This Healthier Buffalo Chicken Artichoke Dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s secretly packed with vegetables and better-for-you ingredients — so you can feel great about eating it!
Well friends, it’s back to reality for this lady today. Did you miss me? I know I certainly missed interacting with you last week while I was on vacation! Three days ago, I was standing on cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on one of the 365 islands that make up The Exumas. With my feet planted firmly on the summit, I breathed in the salt water air and told myself to savor every inhale. I wanted to bottle up the smell of the air, the sound of the crashing waves and the deep colors of aqua and blue that surrounded me. Lord, help me not forget this moment. Let me carry this peace and beauty of your creation with me through all of my days, I prayed.
Vacations never seem long enough to me. When the time comes to pack up and go home, I always find myself longing for another week, or even just a few more days. I know I should be grateful for just having the chance to go on vacation, but my soul always longs for more rest, more time with family, more time with God.
Many words could describe our family vacation to Exuma, but if I had to choose just one I’d go with blessed. Most people would be hesitant about going on a trip with their in-laws, but I have been blessed beyond measure with an amazing second family through my husband. I’ll never forget the first time I was invited to a Gaskill/Edman family gathering back when Mr. MLS and I were dating … From the get-go I felt like I belonged, and once the party was over I couldn’t wait to hang out with them again.
This was our third vacation together as a family, and I think it was our most adventurous getaway to date! While in Exuma we rented a boat and cruised around the islands for a day, docking our boat and swimming in wherever we wanted to explore. We also saw a family of dolphins, cannonballed off boats into the ocean, swam with pigs, played with endangered iguanas, drove to the Tropic of Cancer, got tossed around by the waves and found tons of beach treasures. The vacation wasn’t perfect by any means — I still had some bad pain days in paradise — but looking back on the trip I can’t deny God blessed the trip and we had a wonderful time.
There’s so much more I could tell you about Exuma (maybe I’ll have to write a faith blog post to talk about the work God did in my heart on the trip), but for now, I know you’re probably thinking … can she hurry up and get to the Buffalo Chicken Artichoke Dip already?
This makeover Healthier Buffalo Chicken Artichoke Dip is a new family favorite in our house! When I make it, I make a version for my husband (the recipe below), and I make another version for myself with dairy-free cheese and coconut milk yogurt. Both ways are equally delicious! The best part about this dip is that you can sneak in beans and vegetables without your family and friends really knowing. 😉
- 1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- ¾ cup buffalo sauce
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- ½ cup grated carrots
- 1 can artichoke hearts, chopped
- ½ cup shredded chicken
- 1 ¼ cups mozzarella/cheddar cheese blend, divided
- Preheat oven to 375° F.
- Place cannellini beans, yogurt, buffalo sauce, and garlic in a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Stir in carrots, artichokes, chicken and ½ cup of cheese.
- Spread mixture onto bottom of a 10” casserole dish, then evenly sprinkle remaining cheese on top of the mixture.
- Head to [url href=”https://www.snapfitness.com/blog/post/healthier-buffalo-chicken-artichoke-dip/3648″ target=”_blank”]Snap Fitness[/url] for the rest of my recipe!
Such a beautiful getaway and time with loved ones!! So glad you have a wonderful refreshing time!
Thanks Rebecca!! We had a lovely time together.
I DID miss you and I’m glad you are back.. but I’m more thrilled you had a wonderful time, Lauren! We use to take our boat to the Bahamas every summer, and your photos are making me nostalgic! SO gorgeous! I’m sorry you had some pain while you were there, but I always love your attitude and how you make the best out of everything!
Anyways, LOVE this dip!! Buffalo chicken combined with artichoke? Yes please!! This looks dangerously delicious… because I’m pretttttty sure I could eat an entire vat of this creamy deliciousness! Cheers, girlfriend! xo
Thanks so much dear! Do you still have your boat? You should get down there!! 😀 Glad you like the dip. It tastes even better than it looks!
Wow, sounds like you had a wonderful time Lauren! The weather looked gorgeous! This dip sounds delicious! After a week in sunny Florida myself, I need some delicious healthy things to get me back on track! Thanks for sharing!
We did, Mary Ann! Wish you all could have gone with and seen the sights for yourself! <3 Have a great week.
Looks like you had an amazing vacation. Beautiful photos! This dip looks so good! I love the added chicken, such a great idea.
Thanks so much, Emily! Vacations are such a blessing, aren’t they?
If we could do dairy I”d be making this today. It looks amazing…and anything with artichokes is a plus!
I can’t do dairy either, so I make it with coconut yogurt and Daiya cheese when I make it for myself! It’s just as delicious, according to my hubby!
I LOVE buffalo chicken! And I love even more that made this dip a bit healthier. Perfect guilt-free late-night snacking!
Thanks so much, Brianna!
Your beautiful trip photos make me even more excited for the trips we have planned this summer… Can’t wait to get away! And your Healthier Buffalo Chicken Artichoke Dip makes me REALLY hungry… Can’t wait to try it!
Thanks for the dip love, Michele! Where are you headed this summer?
Sounds like a wonderful family trip!
I’m all about the dips. 😉 This sounds delish! I’ve never heard of buffalo sauce before, though. What’s it made of?
Great question, Raia! Buffalo sauce is one of my personal favorites for adding instant flavor to almost any dish. The ingredients on the label are: Distilled Vinegar, Aged Cayenne Red Peppers, Salt, Water, Canola Oil, Paprika, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate (as a preservative), Natural Butter Type Flavor And Garlic Powder. Hope that helps!
This sounds so good! And I can easily make this dairy free! WOOP!
I make it dairy free for myself all the time! Thanks for the dip love, Erica!
I love everything Buffalo Chicken, and even more I love that this recipe is healthy. It’s pinned and on my to-do list!
Thanks so much Celeste! Enjoy!!
Lauren, this dip is incredible!! And your trip sounds fabulous!! This quote is beautiful! Lord, help me not forget this moment. Let me carry this peace and beauty of your creation with me through all of my days, I prayed.
Thank you so much Kristen!! God’s creation amazes me!
I love how you healthified this classic! Looks delish!
Thanks so much Megan. Have a lovely day! 🙂
This looks amazing! And what a trip!!
Your trip looks BEAUTIFUL! I agree, vacations are never long enough, but there is always some comfort in coming home. Loving this dip, especially that you put artichokes in it!