This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our privacy policy.
This easy chili cheese dip is always a crowd favorite! Made with a handful of ingredients, this dip comes together in a matter of minutes for the perfect addition to any party.
I love a good dip. I could easily make a meal off of chips and dip, and sweet dips – such as my cream cheese fruit dip – are one of my favorite easy desserts.
And since the TikTok algorithm knows way more than it should, it sends dip recipes my way all of the time. Not that I’m complaining. After all, cinnamon rolls with heavy cream are one of my favorite things thanks to TikTok.
A week or two ago a video of someone making their family’s version of chili cheese dip came up on my FYP and I had to put my own twist on it immediately. My dad and brother loved this easy chili cheese dip and I thought you all would enjoy it, too.
Quick & Easy Chili Cheese Dip
With the big game coming up, we’re all gonna need some good snacks.
In our house, the snacks are to keep us fueled up as we cheer on Taylor’s boyfriend, aka The Guy on the Chiefs. But no matter who you’re rooting for, you’re gonna want some good food to enjoy.
If you’re as into dip recipes as I am, then this easy chili cheese dip is a must alongside your buffalo chicken dip and spicy sausage dip.
(Psst! Don’t forget to check out my roundup of delicious game-day recipes to help round out your menu!)
This is a take on a Hormel recipe that I was inspired to make after seeing a similar version pop up on my TikTok FYP.
The most basic version of this recipe uses only 4 ingredients, but I like to add a few extras to jazz it up a bit. Even with the extras, this recipe takes only 5 minutes to assemble and 30 minutes to bake, so you’re just minutes away from hot, cheesy dip!
How to Make Chili Cheese Dip
So just how easy is this chili cheese dip recipe? I’m about to show you.
Ingredients you’ll need
The base of this recipe is made up of 4 ingredients:
- 8 ounces room temperature cream cheese
- 1 can Hormel chili with or without beans (I used with beans)
- 1 can diced green chilies OR ¼ cup diced jarred jalapenos
- 8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
The cream cheese does need to be at room temperature in order to spread it into the bottom of your baking dish. If you forget to set it out ahead of time, check out my tips on how to soften cream cheese.
I prefer to shred my own cheese because I find that it melts better. But if you are short on time, the bagged stuff will still work great!
If you want to take this dip to the next level, the following ingredients are optional but I highly recommend them:
- 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- flaky salt
- ½ cup diced fresh tomatoes
- ¼ cup sliced green onions
- sour cream
Making this recipe
To make this easy chili cheese dip, start by spreading the softened cream cheese into the bottom of an 8×8-inch baking dish. Evenly top the cream cheese with the chili.
On top of the chili, add the diced green chilies or jalapeños. If you are using diced green chilies, you won’t need to drain them, but you definitely will need to drain the brine from jarred jalapeños.
Sprinkle on the shredded cheese and bake the dip for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
Now is when you can choose to make this dip even more awesome with the optional ingredients.
Sprinkle the top of the dip with a pinch of flaky sea salt and the chopped cilantro. Top with the fresh tomatoes, green onions, and sour cream.
Serve the chili cheese dip warm with tortilla chips, Fritos Scoops (my favorite!), or even fresh veggies such as celery and carrots.
Prep Ahead
This dip takes only a few minutes to prepare, but that doesn’t mean it’s something you want to be working on in the middle of your guests arriving.
If you’d like, assemble the chili cheese dip as early as the night before your party. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or foil and store in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it.
If you are using a ceramic baking dish, make sure to pull the dip out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before placing it in the oven to take the chill off of the dish.
When you’re ready, bake the chili cheese dip as directed and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
Like so many of my recipes, this is one that you can make your own in a few different ways.
If you don’t want to use Hormel chili, feel free to use homemade chili! Just make sure it is on the thicker side, such as my friend Megan’s Christmas Eve chili or bison chili.
You’ll need just shy of 2 cups of homemade chili to equal a 15-ounce can.
You can also swap out the monterey jack cheese for your favorite shredded cheese. Cheddar, pepperjack, Mexican blend, or colby jack are all great options.
And don’t forget the toppings. Those are always easy to change up! Fresh tomatoes, cilantro, green onions, and sour cream are some of my favorites, but other options include:
- Salsa
- Fresh avocado
- Black olives
- Hot sauce
No matter how you dress it up, this easy chili cheese dip is sure to be a hit at your game-day gathering!
Easy Chili Cheese Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1 can Hormel chili with or without beans 15-ounces (I used with beans)
- 1 can diced green chilies 4-ounces (OR ¼ cup diced jarred jalapenos)
- 8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- flaky salt
- ½ cup diced fresh tomatoes optional
- ¼ cup sliced green onions optional
- sour cream optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spread softened cream cheese into the bottom on an 8×8-inch baking dish. Spread Hormel chili onto the cream cheese layer.
- Next, layer on the diced green chilies. There is no need to drain the green chilies, but if you are using jarred jalapenos, be sure to drain the brine.
- Add cheese and bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
- Sprinkle with a pinch of flaky salt and chopped cilantro. Add on your toppings of choice such as fresh tomatoes, green onions and sour cream. Serve warm with tortilla chips, Fritos Scoops, or even fresh veggies such as celery and carrots.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
