• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Lauren Gaskill

Encouraging women to live in faith and joy

  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Book
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
  • Speaking
    • Events

Healthier Buffalo Chicken Artichoke Dip + Adventures in The Exumas, Bahamas

April 11, 2016 • 26 Comments

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!

Healthier Buffalo Chicken Artichoke Dip | Making Life Sweet with Lauren Gaskill

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.

IMG_2833

IMG_4552

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.

exuma bahamas

Healthier Buffalo Chicken Artichoke Dip | Making Life Sweet with Lauren Gaskill

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.

buffalo-chicken-dip-1

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?

buffalo-chicken-dip-6

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. 😉

Healthier Buffalo Chicken Artichoke Dip
Ingredients
  • 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
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
  2. Place cannellini beans, yogurt, buffalo sauce, and garlic in a food processor and blend until smooth.
  3. Stir in carrots, artichokes, chicken and ½ cup of cheese.
  4. Spread mixture onto bottom of a 10” casserole dish, then evenly sprinkle remaining cheese on top of the mixture.
  5. 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!
3.3.3070

Share This Post

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

You May Also Like

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

    April 11, 2016 at 7:14 am

    Such a beautiful getaway and time with loved ones!! So glad you have a wonderful refreshing time!

    Reply
    • Lauren Gaskill says

      April 11, 2016 at 12:24 pm

      Thanks Rebecca!! We had a lovely time together.

      Reply
  2. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    April 11, 2016 at 8:51 am

    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

    Reply
    • Lauren Gaskill says

      April 11, 2016 at 12:23 pm

      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!

      Reply
  3. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    April 11, 2016 at 8:58 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren Gaskill says

      April 11, 2016 at 11:11 am

      We did, Mary Ann! Wish you all could have gone with and seen the sights for yourself! <3 Have a great week.

      Reply
  4. Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says

    April 11, 2016 at 10:26 am

    Looks like you had an amazing vacation. Beautiful photos! This dip looks so good! I love the added chicken, such a great idea.

    Reply
    • Lauren Gaskill says

      April 11, 2016 at 11:10 am

      Thanks so much, Emily! Vacations are such a blessing, aren’t they?

      Reply
  5. Megan says

    April 11, 2016 at 11:03 am

    If we could do dairy I”d be making this today. It looks amazing…and anything with artichokes is a plus!

    Reply
    • Lauren Gaskill says

      April 11, 2016 at 11:09 am

      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!

      Reply
  6. Brianna H says

    April 11, 2016 at 12:22 pm

    I LOVE buffalo chicken! And I love even more that made this dip a bit healthier. Perfect guilt-free late-night snacking!

    Reply
    • Lauren Gaskill says

      April 11, 2016 at 12:26 pm

      Thanks so much, Brianna!

      Reply
  7. Michele @ Bacon Fatte says

    April 11, 2016 at 12:25 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren Gaskill says

      April 11, 2016 at 12:26 pm

      Thanks for the dip love, Michele! Where are you headed this summer?

      Reply
  8. Raia says

    April 11, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    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?

    Reply
    • Lauren Gaskill says

      April 11, 2016 at 2:37 pm

      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!

      Reply
  9. Erica D. says

    April 11, 2016 at 4:54 pm

    This sounds so good! And I can easily make this dairy free! WOOP!

    Reply
    • Lauren Gaskill says

      April 13, 2016 at 8:54 am

      I make it dairy free for myself all the time! Thanks for the dip love, Erica!

      Reply
  10. Celeste says

    April 12, 2016 at 8:01 am

    I love everything Buffalo Chicken, and even more I love that this recipe is healthy. It’s pinned and on my to-do list!

    Reply
    • Lauren Gaskill says

      April 13, 2016 at 8:54 am

      Thanks so much Celeste! Enjoy!!

      Reply
  11. Kristen says

    April 12, 2016 at 8:28 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Lauren Gaskill says

      April 13, 2016 at 8:59 am

      Thank you so much Kristen!! God’s creation amazes me!

      Reply
  12. Megan @ MegUnprocessed says

    April 12, 2016 at 1:17 pm

    I love how you healthified this classic! Looks delish!

    Reply
    • Lauren Gaskill says

      April 13, 2016 at 8:59 am

      Thanks so much Megan. Have a lovely day! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Laney says

    April 13, 2016 at 11:47 pm

    This looks amazing! And what a trip!!

    Reply
  14. Meghan | Fox and Briar says

    April 15, 2016 at 1:24 pm

    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!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hi, dear friend! I'm so glad you're here. And though I wish we could be meeting face-to-face over coffee, I'm grateful for the chance to know you here. The community here inspires me, and I hope you feel like you belong while you're here. If you'd like to connect with me, please follow me on social media. I want to hear from you, so please reach out! And don't forget to sign up for my newsletter — you'll get access to special content and freebies.

Connect With Me

Subscribe for Weekly Inspirational Updates!

Into the Deep Book

Order Today!

Categories


BACK TO TOP HomeContactSubscribeEvents
© Lauren Gaskill
Designed by Cocoa Creative
Developed by Earl Grey Creative