The first time I ordered Chili’s Skillet Queso, I was skeptical that a simple cheese dip could deserve so much menu real estate. Then that warm cast iron skillet arrived at our table, steam rising from the creamy, meaty dip, and I was instantly converted. One bite of that velvety cheese, paired with the spiced chili, had me scraping the bottom of the dish and flagging down our server for a second order.
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Why This Copycat Chili’s Skillet Queso Recipe Is The One To Make
This isn’t just another cheese dip recipe—it’s the definitive replica of Chili’s famous queso that delivers authentic restaurant flavor with almost zero effort. What makes it special? Its genius simplicity. While you could certainly create a complex cheese sauce from scratch and simmer your chili for hours, this two-ingredient approach delivers identical results in just minutes.
The magic lies in the specific combination of processed cheese and canned chili. This pairing creates the perfect texture, consistency, and flavor profile, making Chili’s queso a menu staple for decades. The processed cheese melts into an impossibly smooth texture that never breaks or gets grainy, while the canned chili provides the ideal balance of meat, spice, and thickness.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Authentically Replicates Chili’s Version: Tastes exactly like the restaurant’s original
- Impossibly Easy: Just two ingredients and one pan
- Quick Preparation: Ready in 15 minutes from start to finish
- Budget-Friendly: Much more economical than restaurant dining
- Foolproof Success: Nearly impossible to mess up, even for cooking novices
- Versatile Usage: Works as a dip, topping, or ingredient in other dishes
- Crowd Pleaser: Universally appealing flavor that satisfies all ages
Ingredients
Simplicity is the best, and this chili con queso recipe is just as simple as possible. There are only two simple ingredients you can easily find at any grocery store. Yep, that is it. From these humble ingredients, greatness is achievable, so don’t screw things up by trying to get all fancy.
- Velveeta cheese – Provides the signature smooth, creamy texture that never breaks or becomes grainy when melted
- Canned chili without beans – Delivers savory, seasoned meat and the perfect thickness without bean texture interrupting the creaminess
Recipe Tips and Tricks
When the most complicated part of a recipe is melting cheese, you know that even your teens or kitchen-phobic spouse can handle it on their own. Yet, inept cooks have a history of messing up when it comes to boiling water, so here are a few tricks you may want to pass along.
- Cut the block of cheese into small cubes. This will let the cheese melt quicker and more evenly and help avoid scorching.
- Don’t melt the cheese alone. Combine the cubed cheese with the Hormel chili in a large enough saucepan so that the mixture only reaches halfway up the sides. Place the saucepan over low heat.
- Stir continuously. That means keep the mixture moving from the moment the pan goes on the heat until you take it off. Alternate between a circular and a figure-eight stirring pattern to ensure the ingredients in the center of the pot don’t burn.
- Once the cheese melts and the chili is hot, remove the saucepan from the heat. Do not let it come to a full rolling boil. Stir a few more times once you remove the heat.
How to Make Chili’s Skillet Queso Dip
Simply heat the ingredients in a skillet or saucepan over low heat on the stove top until the cheese has melted, stirring often.
Some people like the dip a little chunky, but those who don’t can blend it. The best way to get a smooth consistency is to use a stick blender directly in the pot. While using a regular blender to puree the dip in batches is possible, things will get a bit messy.
Would you instead make it in a slow cooker? Check out this Crock Pot Queso recipe.
Watch us make Chili’s Skillet Queso on YouTube!
Authentic Two-Ingredient Chili’s Skillet Queso (Copycat Recipe)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Velveeta cheese
- 30 ounces Hormel No-Bean Chili
Instructions
- Heat the ingredients together in a skillet or saucepan over low heat until melted, stirring often.
- For the most accurate texture, you should puree the cooked dip in a blender.
Video
Notes
Expert Tips for Perfect Skillet Queso
- Cube the cheese properly: Smaller, uniform cubes melt faster and more evenly
- Low and slow is key: Never rush the melting process with high heat
- Stir constantly: The most crucial step for preventing scorching and ensuring smooth texture
- Pre-warm your serving dish: Running hot water over your serving dish before adding the queso helps maintain the perfect temperature
- Quality matters: While this is a simple recipe, using Hormel chili delivers explicitly the most authentic flavor
- Temperature control: Remove from heat just as everything is melted and combined, before it reaches a boil
- For entertaining: Make a double batch and keep warm in a slow cooker set to low
Nutrition
How to Serve Chili’s Skillet Queso
- Pour the queso dip into a warmed cast iron skillet or bowl.
- You can also pour it into a slow cooker set on low heat to keep it warm.
- Serve with tortilla chips and salsa.
This is much more than just a dip. Use this cheese dip the same way you would use any sauce. Here are some ideas:
- Top a plate of fries or a baked potato.
- Pour it over tortilla chips topped with ground beef and garnish it with lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, and sour cream for loaded nachos.
- Throw in pasta shells for a meaty mac and cheese.
- Pour it on top of a hamburger or hotdog.
- Spread it on toasted bread for an instant grilled cheese sandwich.
How to Store and Reheat Chili’s Queso Dip
Cool the queso to room temperature. Place it in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
Reheat by cutting the congealed dip into cubes and heating over low heat on the stovetop. Alternatively, you can warm it in the microwave.
Love Chilis? Try these copycat recipes!
Favorite Appetizer Recipes
- Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
- Asian Wings
- Bacon Wrapped Lil Smokies
- Fried Cheese Sticks
- Fried Mushrooms
- Garlic Wings
- Rotel Dip with Ground Beef
- White Queso Dip
Check out more of my easy appetizer recipes and the best copycat recipes for casual dining restaurants here on CopyKat!
Thanks to fellow viewer Steve for the inspiration for this recipe.
Great recipe!
Now I make mine with Jimmie Deans reg. Pork sausage. Instead of hamburger meat.chop and fry the sausage first ,drain all the grease and then add to the Velveeta cheese cook together adding the jalapeno peppers and one Rotel tomatoes and chilis. Melt together and thin with milk if need be. Enjoy. Very tasty.