Lightened Marry Me Chicken Dip

Featured in: Weekend BBQ Favorites

This creamy and savory dish features tender shredded chicken mixed with sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh basil, all lightly baked to bubbly perfection. The combination of sautéed garlic and herbs like oregano and thyme creates a flavorful depth while Greek yogurt lightens the texture without sacrificing creaminess. Warm and inviting, it pairs well with sliced veggies, crackers, or pita chips for a satisfying starter or snack.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:28:00 GMT
Creamy, golden Lightened Marry Me Chicken Dip, ready for dipping, with basil garnish and bubbly cheese. Save
Creamy, golden Lightened Marry Me Chicken Dip, ready for dipping, with basil garnish and bubbly cheese. | grilto.com

A lighter take on the viral Marry Me Chicken, this creamy, savory dip combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a blend of cheeses—perfect for parties or cozy nights in.

I love serving this dip at family get-togethers where everyone can enjoy a tasty, yet lighter appetizer that pleases all ages.

Ingredients

  • Chicken: 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (about 2 large breasts)
  • Dairy & Cheeses: 4 oz light cream cheese, softened, 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or nonfat), ½ cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Vegetables & Aromatics: ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced, ¼ cup chopped fresh basil (plus extra for garnish)
  • Seasonings: ½ tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp dried thyme, ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Extras: 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2:
In a medium skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
Step 3:
In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, sautéed garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, light cream cheese, Greek yogurt, mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well blended.
Step 4:
Transfer mixture to a lightly greased 1-quart baking dish. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Step 5:
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until hot and bubbly and slightly golden on top.
Step 6:
Garnish with extra fresh basil. Serve warm with sliced veggies, whole grain crackers, or pita chips.
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| grilto.com

My family always reaches for seconds, especially when this dip is served with toasted baguette slices during game nights.

Serving Suggestions

Pair this dip with crunchy veggies, whole grain crackers, or pita chips for a satisfying snack or appetizer.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.

Variations

Add chopped spinach or artichoke hearts for extra greens and flavor variety.

Warm and savory Lightened Marry Me Chicken Dip, featuring visible sun-dried tomatoes and shredded chicken pieces. Save
Warm and savory Lightened Marry Me Chicken Dip, featuring visible sun-dried tomatoes and shredded chicken pieces. | grilto.com

This dip is a perfect balance of creamy textures and savory flavors that will win over any crowd.

Recipe Help & Answers

Can rotisserie chicken be used in this dish?

Yes, rotisserie chicken is a convenient and flavorful substitute that works well in this creamy dip.

What can be served alongside this dip?

Serve with sliced vegetables, whole grain crackers, pita chips, or toasted baguette slices for variety and texture.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Yes, the blend is naturally gluten-free if paired with gluten-free dippers.

Can the Greek yogurt be substituted?

Yes, low-fat sour cream can be used as an alternative to Greek yogurt for a similar creamy texture.

How is the sun-dried tomato prepared before mixing?

Sun-dried tomatoes should be drained and chopped, then sautéed briefly with garlic to enhance their flavor.

Lightened Marry Me Chicken Dip

Creamy blend of chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and cheeses for a flavorful appetizer option.

Prep Time
15 min
Time to Cook
25 min
Complete Time
40 min
From grilto Jake Turner


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Style American

Serves 8 Portions

Diet Details No Gluten, Low in Carbs

What You Need

Chicken

01 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (about 2 large breasts)

Dairy & Cheeses

01 4 oz light cream cheese, softened
02 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or nonfat)
03 ½ cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
04 ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Vegetables & Aromatics

01 ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
02 2 cloves garlic, minced
03 ¼ cup chopped fresh basil (plus extra for garnish)

Seasonings

01 ½ tsp dried oregano
02 ½ tsp dried thyme
03 ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
04 ½ tsp kosher salt
05 ¼ tsp black pepper

Extras

01 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)

How-To

Step 01

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Step 02

Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and cook for an additional minute.

Step 03

Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, incorporate shredded chicken, sautéed garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, mozzarella, Parmesan, chopped basil, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth and uniform.

Step 04

Prepare for Baking: Transfer the mixture into a lightly greased 1-quart baking dish. Use a spatula to evenly smooth the surface.

Step 05

Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the dip is hot, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.

Step 06

Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with additional fresh basil. Serve warm alongside sliced vegetables, whole grain crackers, or pita chips.

Essentials

  • Medium skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula
  • 1-quart baking dish
  • Oven

Allergy Advisory

Review every component for allergens. Reach out to a health pro if you’re concerned.
  • Contains dairy including cream cheese, Greek yogurt, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
  • Contains chicken.
  • Gluten-free when served with gluten-free dippers. Verify ingredient labels for potential allergens.

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Facts listed here are for your info, not medical advice. Always double-check if needed.
  • Energy: 165
  • Lipids: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 4 g
  • Proteins: 20 g