{"id":31778,"date":"2019-10-02T05:00:08","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T11:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blissfulbasil.com\/?p=31778"},"modified":"2021-04-27T09:48:35","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T15:48:35","slug":"vegan-cheesy-bbq-chicken-dip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blissfulbasil.com\/vegan-cheesy-bbq-chicken-dip\/","title":{"rendered":"Vegan Cheesy BBQ Chicken Dip"},"content":{"rendered":"

This vegan cheesy BBQ chicken dip is ideal for game day noshing. A secret veggie ingredient is transformed into shredded barbecue \"chicken\" with a few easy tricks. The chick'n is then mixed with dairy-free cream cheese and baked until hot and bubbly. The warm dip is topped with vegan cheddar cheese and garnished with fresh cilantro, red onion, black beans, jalape\u00f1o slices, and scallions.<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Vegan<\/p>\n

Have you had a chance to make this\u00a0warm bean dip<\/a>\u00a0yet? If not, be sure to add it to your lineup this fall!<\/p>\n

Although this barbecue \"chicken\" dip is altogether different, it was most certainly inspired by the yumminess of its bean-y predecessor.<\/p>\n

Because you know what fall needs more of? Warm, plant-powered, cheesy dips.<\/p>\n

I don't know about you, but when it comes to game day, I'm only in it for the snacks and no-shower-required couch lounging. The actual football games? Eh, could do without 'em.<\/p>\n

Anyone else feel this way?<\/p>\n

I've always wished I could get into football, but something about it causes my mind to go into a trance-like state.<\/p>\n

No matter how hard I try to pay attention, I find myself zoned out and daydreaming within a few minutes.<\/p>\n

Maybe it's the droning voices of those announcers? The constant commercial interruptions? I honestly don't know.<\/p>\n

But if Dan can't get me to like football (he's tried everything<\/em> from bribes to foot massages to pumpkin beer), it's not gonna happen.<\/p>\n

All is well that ends well though, and if game day includes a dip like this one, it's a day well spent...<\/p>\n

\"Vegan<\/p>\n

This dip's faux chicken base is made with a secret vegetable ingredient.<\/p>\n

Any guesses?<\/p>\n

Hint:<\/strong> It's not jackfruit (because duh, that's a fruit), but it requires a cooking technique that's similar to the one used in my recipe for vegan\u00a0BBQ pulled \"pork\"<\/a>\u00a0(which does, in fact, use jackfruit).<\/p>\n

Take a closer look at the finished BBQ \"chicken\" and see if you can figure it out...<\/p>\n

\"BBQ<\/p>\n

If you guessed hearts of palm, you're right! \ud83d\udcaf<\/p>\n

Hearts of palm are wayyy easier to find than jackfruit, and yet they shred in a very similar manner, which makes them an excellent vegetable-based alternative to shredded meat.<\/p>\n

Easy to find + texturally on-point = win, win.<\/p>\n

To make the shredded barbecue \"chicken,\" you'll saut\u00e9 a bit of red onion in olive oil.<\/p>\n

While the onion sweats and softens, prepare an easy BBQ spice rub by combining brown sugar, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and smoke salt (or sea salt).<\/p>\n

\"BBQ<\/p>\n

Then, drain two cans hearts of palm and slice them in half widthwise.<\/p>\n

Add the hearts of palm to the spice mixture and toss to coat.<\/p>\n

\"Hearts<\/p>\n

Next, add the spiced hearts of palm to the pan with the onion and saut\u00e9 for five minutes.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, whisk together your favorite store-bought or homemade<\/a> vegan barbecue sauce. Add the mixture to the pan, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the hearts of palm are fall-apart tender.<\/p>\n

Once tender, use two forks to shred the hearts of palm. Continue to simmer for just five more minutes, or until the sauce is mostly absorbed.<\/p>\n

\"Shredded<\/p>\n

Remove the BBQ hearts of palm from the heat, and stir in eight ounces of vegan cream cheese.<\/p>\n

I recommend using a cultured vegan cream cheese like kite hill (not sponsored, just love) or my homemade version<\/a> (simply omit the peppers).<\/p>\n

\"Vegan<\/p>\n

Then, spread the mixture into a greased casserole dish and bake for 10 minutes, or until hot.<\/p>\n

\"Vegan<\/p>\n

While the dip bakes, you'll prepare this<\/a> quick and easy stretchy vegan cashew cheddar cheese.<\/p>\n

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Please don't stress about the idea of homemade cheese! I promise this one is super easy to make. Simply blend the ingredients together until smooth and whisk until thickened. That's it.<\/p>\n

Once the cheese is ready, spoon it over the barbecue \"chicken\" base.<\/p>\n

I like to add a small drizzle of oil and use a spatula to spread it over the surface to lend an authentic melted-cheese sheen. But this is totally optional.<\/p>\n

\"Vegan<\/p>\n

Of course, no dip is complete without toppings.<\/p>\n

I find that fresh cilantro, red onion, black beans, jalape\u00f1o slices, and scallions bring a fresh bite and vibrant pop of color to this savory dip.<\/p>\n

But as always, feel free to get creative with your toppings!<\/p>\n

\"Vegan<\/p>\n

Once the dip is ready, arm your fellow football-watching\/zoning friends with plenty of tortilla chips and dip, dip, dip the day away.<\/p>\n

\"Vegan<\/p>\n

I hope you love this vegan cheesy bbq chicken dip as much as I do.<\/p>\n

If you make it, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don\u2019t forget to tag a photo #blissfulbasil<\/a> on Instagram.<\/p>\n

<\/div>

\ud83d\udcd6 Recipe<\/h2>
\n\t
\"Vegan<\/div>\n\t
<\/div>\n\t\n\t
<\/div>\n\t<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Print<\/a>\n\t<\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span> Pin<\/a>\n\t
<\/svg><\/span><\/svg><\/span><\/svg><\/span><\/svg><\/span><\/svg><\/span>
5<\/span> from 3<\/span> votes<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Vegan Cheesy BBQ Chicken Dip<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n
This vegan cheesy BBQ chicken dip is ideal for game day noshing. A secret veggie ingredient is transformed into shredded barbecue "chicken" with a few easy tricks. The chick'n is then mixed with dairy-free cream cheese and baked until hot and bubbly. The warm dip is topped with vegan cheddar cheese and garnished with fresh cilantro, red onion, black beans, jalape\u00f1o slices, and scallions.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n\n
<\/div>\n\n
<\/div>\n
<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Servings <\/span>6<\/span><\/div>\n\n
<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Author <\/span>Ashley<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n

Ingredients<\/h3>