This layered dip is chock full of crunchy vegetables and chicken drenched in a yummy Asian-inspired sauce. The creamy peanut butter base adds a fun twist! Enjoy with crackers at your next party!
There’s nothing like a good appetizer to get the party started, right? I have a confession to make: I am terrible at appetizers. Most seem so finicky. If I’m hosting, I can totally make some hot little bites in the oven. But as things have it, in this stage of life, I rarely host [even though I’d love to]. We’re usually tasked with bringing x, y, or z to a gathering…and it’s just a pain to try to transport a hot dish, and sometimes those cute little bites just get gross if they sit for awhile. So cold dips are my go-to appetizers. Hummus, guacamole, salsa, I love them all. But they aren’t very fancy.
This Layered Asian Dip takes a normal dip up a notch! It’s a play off of Mexican Seven Layer Dip, even though it’s only a three layer dip. But it’s three layers of awesome: a creamy base of peanut butter and cream cheese; a wonderful medley of chicken, carrots, peanuts, cilantro, scallions, and aromatics like ginger and garlic; and last but not least–a slightly sweet, slightly spicy Asian dressing on top. This dressing is really what makes the dip, imo. Sure, chicken and peanut butter are staples of my diet, but the sauce brings everything together in a nice package. It’s tangy and delicious!
This dip is perfect for a party because you can make all the components ahead of time and chill them in the fridge, then go get ready, and then assemble at the last minute. I love it when things work out that way so I don’t have to worry about the dish losing its beauty while we’re waiting for things to get started. This dip is best enjoyed the day it is made, but the leftovers are still tasty the next day. By the way, you’ll have some extra sauce leftover–it’s perfect for tossing with some plain white rice and cooked veggies [I love those bags of frozen Asian vegetables] for a quick side dish during the week. Enjoy!
one year ago: Grandma’s Banana Nut Bread
two years ago: Jamaican Jerk Chicken & Pineapple Black Bean Rice
four years ago: Butterscotch and Chocolate Yellow Cake
Layered Asian Dip
from The Sweets Life
Ingredients:
for sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons rice wine or white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 drops hot sauce [like Sriracha]
for topping
- 3/4 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup shredded carrot
- 1/4 cup chopped unsalted peanuts
- 2-3 sliced scallions
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
for base
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 2-4 ounces creamy peanut butter [depending on how strong of a peanut butter flavor you like]
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- crackers for serving
Directions:
First, prepare sauce. Whisk brown sugar and cornstarch together in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Pour in water, ketchup, vinegar, Worcestershire, and hot sauce. Cook for 5 minutes or until mixture thickens. Transfer to a small bowl to cool. When cool, cover and refrigerate to further thicken for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours in advance.
Next, stir together all topping ingredients in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.
Just before serving, beat together cream cheese, peanut butter, and just enough milk to make mixture smooth. Spread on the bottom of a 10 inch pie pan or serving dish. Sprinkle topping over cream cheese mixture, then drizzle 1/2 cup sauce [there will be leftovers] on top.
Serve with crackers immediately.
Linked up with: Weekend Potluck.
Don’t know what to think about this recipe; sounds a little scary. Love, Dad
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you would think that!
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This is such a fun and unexpected app! I love the asian flavors. Definitely going to try this one
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thank you, erica!
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I absolutely LOVE the idea of this!!
Sues
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thank you!
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Yum! Must try this.
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thank you, amber!
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this is one of my favorite appetizers! I’m so glad you liked it!
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thanks, natalie! it was great!
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Oh my this looks wonderful. Spinach dip is done to death. I like it—-a lot. But it’s time for something outside the box. This definitely fits the bill.
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yes, spinach dip is definitely done to death! hilarious way of putting it but so true. this dip is delicious 🙂
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I’ll leave out the hot sauce but the rest sounds wonderful!
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thanks dina! it’s not really that spicy but you can leave it out.
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what an awesome idea.. definitely one i need to try. thanks for sharing the recipe!
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thank you, thalia!
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Oh, this looks SO amazing – right up my alley!
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thanks amy!
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This looks sooo amazingly yummy!!! I can’t wait to try it out!!
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Thank you for linking up with Weekend Potluck!!!!!!! 🙂
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it’s always fun! 🙂 thanks for hosting!
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Just got this recipe from “4 Little Fergusons” one of my FAVORITE blogs 🙂 can’t wait to try this dip recipe…..it sure sounds & looks delicious….this Ky lady loves Asian food…also am joining your blog…..
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thank you! this dip is so good… glad to have you subscribe!
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