Ultimate BBQ Chicken & Kraut Dip Recipe: A Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer
Get ready to elevate your appetizer game with this irresistible BBQ Chicken & Kraut Dip! This creamy, cheesy dip combines the savory goodness of tender chicken with the tangy twist of Frank’s Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut. It’s the perfect blend of flavors and textures, guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering.
We all know and love buffalo chicken dip, it’s a party staple! But have you ever tried barbecue chicken dip? It might just become your new favorite! Especially when you add a jar of Frank’s Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut. It elevates the dip with tangy and smoky flavor notes.
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken Dip with Kraut
This isn’t your average hot dip. This BBQ Chicken & Kraut Dip is a flavor explosion that’s perfect for game day, Super Bowl parties, or any occasion where you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer. The richness of the cheese and chicken is perfectly balanced by the tangy, smoky depth of Frank’s Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut. It’s scoopable, dippable, and utterly addictive – be prepared for it to disappear quickly!
Frank’s Kraut’s Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut adds a unique and delicious flavor profile to this dip. Its tangy, smoky, and slightly sweet taste perfectly complements the creamy cheese and savory chicken. This is a sponsored post by Frank’s Kraut, but the love for sauerkraut is all my own.
The Benefits of Sauerkraut
Beyond its amazing flavor, sauerkraut is also good for you! As a naturally fermented food, it’s packed with probiotics that support healthy digestion and gut health. It’s also a good source of essential nutrients like vitamins C and K, as well as minerals like iron and potassium. Adding sauerkraut to your diet is a great way to boost your overall well-being, and it adds a nutritional punch when paired with delicious ingredients like chicken and cheese.
Key Ingredients for the Best BBQ Chicken & Kraut Dip
Here’s a breakdown of the essential ingredients you’ll need to create this amazing appetizer. Remember to find the full recipe with measurements in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Cream Cheese: The base of the dip, providing a thick, creamy texture that holds all the other ingredients together beautifully. Softened cream cheese is key for easy mixing.
- Sour Cream: Adds a touch of tang and thins the cream cheese slightly, ensuring the dip remains scoopable even after baking.
- BBQ Sauce: The key to that classic BBQ flavor! Use your favorite thick and bold BBQ sauce.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a depth of flavor that elevates the entire dip.
- Brown Sugar: A touch of brown sugar balances the tanginess of the kraut and sour cream, enhancing the smoky BBQ flavors.
- Cayenne Pepper: Adds a subtle kick of heat. Adjust the amount to your preference.
- Paprika: Contributes to the dip’s vibrant color and adds a mild, smoky warmth.
- Canned Chicken: Makes this dip hearty and protein-packed while keeping prep quick and easy. You can also use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken if you prefer.
- Frank’s Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut: The star of the show! Adds a unique tangy, sweet, and smoky BBQ flavor all in one. It keeps the dip from being overly rich and gives it that special “what is in this?” factor.
- Green Onions: Bring a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color. Use the white parts inside the dip and the green parts as a topping.
- Bell Pepper: Adds a touch of crunch and sweetness to complement the creamy base.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and bold, cheddar cheese provides that classic melted cheese flavor.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Melts smoothly and gives the dip that irresistible stretchy, bubbly finish.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making BBQ Chicken & Kraut Dip
Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and crowd-pleasing BBQ Chicken & Kraut Dip.
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and lightly grease a shallow baking dish. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
- Create the Base: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, minced garlic, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and paprika. Whip until completely smooth and creamy. This is essential for a smooth and evenly distributed dip.
- Fold in the Goodness: Gently fold in the canned chicken, Frank’s Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut (drained), diced bell pepper, and the white parts of the sliced green onions. Stir until everything is evenly incorporated.
- Add the Cheese: Mix in half of the shredded cheddar cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Reserve the remaining cheese for the topping.
- Spread and Top: Spread the dip evenly into your prepared baking dish.
- Cheese and BBQ: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the dip. Then, sprinkle remaining green onions. For an extra touch of BBQ flavor, drizzle a few spoonfuls of BBQ sauce across the surface of the cheese.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown on top. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dip rest for a few minutes after baking. This allows the cheese to set slightly and prevents it from being too runny. Sprinkle with the remaining green onions and serve warm with sturdy tortilla chips, pretzel chips, or your favorite dippers.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Planning ahead? This dip is perfect for that!
Make-Ahead: You can assemble the dip up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the fridge while the oven preheats. Bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed, until it’s hot and bubbly.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through. Note that the texture may change slightly after reheating.
Serving Suggestions
This dip is best served hot, straight from the oven! It pairs perfectly with a variety of dippers:
- Tortilla chips (sturdy ones are best!)
- Pretzel chips
- Toasts or baguette slices
- Sturdy crackers
- Vegetable sticks (carrots, celery, bell peppers)
For a complete game-day spread, serve it alongside wings, sliders, or other hearty appetizers.
A Word About Frank’s Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut
Frank’s Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut is what truly sets this dip apart. It’s a unique and flavorful product that combines the benefits of natural fermentation with the delicious taste of barbecue. Hints of sweetness, smoky notes, and warm spices create a depth of flavor that’s simply irresistible. It adds tang to balance the richness of the cheese and chicken, and it layers in barbecue flavor without the need for excessive sauces or seasonings. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re in for a treat!
More Sauerkraut Recipes to Love
If you’re a fan of sauerkraut, you’ll be happy to know there are countless ways to enjoy it! For a decade now I have created many wonderful recipes together using Frank’s Kraut. If you are looking for other ways to get sauerkraut on the menu for your party, be sure to take a peek at my Sauerkraut Bacon and Swiss Dip and my Crock Pot Reuben Dip, perfect for spreading over rye toasts or pretzels!
Speaking of Reubens, my Reuben Pizza and of course the traditional Reuben Sandwich makes perfect game day food, as do these Bratwurst Sliders that use Frank’s Mustard Kraut and this BBQ Chicken Pizza!
Love Sauerkraut? I worte a post about everything you always wanted to know about Kraut! Where it comes from, how it’s made, plus, tons of Sauerkraut recipes in this Ultimate Guide to Sauerkraut.
You can find many fantastic sauerkraut recipes here on my blog, as well as on the Frank’s Kraut Website. I even have a Pinterest Board dedicated just to sauerkraut! You will be sure to find new and creative recipes year-round at all these places, and when you follow Frank’s Kraut on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
If you’re looking for a game-day dip that’s a little different but still totally crowd-friendly, this BBQ Chicken & Kraut Dip is it. It’s the appetizer that has people coming back for “just one more scoop!” Creamy, cheesy, smoky, and tangy, you can’t go wrong!
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Print Recipe
BBQ Chicken & Kraut Dip
10 minutes
25 minutes
35 minutes
Dips
American
BBQ, BBQ chicken, BBQ chicken dip, canned chicken, cream cheese, Frank’s kraut, Frank’s Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut, hot dip
12
servings
Ingredients
-
2
(8 ounce)
packages cream cheese, softened -
1/2
cup
sour cream -
3/4
cup
BBQ sauce -
2
cloves
garlic
minced -
1/4
teaspoon
cayenne pepper -
1/2
teaspoon
paprika -
1
Tablespoon
brown sugar -
1
(12.5 ounce)
canned chicken -
1
(16 ounce)
jar Frank’s Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut
drained and roughly chopped -
3
large
green onions
sliced, divided -
1
bell pepper
diced -
1
(8 ounce)
package of shredded cheddar cheese, divided -
1
(8 ounce)
package of shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a shallow 2 quart baking dish with non-stick spray and set aside.