This Homemade Copycat Chili's Skillet Queso Is Better Than the Original (2024)

Queso dip is one of those magical foods that is a good idea any time of year, for any occasion. It's a super easy yet satisfying cheesy appetizer that always hits the spot. And there are many different versions to try—from classic white queso, to a dip packed with chiles, to one loaded with meat, there is something for every palate. But this copycat version of Chili's Skillet Queso might just be the best yet. Not only is it a perfect balance of bold flavors, it's easy to make and comes out bubbling, gooey, and irresistible. Get a restaurant-quality dish right from your own stovetop with this copycat recipe.

What Makes Chili's Skillet Queso So Good?

If you've had the bottomless chips, salsa, and queso at Chili's, then you'll know just how good the menu item is. The chain restaurant's cheese dip with beef is popular for its zesty, Mexican-inspired taste, creamy texture, and piping hot skillet presentation. While diners are divided on whether the restaurant's dip is actually queso in the strictest sense, or more like a cheesy, meaty, chili dip, it's a fan-favorite either way.

More importantly, it can be recreated at home with a handful of readily-available ingredients in just about 10 minutes. This decadent cheese dip is perfect when a Chili's queso craving hits but you just don’t feel like putting on pants and leaving the house.

How to Make Copycat Chili's Skillet Queso

Grab a few essentials from your pantry, or the store:

• Processed cheese, such as Velveeta, plus milk create a scoopable, creamy texture.
• A can of no-bean chili, like Hormel, makes the dip hearty and robust.
• Seasonings; lime juice, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper, round out the queso dip with bold flavor.
• A garnish of chopped onion and cilantro adds a fresh pop to each bite.
• Salsa and chips on the side, of course, for dipping fun.

Then follow a few easy steps. Melt the processed cheese in a skillet. Add in the milk, chili, lime juice, and seasonings to combine. Everything melts together easily and the spices help bump up the zest of the canned chili.

While the queso ingredients simmer for a few minutes so the flavors can meld, chop up some onion and cilantro to sprinkle on top of the dip before serving. Scoop out the piping-hot skillet queso with your favorite tortilla chips until you have scraped the bottom of the pan.

As our Test Kitchen recipe testers say, "The texture is ideal and the beefy bits throughout make it even heartier."

Make Copycat Chili's Queso Your Own

Serve your copycat Chili's skillet queso with your favorite plain or lime-flavored tortilla chips, tostadas, pita bread, veggie sticks, pretzel bites, and more. You can also personalize this recipe to make it your own by substituting in your go-to canned spicy chili, chicken chili verde, or even leftover chili you have from dinner the other night. Really, any combination of cheese, meat, and chili is going to be divine, especially when it's delivered on a crispy chip.

How to Store Leftover Queso

If you are making your queso dip ahead or if you miraculously have leftovers, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator (for up to four days) and reheat it in a nonstick skillet on medium-low until heated through, about 6 minutes.