3 Cheese Jalapeño Popper Chorizo Dip Recipe
This 3 Cheese Jalapeño Popper Chorizo Dip is a creamy, spicy, and cheesy appetizer perfect for game day or gatherings. It combines the rich flavors of fresh chorizo, cream cheese, feta, and pepper jack with the heat of jalapeños, topped with a buttery panko crust for a delightful crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 link fresh chorizo sausage, removed from its casing (just shy of ½ lb.)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup crumbled feta
- 2 cups freshly grated pepper jack cheese
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 jalapeño peppers, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Topping
- ½ cup + 1 tablespoon panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Garnishes and Serving
- Sliced jalapeños for garnish, optional
- 1 scallion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Bread, chips, and crackers for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375℉ and spray a 10-inch cast iron skillet or baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set it aside while prepping the other ingredients.
- Cook the Chorizo: Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Crumble the fresh chorizo into the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring and breaking it up with a spatula until browned and thoroughly cooked. Drain the cooked chorizo on paper towels to remove excess grease.
- Mix the Cheese and Jalapeño Base: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cooked chorizo, softened cream cheese, crumbled feta, freshly grated pepper jack cheese, Greek yogurt, finely chopped jalapeños, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly blended.
- Prepare the Topping: In a separate small bowl, combine the melted butter with the panko breadcrumbs. Stir until the breadcrumbs are moistened and coated evenly with butter.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the chorizo and cheese mixture into the prepared skillet or baking dish, smoothing out the top with a spatula. Evenly sprinkle the panko and butter mixture over the dip. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the dip is bubbly and the topping turns golden brown on the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove the dip from the oven and sprinkle with sliced jalapeños, thinly sliced scallions, and chopped cilantro for a fresh finish. Serve warm with your favorite bread, chips, and crackers.
Notes
- Remove seeds and ribs from jalapeños to reduce heat if desired; keep them for extra spiciness.
- Use fresh chorizo for best flavor and texture; make sure to remove the casing before cooking.
- Softening cream cheese to room temperature helps in blending it smoothly with other ingredients.
- Draining cooked chorizo reduces excess grease and prevents the dip from being too oily.
- The panko breadcrumb topping adds a delicious crunch that contrasts with the creamy cheesy dip.
- Garnishes like sliced jalapeños, scallions, and cilantro add color and fresh flavor notes.
- Serve immediately for best texture; leftovers can be reheated gently in the oven.
Keywords: Jalapeño popper dip, chorizo dip, cheesy dip, spicy appetizer, game day dip, baked dip, creamy dip
