Ranch Chicken Cheese Ball is a delicious, savory appetizer packed with chicken, cream cheese, cheddar, ranch, and pecans.
This is an easy recipe that is sure to impress your family and guests. This Ranch Chicken Cheese Ball is probably one of the most requested recipes that I have here on the blog. Of course, as always, I’m happy to share!
One thing I love about this appetizer is that there are so many different directions you can go with a cheese ball… you can make it sweet, savory, or spicy. You can even make it a little bit of all those flavors. With this particular recipe, I’m leading with the savory quality. The chicken makes this a filling appetizer while the pecans, ranch, and cheese flavors make it so delicious you can’t stop snacking away.
How to Serve a Cheese Ball
There are two different ways you can serve this cheese ball or really any cheese ball recipe, in my opinion. Here are a few helpful details regarding each of those techniques:
- As a ball – Obviously the most common way to serve a cheese ball is hinted in the name… as a ball of course! Simply allow your ingredients to get to room temp and mix it all together. After you are done mixing, return the mixture to the fridge to cool. Once cool, place the ingredients in plastic wrap, and start working it into a ball. And, there you have it!
- As a dip – Another way to serve a cheese ball is as a dip. If you don’t want to worry with creating a ball and it staying intact, you can easily just serve it in a dish. Spread all your ingredients in the bottom of a dish after you have mixed them together. If the recipe calls for a topping, like the pecans in this recipe, simply add that to the very top of your ingredients. Enjoy!
Ingredient FAQs
Cream cheese – I recommend the full fat cream cheese because that added richness from the fat makes for really great flavor. You could do reduced fat but just go into it knowing it may not turn out quite as rich as this recipe is intended. Also, you want to make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature before you start working with it. Cold cream cheese is super hard to mix with other ingredients.
Pecans – Go ahead and grab the chopped pecans. This will save you the time of chopping them yourself, and added bonus, they are usually less costly. For even more flavor, toast the pecans before adding them to the outside of the cheese ball. Yum!
Chicken – Don’t worry about baking chicken and shredding it yourself. Go ahead and grab canned chicken. No one will ever know!
Ranch dressing mix – You can really use any brand of ranch salad dressing mix, but sure do love that Hidden Valley Restaurant Style version.
Mayo – You know what I’m going to say… Duke’s mayo is the way to go. And, you’ll never convince me otherwise. You are absolutely allowed to use a different brand, but Duke’s is always my favorite.
Cheddar cheese – I use finely shredded cheddar cheese. I have also heard of people using Colby Jack and sharp cheddar cheese. I’m sure they taste delicious as well!
More Appetizer Recipes
If you are anything like me, you love appetizers. I mean I love LOVE appetizers. I could make an entire meal out of appetizers. So, if you love this Ranch Chicken Cheese Ball, you will also love some of my other most popular appetizer recipes:
- Deviled Ham – This is a savory mixture of finely chopped ham that can be eaten as a spread, dip, or topping. It’s perfect for leftover ham and with a stack of saltine crackers.
- Canned Biscuit Pretzel Bites – A crowdpleaser, this pretzel bite recipe is a shortcut recipe that uses a can of refrigerated biscuit dough to make warm, crispy, doughy pretzels that taste just like the ones from the mall!
- Crispy Roasted Okra with Creamy Lemon Dressing – If you love okra and you love dip, then you will absolutely love this delicious and fun appetizer.
- Secret Ingredient Fruit Salad – This isn’t just any old fruit salad. This fruit salad recipe features a secret ingredient that sets it apart from any other fruit salad you have ever had.
- Pizza Sausage Balls – A great savory appetizer option, these pizza sausage balls are a favorite on the blog and a favorite in my house! Enjoy!
Recipe Card
Ranch Chicken Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese
- 1 (10-ounce) can white meat chicken, well drained
- 1 (1-ounce) packet ranch salad dressing mix
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Allow all ingredients to come to room temperature and combine the cream cheese, chicken, ranch dressing mix, mayo, and cheese in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed. Chill for at least two hours.
- Place a few large sheets of plastic wrap out on the counter. Remove the mixture from refrigerator and place in the center of the plastic wrap. Pull up the edges of the wrap to shape and mold into ball. Coat outside with chopped pecans, pressing lightly to get them to stick. Serve with crackers, chips, veggies, etc.
Nutrition
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Karen
I made this yesterday and it was delicious. I didn’t roll it in pecans I put it in a serving bowl to serve it. Some ate it with crackers and some ate it with chips.
So glad to hear it turned out great for you!
Pam Thomas
Stacey, I’ve been making a similar with less ingredients for over 40 yrs. It’s ALWAYS a hit at any function I take it. My son has even used it as a spread to make a sandwich. I’m including my recipe here, along with some suggestions.
Chicken Cheese Ball
(From Pam Thomas)
2 – 8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened (I use Neufchâtel, 1/3 less fat)
1 or 2 cans Chunk Chicken Breast, drained (You choose how much)
1 pkg. Ranch Salad Dressing mix (dry, unprepared)
Optional:
Substitute Chicken for small can of Salmon or Tuna/Albacore
1/3 Cup Crumbled Bacon (bits)
½ Cups Finely Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 Cup (abt) Very finely shredded Mozzarella Cheese (for Snowman: to coat the cheeseballs)
Mix all ingredients in bowl with spoon. Pour onto plastic wrap to shape into ball. Can cover/roll in finely chopped pecans or chopped parsley or shredded cheese. Chill. Serve with crackers or raw vegetables.
Mold into different shapes, designs:
Christmas tree: Pat out cheeseball to shape tree. Cover with parsley, decorate with pimentos, etc;
Jack-o-lantern: Add 1 Cup finely shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese to ingredients, roll into ball shape, “draw” lines down sides to form, use piece of Lg. pretzel for stem, decorate with shapes cut from bell peppers for eyes, nose, mouth/teeth, etc;
Snow Man: Divide cheese ball into 2 or 3 graduated sized balls, roll in finely shredded mozzarella cheese; stack balls to form snowman. Decorate by adding “celery” arms, tomato “peel” scarf; bits of “black olive” eyes, mouth, & buttons down front, small shaped “carrot” nose; hat: round “Ritz” cracker with Large “deli” Black Olive “glued” on with small amt of cream cheese—Use bit of cream cheese to glue onto his head.
Can also add other ingredients to cheese ball including: finely chopped celery, green pepper, chopped Pimento; shredded cheeses, etc.
Can also blend ingredients with food processor to make a “softer” more of a “dip” consistency. Serve with chips, etc.
Thanks for sharing, Pam! Love the festive holiday ideas!
Laura
I’ve been making this cheese ball recipe for a few years and ALWAYS get rave reviews!! It’s delish!
YES it is!! Thank you Laura!
Alissa
What is a good alternative for Mayo?
I really want to try this but I don’t think imma use the Mayo. I’ll let you know how it goes if I do just make it without the Mayo.
You can make it without the mayo, it just helps to soften the cheeseball a bit. Just be sure the cream cheese is super soft and it should work fine.
Cynthia L.
An alternative to mayo would be sour cream or plain yogurt. In sour cream I use the Mexican style, not as sour and nice texture.
Susanne
This sounds amazing and I will be making it for Easter. I really like the suggestion of rolling in bacon bits as an alternative to nuts. Also, I am thinking of mixing in a 1/4 cup of craisins. Any thoughts? Thanks for this recipe it really does sound delicious.
Sounds delish to me!!
Marka Fuller
I roll mine in crushed pretzels. It’s so good!
YUM!
Lisa
I added thawed, drained and squeeze dried in paper towels, chopped spinach. So tasty!
Yum! Great addition!
Sandy
Do you have to use Mayo ?
Well, the mayo is what thins out the cream cheese and makes it spreadable.
Kimberly
I think with it being chicken I might mix dill and toasted pecans to roll it in. YUM! Thank you, Stacey!
Yes! I coated one the other day in pecans that were coated in chopped herbs and it was delicious!
Brittney Muller
I love making cheeseballs to give away as part of our Christmas gift basket o goodies, but I was hoping to find a chicken salad alternative. I think this will be just the ticket! Do you suppose the cheeseball would hold together if I add in some of the ingredients in my normal chicken salad, such as chopped nuts, grapes, and apple chunks? I think instead of ranch, I will use my regular chicken salad seasoning, too, to cut down on the MSG. Thank you for sharing!
Sounds great! My only concern would be about the moisture from the apples and grapes. If you give it a try, please let me know how it turns out!
Abby
Just made. Delicious! I think my hubby will be very happy when he gets home :).
Awesome, Abby!!
Betty
Been making this for years but without the cheddar cheese and mayo. Everyone always wants me to bring it to parties. It’s great both ways.
Chanice
A lady at church made this for our Pastor’s birthday party Sunday, and it was delicious. I plan on trying it for this Labor Day weekend.
Mary Jo
Thanks, Stacey! I plan on making this one day this week.This is just the recipe that I have been hunting for!.
Great! I hope you’ll enjoy it!!
Mary Jo
Hi, Stacey! Do you drain the can of chicken? You have great recipes!
Thanks, Mary Jo! Yes, you do drain the chicken.
Christina
I squeeze mine as well.
Renee
Wonder if crushed and drained pineapplws would be good
The salty and sweet might be a nice combo. May have to serve it as more of a dip though as the pineapple will add moisture that might keep a ball from holding its shape.
Karla
Im going to roll mine in bacon bits!!
Sounds delish! What a great idea!!
Barbara Allen
Since there are just 2 of us can I split the ball and freeze half of it ? Thank you for posting your wonderful recipes 🙂
Honestly, Barbara, I’m just not sure how well this will freeze. If it works though, please let me know so I can let everyone else know. Good luck!
Renee
I like to roll my cheeseballs in chopped parsley…good fiber and helps with onion breath and has a nice fresh flavor that feels clean and good for you..helps with the guilt feeling of eating the cheese ball 😛
Marty
We make a very similiar cheese ball but since my son refused to eat nuts, we rolled the chicken cheese ball in finely shredded sharp cheddar. DELICIOUS!
Sounds like a great alternative! Thanks for sharing.
Elizabeth
I love cheese balls, but this one sounds really good. I’m going to the store and get everything I need to make it with for Mother’s Day when we ladies all like to sit around, talk, laugh and nibble on stuff in the afternoon. Thanks for the recipe.