This creamy hot spinach artichoke dip has shredded chicken for extra protein, so you can easily make it part of a healthy paleo or Whole30 meal! Perfect with veggies, over a baked potato or with sweet potato toast. Dairy free, paleo, Whole30 compliant, low carb and keto friendly.
I hope I’m not the only spinach-artichoke obsessed gal in the room right now.
Figuratively speaking, of course, since as I’m typing this the only other person in the room with me is my son, who’s neither a gal nor obsessed with spinach-anything by any means.
But if you’ve stumbled upon this post, I have to think you’re into the savory, creamy deliciousness of spinach artichoke dip. And just you wait – it gets so much better than that!
Way back in the day, I used to make a super cheesy (like with 4 types of cheese!) baked spinach artichoke dip. Then, last year, I decided it was finally time to test out a paleo and Whole30 version, since the old 4-cheese one probably wouldn’t ever be made again.
So, I came up with this version (it involves bacon) and was pleasantly surprised at how “cheesy” it tasted without any dairy at all! Pretty amazing, I will say.
In fact, I loved it so much that I decided create a vegan AND Whole30 spinach artichoke twice baked potato. I’m fully devoted to dairy-free spinach artichoke creations now and there’s no need to turn back!
This time around I was craving something with a bit more protein, something that could really be almost a meal along with some extra veggies, a potato or sweet potato – you get the picture!
I considered making spinach artichoke chicken thighs (and still may do that!) but decided on something with just as much protein but more versatile – a dip. Or topping, or whatever you want it to be, really.
This creamy chicken spinach artichoke dip is pretty perfect however you decide to serve it. When I made it for the first time, I had a bunch of green plantains and decided that my Whole30 tostones would make the perfect “vehicle” for the dip.
Holy cow – so delicious! Since I had plenty of leftovers after shooting the photos, I tried it over a baked potato, sweet potato toast, and even just by itself over the next couple of days. No complaints here!
Even Adam (husband) who claims not to actually like spinach or artichokes, really enjoyed this dip. And seriously – with the seasoned cooked chicken, onions and garlic, creaminess from the coconut cream and homemade mayo, PLUS an extra cheesy kick from nutritional yeast? Let’s just say it all comes together as deliciously as possible.
As a side note – I highly recommend using homemade mayo for this one (rather than store bought paleo mayo) since the flavor is so much better this way. And, another side note – even if you’re a coconut hater, you really don’t taste the coconut cream here, since the other flavors overpower any hints of coconut.
I hope you’re ready to make this – it’s easier and quicker than you might think! And, the rewards will speak for themselves after the first bite. Let’s go!
Creamy Chicken Spinach Artichoke Dip {Paleo, Whole30, Dairy-Free}
Creamy Chicken Spinach Artichoke Dip {Paleo, Whole30, Dairy-Free}
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken breasts or tenderloins
- 1 tbsp olive or avocado oil
- Salt and pepper to season chicken
- 1 Tbsp organic ghee or coconut oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic finely chopped
- Sea salt
- 10 oz fresh baby spinach chopped
- 14 oz can artichoke hearts drained and chopped (check label for Whole30 compliance)
- 2/3 cup coconut cream - the thick part of a chilled can of coconut milk, or you can purchase coconut cream separately
- 1/2 cup homemade whole30 mayo or purchased paleo mayo*
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast this adds flavor
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil
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Place chicken on the sheet, drizzle with olive or avocado oil and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. Place in the oven and bake about 20-25 minutes until cooked through. Remove from oven and set aside.
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While the chicken bakes, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ghee or coconut oil. Add the onions and cook until soft, then add garlic, sprinkle with sea salt and continue cooking another minute, adjusting heat if necessary, until soft.
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Once garlic is soft, add spinach and allow it to wilt a bit, then mix in to garlic/onions and cook until all is wilted. Add artichokes and cook one more minute until heated through, sprinkle with a bit of sea salt, then remove from heat set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the coconut cream, mayo, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt and pepper until smooth
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Chop or shred the cooked chicken into bite size pieces, then add to the mixing bowl along with all the spinach artichoke mixture. Stir to combine everything, then transfer to a small casserole dish.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through, then remove from oven and serve warm. Goes well with potatoes or sweet potatoes, plantains, your favorite veggies or anything! Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*You can purchase Whole30 compliant avocado oil mayo here.
Nutrition
What I Used To Make My Chicken Spinach Artichoke Dip:
Want More Whole30 Appetizers and Dips? Try One of These!
Paleo Tostones with Avocado Ranch Dip
Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes with Easy Aioli
Creamy Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
Baked French Fries with Chipotle Ranch Dip
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Love this idea! I actually used your spinach artichoke dip as a dairy free ‘alfredo’ sauce just last night. I added sun dried tomatoes, grilled chicken and brown rice/quinoa pasta. Oh yes and of course turkey bacon cooked up nice and crispy. Love your dip recipe!! Make it quite frequently. Sometimes I make it and just serve it as a side dish. Keep the delicious recipes coming. Love you take one recipe and add different twists to them.
Happy New Year
Oh wow that sounds delicious! Happy New Year to you!
What are those round crackery things in the photo that the dip is served on? Inquiring minds, right????
Tostones! Here’s the link:
Enjoying this right now with a simple salad. Thanks for making my Day 1 a lot easier!
So thrilled you’re enjoying it!
I just made this with leftover turkey. Awesomely delicious! Thank you for sharing your culinary expertise.
I’m so thrilled you liked it!!
I can’t wait to try this with all l.o. chicken in my freezer.
Ever consider writing a cookbook? I would totally buy it. I love your work!
I wish you peace in this new year.
I do hope to write a cookbook at some point, happy you’re enjoying the recipes! Happy New year!
I hope you write a whole 30 cookbook soon. That would be awesome!
I’d love to! Glad you’re enjoying the recipes 🙂
Does this have a coconut taste?
Nope not at all 🙂
This was DELICIOUS!! I did everything exact except I used shredded manchego cheese in place of Nutritional yeast. I think next time, I may just omit the cheese altogether. Great, filling meal! I have been a primal/paleo advocate for years and stumbled upon you through instagram…so glad I did! I will definitely be making more of your recipes!
So happy to hear you liked it and sounds great with that cheese 🙂
Hi Michele, I too made this recipe and it was AWESOME! I definitely will be making it over and over again.
What is considered a serving size? I have down about 1/2 cup, but I wanted to make sure that was a correct serving for the nutrition facts provided. Thank you for sharing!
Help! I couldn’t find Nutritional Yeast. Will instant yeast work in its place?
They sell it at Trader Joe’s and I’ve seen it at Whole Foods and wegmans ?
I’m new learning Keto. Is there any way to cut more carbs from this recipe anyone know? Sounds yummy
I too would like to know a substitute for Nutritional Yeast!
Unfortunately there is no substitute, but you can omit it and it won’t terribly alter the result.
This recipe is delicious! I’ve made it multiple times now, with and without the chicken. It’s creamy and full of flavor! Most of my family doesn’t even realize there’s no cheese in it. It’s my go to party dip now! Thank you!
That’s great! Really does taste cheesy even with no cheese 🙂
Hi! Excited to make this! What is the serving size for the nutritional facts you provided?
We just made this for dinner tonight and I am OBSESSED! I did use store bought paleo mayo and it was still delicious!! Thank you for creating this re pie! My husband and I went on and on about we couldn’t believe this was a healthy dish! Never would I ever go back to my unhealthy version of this dish again!
So happy you enjoyed this!
Wow! I never thought it would be possible to have a dairy free artichoke dip. That is so cool! I can’t wait to try this at home. I definitely miss these types of delicious dips when on Keto diets. Thank you so much for sharing!
Hope you enjoy!
Looks so yummy! What is the serving size for the nutritional facts you provided?
This sounds so good! But I don’t do well with Mayo. What can I substitute? Thx!
Hii Michele!!
Wow so yum! yummy! ! Today i am so excited to start having them for my todays dinner!!! I want to eat this food at that time, it’s very hard to control… Very delicious recipe, and want to eat after going to home, Thank you so much for share this recipe…
Enjoy!
This looks amazing! Do you think i could make it in the slow cooker?
This was SO good. I was skeptical about a cheese-less Spinach Artichoke dip, but HOLY CREAMINESS this was good. I made it exactly as the recipe said and ate it as a main course with many veggies on the side. Even my husband said it was awesome and he’s never said that about a chicken dish (only likes red meat). I’m on Day 28 of Whole30 and wish I tried this recipe out sooner! Next time I might add some jalepenos for an extra kick 🙂
Just made this recipe and darn if half of it’s not already gone! This is 5+ stars and easy to make. Very creamy and has the taste of oh-so-cheesey but love that it is dairy free and a great way to use my homemade Mayo. Maybe it should be called Casablanca chicken dip cuz “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship”
I made this today for our after school snack. It was so good. A hit with the kids, the husband, and myself! We will make it again for sure!
This looks delicious! Can’t wait to try. Is there anything I can use instead of coconut cream? I just can’t get past the coconut taste in savory dishes. Thank you!
I’m on R1D5 of Whole30 and this is heavenly on top of roasted spaghetti squash. I used a can of coconut cream and mixed the can before opening as the can instructed, which I think made mine more runny than the pics here. Thanks so much. YUM! I’ll make again.
Love it! SO delicious! Does it keep well in the fridge or freezer? Have you tried freezing it?
This recipe is really good. The lemon juice is the secret trick for eliminating the coconut flavor in both savory and sweet recipes. Honestly, it somehow neutralizes coconut flavor, leaving just the creaminess, so don’t skip it!
For those worried about using ghee, bacon grease adds amazing, dairy-free flavor! For those who suggested adding Dijon mustard, I totally agree. I also add in mushrooms and just a couple of finely chopped jalapeno-stuffed olives. Next time I’ll do some crumbled bacon.
For those who remarked about the prep time, my solution is the food processor. While the pan is heating, dice the onion in the food processor. Add the bacon grease to the pan and dump in the onions to start them cooking.
Don’t bother washing the processor bowl; just dump in your artichokes, spinach, and optionals (mine were the afore-said mushrooms and about 4 jalapeno-stuffed olives). Pulse them altogether until everything is finely chopped. Leave them sitting in the processor bowl for now (saves a dish).
When the onions are soft, and the garlic has cooked, dump in the contents of the food processor bowl. Don’t wash it yet! While all that is cooking, measure all the remaining ingredients except chicken right into the food processor bowl. Whir them all till smooth.
Now add your chicken into that food processor bowl. Pulse until it reaches your desired texture.
Dump the food processor contents and the cooking pan contents together into a casserole dish. While they are baking, NOW you can wash your food processor bowl!
I forgot to say, I doubled the nutritional yeast. And the reason I gave it only four stars is that if I had made it as written, it would have tasted very plain to us. But we like a lot of flavor to our food, so YMMV.
I really like the things you write about, so I’ll be back to your posts more often.
I believe that your idea will be replicated and used as the basis for the invention of many other ideas because it is both creative and excellent. foodle
Hi Michelle, I cant wait to try this! Is guar gum ok in coconut cream–i cant really find a good answer online. Thank you!
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This looks yummy! Could I prep ahead (day before) and then warm it in oven day of?
I admire your ability to convey such detailed information in an accessible way.
I made this dip as an appetizer for a football game night potluck and stuffed it into halved mini red bell peppers that I prebaked in oven at 400 degrees. They looked very festive with the color of spinach and peppers and they were a huge hit! Thank you for creating/sharing such wonderful recipes!!
Oops, I forgot to say in my previous post that I baked the peppers again after filling and topping them with a small amount of Manchego cheese until they were hot and melted. This was a 5-star recipe!