Creamy Dip with Chips

The first time I brought this dip to a friend's game night, someone actually asked for the recipe before halftime was over. I'd thrown it together ten minutes before leaving the house, using whatever herbs I had growing in little pots on my windowsill. Now it's become my emergency contribution for everything from last-minute guests to planned parties.

Last summer, I served this at my sister's backyard barbecue with three different kinds of chips spread out on a wooden board. My niece, who typically refuses anything green, kept asking what made it taste so good. The fresh herbs really do make all the difference—dried ones just don't have that same bright pop of flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sour cream: This provides the base tanginess that cuts through the richness of the cream cheese, and full-fat gives you that luxurious mouthfeel
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened: Make sure it's truly at room temperature so you don't end up with tiny lumps in your finished dip
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise: The secret ingredient that adds depth and creaminess without making it taste like potato salad
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives: Their mild onion flavor is perfect here, and they add these beautiful green flecks throughout the white dip
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley: Flat-leaf parsley has a cleaner, fresher taste than curly, and it brightens the whole bowl
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is absolutely worth it—bottled juice can taste harsh or metallic in something this simple
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder: I prefer powder here over fresh garlic because it distributes evenly without any harsh raw bits
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder: This gives you that classic French onion dip flavor without any texture issues
• 1/4 teaspoon salt: You might need slightly more depending on your chips, but start here and taste as you go
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Freshly ground makes a noticeable difference in such a straightforward recipe
• 200 g potato chips, tortilla chips, or vegetable chips: Honestly, whatever chips you love most will work, but I like having at least two varieties for guests

Instructions

Blend the creamy base:

Dump your sour cream, room-temperature cream cheese, and mayonnaise into a medium bowl and mash everything together until you have a perfectly smooth mixture with no cream cheese pockets remaining.

Add all the flavor:

Toss in your chopped chives, parsley, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, then stir until the herbs are evenly distributed throughout the dip.

Taste and adjust:

Grab a clean spoon and take a taste—add another pinch of salt or a squeeze of lemon juice if it needs more brightness, or a splash of milk if you prefer a thinner consistency.

Transfer and serve:

Scoop the dip into your serving bowl and arrange your choice of chips nearby, making sure everything looks inviting and ready for dipping.

Save

This recipe has saved me more times than I can count, including one memorable evening when my boss dropped by unexpectedly. I pulled it together so quickly that she assumed I'd spent the afternoon preparing, and honestly, I didn't correct her.

Make It Your Own

Sometimes I'll swap in Greek yogurt for the sour cream when I want something lighter, and nobody ever notices the difference. The key is sticking to that ratio of creamy to tangy elements so the texture remains luxurious.

Serving Ideas

I've discovered that this dip works beautifully with raw vegetables too—cucumber rounds, bell pepper strips, and even sugar snap peas make excellent dippers. It's such an easy way to make a simple snack plate feel more substantial and thoughtfully put together.

Storage and Prep Ahead

The dip keeps beautifully in an airtight container for up to four days, and the flavors actually meld together even more overnight. Just give it a quick stir before serving since it can separate slightly in the refrigerator.

• Stir in a teaspoon of milk if the dip seems too thick after refrigeration
• Add fresh herbs right before serving if making this more than a day ahead
• Never leave the dip at room temperature for more than two hours at parties

Save

There's something deeply satisfying about a recipe that comes together this quickly yet tastes like it required way more effort. That's the beauty of really good dips—they make you look like a hosting genius with almost no work at all.

Recipe FAQs

→ What herbs are used in the creamy dip?

Fresh chives and parsley provide brightness and a delicate herb flavor to the dip.

→ Can I adjust the dip’s consistency?

Yes, adding a splash of milk or more lemon juice thins the dip to your preferred texture.

→ Which chips work best with this dip?

Potato chips, tortilla chips, or vegetable chips all complement the dip’s creamy texture nicely.

→ How far ahead can I prepare the dip?

The dip can be made a day ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container to enhance flavors.

→ Are there any allergen considerations to keep in mind?

This dip contains dairy and mayonnaise which may include egg; chips might have gluten unless specified gluten-free.