fun during a busy week. (Especially with little ones in tow!) So I’ve got these go-to easy chicken recipes with few ingredients that help me keep dinnertime simple. And my sanity intact. In fact, one of the first cookbooks I bought on my own, at a used bookstore in Washington, D.C., where I lived for a few years after college, was titled 3-ingredient recipes. I was pretty new to cooking and thought, I think I can handle that. My cooking skills have improved, but I still go for the simple chicken recipes…
      • Quick Chicken RecipesThis collection of quick chicken recipes features some of our favorite family dinners and go-to lunches, all ready in 30 minutes or less! From chicken skillet dinners to one-pot pastas, salads to burgers, you’re sure to find some new favorites! If you know me, you know I am ALL about the quick and easy recipes. I love making all of our homemade meals and home cooked dinners, but like you, I’ve also got a hundred other things to juggle and so keeping things simple in the kitchen is a must. And these quick chicken recipes include all of my chicken recipes in under 30 minutes and, even faster, chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. Sanity savers for sure. Busy weeknights have nothing on us! A few of our favorites from these quick chicken recipes: Healthy chicken Alfredo with broccoli Creamy chipotle chicken 20-minute chicken and tortellini soup with kale Skillet salsa chicken Easy creamy chicken This collection also has some healthy lunch recipes with chicken for mixing up your lunch routine. (It doesn’t include my slow cooker chicken recipes though, since those aren’t ready in 30 minutes. But they can be super quick to prep in the morning and then…
        • Chicken Recipes in Under 15 MinutesThese easy chicken recipes in under 15 minutes are perfect for dinner on a busy weeknight! From one-pot wonders to salads, chicken skillets to tacos, you’re sure to find some new fast favorites! You know those nights when you walk in the door and need dinner pronto?! Like, 5 minutes ago? That’s when I turn to these quick and easy chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. I can make a healthy, home cooked meal for my family and be sitting down to enjoy it in no time. Cause plenty of evenings, 15 minutes is often all the time I have – or want to spend – on dinner. I’m not alone on that, right?! You can browse below but I thought I’d highlight a couple that I make over and over again. A few of our favorite easy chicken recipes in under 15 minutes: 15-minute honey garlic chicken (gets rave reviews!) Southwest chicken skillet dinner (pile on your favorite toppings!) Quick chicken curry (perfect with rice and peas) One-pot low-carb leftover chicken recipe with spinach (my dad’s go-to recipe) This collection also includes some healthy lunch options that are quick to put together — like the Asian chicken mason jar…
        • Chicken Recipes in Under 30 MinutesThese easy chicken recipes in under 30 minutes are perfect for dinner on a busy weeknight! From one-pan meals to burgers, one-pot pastas to healthy salads, you’re sure to find some new favorites! Quick, easy and mostly healthy is pretty much the name of the game for dinner at my house. I love a home cooked meal and we eat a ton of chicken, which means I’ve come up with and found a lot of easy chicken recipes over the years. And this collection highlights some of my easy chicken recipes in under 30 minutes, when you want something delicious but need it on the table pretty quickly. Is that every single night for you too? We’ve got everything from skillet chicken dishes to chicken pasta and from soups and salads with chicken to chicken meatballs and burgers. All the chicken love! Many of these recipes use boneless, skinless chicken breasts (though you could substitute chicken thighs if you prefer) while others use ground chicken and some rely on pre-cooked chicken, such as a rotisserie chicken you pick up at the store or some leftover grilled or baked chicken. Lots of these 30 minute chicken dinners are complete meals but…
      • Healthy One-Pot Chicken DinnersHealthy one-pot chicken dinners are such a help on busy days! This collection includes everything from one-pot pastas and skillets to easy slow cooker and sheet pan recipes to help you get an easy, healthy and delicious dinner on the table any night! I am ALL about quick and easy meals. I cook our dinner 99% of the time, including on days when work has blown up in my face, or the kids have decided to coordinate their melt-downs, or we’re all just wiped out and hungry. And even though I love to cook, I definitely have those days when I’m just not feeling it. Enter some quick and easy one-pot chicken dinners for the win! These are great to have in your back pocket for busy days, busy weeks or in case of a “kids-are-making-me-crazy” kinda moment. (My husband also loves these meals because he’s on clean-up duty and it’s nice not to have a huge pile of dishes staring you down after dinner!) Many of these dishes are complete meals on their own. Others are low-carb as written, but can easily be paired with some rice, pasta, bread or potatoes to bulk them up a bit. Here are…
      • Slow Cooker Chicken RecipesThese hands-off slow cooker chicken recipes will put your slow cooker to work and have you coming home to a delicious, healthy dinner that’s ready to go! Some days, you just need someone else to make you dinner. I’m not talking takeout or delivery or a restaurant dinner. I’m talking about your crock pot or slow cooker. I find it supremely satisfying to go about my day, knowing that a delicious home cooked dinner is cooking up at home for me. I can play with the kids, take them to practices, run errands or just relax with a book and breathe easy. These slow cooker chicken recipes mean there is just one less thing to do in the evening and that’s a great thing on a busy day! This collection includes slow cooker recipes for boneless, skinless chicken breasts as well as chicken thighs (though you can usually sub either one). And many of these take just minutes to prep in the morning! 👍 Here’s a few of our favorite slow cooker chicken recipes: Slow cooker balsamic chicken Slow cooker bistro chicken thighs Slow cooker apricot chicken Crock pot Mediterranean chicken Slow cooker teriyaki chicken And be sure to check…
    • Easy Vegetarian RecipesEasy vegetarian recipes include main-dish meals that are hearty and satisfying and can stand alone for lunch or dinner (with a few savory breakfast options as well). Everything from one-pot veggie pastas to stuffed squash to chili to veggie burgers and hearty grain bowls and salads, there are meatless options here for everyone! I am a veggie lover through and through. 💚💚💚 I adore getting in as many vegetables as I can, throughout the day really, and I often make easy vegetarian dinners a couple of times a week. (Hello meatless Monday, I’m looking at you!) So over the years, I’ve created tons of great veggie-based meals that can stand on their own for lunch or dinner and be hearty and satisfying. And that are also mostly quick and easy, because I work as a health and nutrition editor and we’ve got a busy family so cooking on a weeknight needs to be low-key. My one-pot vegetarian spaghetti has been a hugely popular recipe here on the blog and you guys can’t seem to get enough of my grain bowls and salads. I know the feeling. 😉 I wanted to round up some of these in an easy-to-browse category that features…
    • Healthy Oatmeal RecipesA collection of healthy oatmeal recipes, including sweet and savory breakfast and brunch options as well as delicious, wholesome snacks and desserts. We are pretty much oatmeal fanatics in my house. ALL of us adore oatmeal and it’s a rare day that we’re not making or eating something with oats or oatmeal in it at some point during the day. And I mean all four of us – my husband, myself and our kids (currently ages 6 and 4). Our go-to 3-minute microwave oatmeal is a morning staple for my husband and a weekly staple for the kids and me. My kids eat overnight oatmeal jars at least twice a week for breakfast and we often have baked oatmeal another morning of the week. For school lunches or afternoon snack, we can be found munching on some no-bake cookie or energy balls with oats, oatmeal cookies of some variety or if they’ve asked nicely, I’ll make a batch of granola and we all just shovel handful after handful until it’s gone. Want to know some of our very favorites of the group below? OK, I’ll share! Our family’s favorite healthy oatmeal recipes: Healthy chocolate chip muffins Overnight oatmeal jars, 3…
    • Healthy Muffin RecipesA collection of easy, kid-friendly healthy muffin recipes for all times of day: breakfast, school lunch, snacking, dinner and dessert! We are BIG muffin lovers in this house, at all times of day! My kiddos love them for breakfast, brunch, school lunch, afternoon snack and sometimes even savory muffins at dinner. Muffins all the time! I’ve made thousands of healthy muffin recipes over the years and I love sharing them with you! There are plenty to browse below and plenty more I plan to add! (You can sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a recipe. You’ll also get my FREE e-book of easy weeknight dinners.) Wondering where to start? Spinach banana mini muffins and whole wheat pumpkin muffins are some of our constant favorites. Healthy peanut butter and jelly muffins are fun for lunch and easy cheesy cornbread muffins are great for a quick + easy dinner side, especially with soup or chili! And if you’re in the mood for a little chocolate (I know I always am!) you can’t go wrong with my healthy chocolate chip muffins. Hope you find some new favorite healthy muffin recipes! XO, Kathryn
    • Healthy DessertsThis collection of healthy desserts features everything from lightened up cookie bars and brownies to cakes, muffins and breads to no-bake energy bites. It’s the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth while staying on track with healthy choices! Healthy desserts are kind-of my jam. I like a dessert that gives back. One that has redeeming qualities. A sweet treat that’s going to treat me right. But of course, it also needs to be delicious so I actually satisfy those sweet cravings! The healthier dessert recipes you’ll find below are some of our go-to treats that are perfect for a healthier late-night option and many of which are great for offering kids a wholesome, but fun, treat for an after-school snack or tucked in their lunch box. Most of these recipes are whole grain and naturally sweetened, others are recipe makeovers that are lower in sugar and/or butter. A majority of them contain chocolate. 🍫❤️ And ALL are easy to make. (You can also check out my healthy muffin recipes and my entire category of sweets & desserts if you want more.) Here’s a few of our favorite healthy desserts: Healthy chocolate chip muffins Healthier no bake cookie bars No…
    • Healthy Fall BakingThese healthy fall baking favorites include everything from muffins and baked oatmeal to snacks to cookies and cakes. These fall recipes are whole grain and most are naturally sweetened for a wholesome, delicious treat at breakfast, snack, school lunch or dessert! Does anyone else get the baking bug when the cooler weather starts to roll in during autumn? I know I do! I get excited for all the apple baking projects, pumpkin baking projects and even getting ready for all the holiday baking to come! 🍎🎃 The spices, the warmth, the aroma of having something in the oven is just part of the season for me. Plus the love that comes from a homemade baked good – it just can’t be beat! ❤️ And y’all know my style is definitely a healthier version of baking. I use whole grains and most of my recipes are naturally sweetened. I try to lighten things up where possible and keep to mostly wholesome treats, maybe with a little indulgence here and there! 😉 Wondering where to start? Here are some of our healthy fall baking favorites: Chocolate chip apple cake Pumpkin baked oatmeal with chocolate chips Whole wheat pumpkin applesauce bread Easy healthy…
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Healthy 7-layer Mexican dip (+ video)

March 5, 2018 By Kathryn Doherty

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy

This quick + easy healthy 7-layer Mexican dip is creamy and cheesy, with some crisp, fresh flavors to balance it out. Full of taco flavor and your favorite toppings, this gorgeous dip is perfect for parties!This quick + easy healthy 7-layer Mexican dip is creamy and cheesy, with some crisp, fresh flavors to balance it out. Full of taco flavor and your favorite toppings, this gorgeous dip is perfect for parties! #7layerdip #appetizers #partyfood #cincodemayo #mexicandip

This recipe first appeared on Real Housemoms, where I am a contributor.

My conference in California last week was ALL kinds of fun!

We were at the Google campus and learned so much about blogging and also had such a great time catching up with friends and meeting new ones.

Food bloggers are a hilarious, amazing, inspiring and lovely bunch of people. 💗I’m happy to be back home of course, and I may require all week to recover from all the fun we had, but I’ll miss hanging out with those ladies all day and night! 🍷💃

So… it’s March now. And in my life, growing up in the South, that’s always meant March Madness.

There are brackets and games and parties and watching. 🏀🏀🏀

And food, of course. 😋

Close up photo of healthy 7-layer Mexican dip on a green serving platter with chips stuck in on all sides and bowls of chips, avocado and olives in the background and a sprinkling of green onions

I pretty much take my football game day favorites and call them basketball eats. #lazyfoodie #samedifference

Some favorites include my cold chili cheese dip, which takes just minutes to put together and is great with chips and veggies, and my healthy slow cooker buffalo chicken, which I love serving up as sliders. They go so fast!

This year though I’m planning to serve up this quick + easy healthy 7-layer Mexican dip!

7-layer Mexican cream cheese dip being assembled on a green serving plate with cream cheese layer and black beans 7-layer Mexican cream cheese dip being assembled on a green serving plate with shredded cheddar cheese on top This quick + easy healthy 7-layer Mexican dip is creamy and cheesy, with some crisp, fresh flavors to balance it out. Full of taco flavor and your favorite toppings, this gorgeous dip is perfect for parties! #7layerdip #appetizers #partyfood #cincodemayo #mexicandip

It takes no time to put together and I can even make it ahead, which means I get to enjoy the fun too. 👍

I also love that it’s super versatile and can be customized to include your favorites.

You can change up the type of cheese or beans you use, add your favorite style of salsa and I’ve left the 7th layer up to you.

This quick + easy healthy 7-layer Mexican dip is creamy and cheesy, with some crisp, fresh flavors to balance it out. Full of taco flavor and your favorite toppings, this gorgeous dip is perfect for parties! #7layerdip #appetizers #partyfood #cincodemayo #mexicandip

Notes and substitutions for healthy 7-layer Mexican dip:

  • I use non-fat Greek yogurt but you can substitute sour cream if you prefer. It’s not as thick as Greek yogurt so you may not need as much to help thin out the cream cheese. Start with 1/2 cup and add from there.
  • I don’t use the entire can of black beans for this recipe, probably about 3/4 of it. Use as much as you like or substitute another kind of canned beans.
  • Iceberg lettuce gives the best crunch for this cream cheese dip, but you could use part romaine if you’d like – the color mix would be pretty!
  • If you don’t want to use the pickled jalapeños, you can substitute pickled red onions or just leave them off. You can use any of the extra topping ideas to make a full 7 layers.
  • I use homemade taco seasoning but you can substitute store-bought.
  • This is a vegetarian cream cheese dip as is, but you could certainly add ground turkey or beef as one of the layers (either as a substitute for the black beans or above or below them in the layers).

Overhead photo of healthy 7-layer Mexican dip on a green serving platter with a sprinkling of green onions

Oh, and for the optional seventh layer, guacamole or diced avocado is perfect if you’re an avocado lover, but halved olives also are super tasty.

You can even go low-key and use some chopped fresh cilantro or sliced green onions as your seventh layer. Whatever you have on hand!

So as always, feel free to customize this and really make it your own with your favorite ingredients.

Any which way, you are going to love the rich, cream cheese base and the bright, fresh veggies in this 7-layer taco dip.

It’s got SO much flavor and it’s a beautiful dish to put out as well! Everyone loves digging into this and you are going to be getting lots of compliments – and requests for the recipe!

Have a wonderful week my friends! ❤️

XO,

Kathryn

P.S. Serving this in a gorgeous dish is a great way to show off your layers. Check out these pretty glass serving dishes.

Yield: 12 servings

Healthy 7-layer Mexican dip

Side angle styled photo of healthy 7-layer Mexican dip on a green serving platter with bowls of chips, avocado and olives in the background

This easy, healthy 7-layer Mexican dip is creamy and cheesy and perfect for parties!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 (8 oz.) blocks of 1/3 less fat plain cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 (15 oz.) can of black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups of shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Monterey Jack)
  • 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños
  • 1 cup prepared salsa or pico de gallo

7th layer options:

  • Guacamole or diced avocado, halved olives, chopped fresh cilantro or chopped green onions. (Or go crazy and use several of these to make an 8-, 9- or 10-layer dip!)

For serving:

  • Tortilla chips, corn chip scoops or fresh veggie sticks (such as bell pepper spears, cucumber rounds, etc.)

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, Greek yogurt and taco seasoning until smooth.
  2. Place cream cheese mixture in an even layer in your serving bowl or plate.
  3. Top cream cheese with black beans, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, jalapeños and salsa. Use your 7th layer topping of choice and serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

I use non-fat Greek yogurt but you can substitute sour cream if you prefer. It’s not as thick as Greek yogurt so you may not need as much to help thin out the cream cheese. Start with 1/2 cup and add from there.

I don’t use the entire can of black beans for this recipe, probably about 3/4 of it. Use as much as you like or substitute another kind of canned beans.

Iceberg lettuce gives the best crunch for this cream cheese dip, but you could use part romaine if you’d like - the color mix would be pretty!

If you don’t want to use the pickled jalapeños, you can substitute pickled red onions or just leave them off. You can use any of the extra topping ideas to make a full 7 layers.

I use homemade taco seasoning but you can substitute store-bought.

This is a vegetarian cream cheese dip as is, but you could certainly add ground turkey or beef as one of the layers (either as a substitute for the black beans or above or below them in the layers).

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 213Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 665mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 7g
© Kathryn
Cuisine: Mexican / Category: Appetizers & Snacks
This quick + easy healthy 7-layer Mexican dip is creamy and cheesy, with some crisp, fresh flavors to balance it out. Full of taco flavor and your favorite toppings, this gorgeous dip is perfect for parties! #7layerdip #appetizers #partyfood #cincodemayo #mexicandip

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  • Easy pimiento cheese crackersEasy pimiento cheese crackers

Filed Under: Appetizers & Snacks, Vegetarian

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Whole wheat carrot cake muffins »

Comments

  1. Lindsay Cotter says

    March 26, 2019 at 10:55 PM

    Such a fun party dip! Always a hit with everyone!

    Reply
    • Kathryn says

      March 27, 2019 at 9:53 AM

      It really is! ❤️

      Reply
  2. Beth says

    March 27, 2019 at 11:11 PM

    So much flavor but a lot of great choices to keep the calories in check! thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Kathryn says

      March 28, 2019 at 10:45 AM

      It always goes over so well at parties!

      Reply
  3. Toni | Boulder Locavore says

    March 29, 2019 at 2:44 AM

    This will quickly disappear at parties!

    Reply
    • Kathryn says

      April 1, 2019 at 9:18 AM

      Yes, it always does! 🙂

      Reply

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Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a health and nutrition editor, cookbook author, wife, mother of two kids, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes and resources to help you get delicious family food on your table! Learn more about me

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