Chili’s Copycat Skillet Queso Recipe

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4 from 1 vote
Published: February 4, 2022Author: Elyse Ellis
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This Chili's Copycat Skillet Queso Recipe is quick, simple, full of flavor and the perfect appetizer. If you are more of a savory person, you will go crazy for this dip. You can make it as mild or as spicy as you'd like.
Chili’s Copycat Skillet Queso Recipe

If you liked our Chili’s Copycat Salsa Recipe, then you will love this Chili’s Copycat Skillet Queso recipe.

It’s simple to throw together and tastes SO good.

This makes a great appetizer or snack.

What could I replace the Velveeta cheese with in this Chili’s Copycat Skillet Queso:

This recipe calls for Velveeta Cheese. I am personally a big fan of it. I know it’s considered not a “real” cheese, but I do think it is delicious, especially in this dish.

If you are looking for a replacement, we have an easy switch.

Here is what we recommend:

  • 3-4 cups sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup sour cream

Bring the ingredients to a small boil over the stove top, at medium heat, stirring constantly.

Continue to make the recipe as directed, in the instructions. This will be a little thinner of a substance, so you may need to add more sharp cheddar cheese, depending on how thick you want the sauce.

We made it using 4 cups and it was thick, but still delicious. For the best results we recommend using Velveeta cheese.

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We have hundreds of simple and delicious recipes, your family is going to love. We take you through each recipe, step by step, and show you exactly how to make them.

We are a total dip and sauce family. You give us a dip, and it will be gone in seconds.

Looking for more delicious appetizers:

Serves: 8

Chili’s Copycat Skillet Queso Recipe

4 from 1 vote
This Chili's Copycat Skillet Queso Recipe is quick, simple, full of flavor and the perfect appetizer. If you are more of a savory person, you will go crazy for this dip.
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Print Pin

Ingredients

  • 1 (16 ounce) box Velveeta Cheese
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1 (15 ounce) can chili (No Beans)
  • 4 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 Tablespoon lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 (14 ounce) bag tortilla chips optional

Instructions

  • Cut the Velveeta cheese into cubes.
  • Combine the cheese with the remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Stir frequently until cheese melts.
  • Enjoy with tortilla chips or bread.

Notes

Ideas of what you can dip in this queso:
  • Vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, celery, sweet peppers, olives, etc.).
  • Spread it over burritos, enchiladas, nachos, quesadillas, etc.
  • Bread sticks
  • Pita Bread
  • Doritos (one of the worlds best combinations).

Nutrition

Calories: 170 kcal · Carbohydrates: 14 g · Protein: 13 g · Fat: 7 g · Saturated Fat: 5 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 27 mg · Sodium: 934 mg · Potassium: 436 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 9 g · Vitamin A: 1502 IU · Vitamin C: 79 mg · Calcium: 372 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Equipment

  • Medium Saucepan

Recipe Details

Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican

(Recipe from Everything in Moderation)

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  1. Cookbook Queen says:
    January 4, 2012
    My little boy is CRAZY about Chili's Queso...he wants to eat there ALL. THE. TIME because of it. Can't wait to try this!!
    Reply
  2. Christine Mazeski says:
    January 4, 2012
    i cant wait to try this!
    Reply
  3. Mique (as in Mickey) says:
    January 7, 2012
    YUM!!! Josh and I used to go to Chili's all the time when we were dating (14 yrs ago- wow!) and ALWAYS got this. I will definitely be making it soon. Thanks for linking it up to my Pity Party! xo
    Reply
  4. The Thrifters says:
    January 13, 2012
    Just tonight we were saying we should make some queso dip....looks like it was a good idea.
    Reply
  5. Cupcakes & Tea says:
    February 5, 2012
    Just made a batch for the Superbowl and it is YUMMO!
    Reply
  6. Erica {let why lead} says:
    March 19, 2012
    Just found you through pinterest, and I must say - I am going to try this asap! I bet my boys would finish it in two seconds!
    Reply
  7. 39a6710e-c854-11e1-b9b1-000bcdcb471e says:
    July 7, 2012
    Would this work as a crockpot recipe? Thanks!
    Reply
    • Six Sisters says:
      August 24, 2012
      Hi,

      I am sure you could put all the ingredients in your crock pot and cook on low for 2-3 hours and it would work just fine!
      Reply
  8. michelle555 says:
    July 8, 2012
    i made this and it was very very good. however i changed a few things and eyeballed alot. but instead of hormel, i used ground beef seasoned with quite a few things, all mexican. i used 12 ounces velveta, 3/4 cans of rotel tomatos to give it some tomato bits( i dont like salsa.. wierd right? or else i would have added a little bit of that), a splash of milk and all the spices you mentioned, just less. it was the bomb! way better than chili's. thank you so much for the great idea! even though i didnt make it exactly how you did, im so happy! the cheese was the perfect texture and stayed the right consistency as it cooled down. thanks so much for posting this! my husband says its one of the best things he's had.. so I guess I will be cooking this until im 99 years old and bed ridden. :)
    Reply
  9. AnickH says:
    August 18, 2012
    i work at chills and i know that the chilis queso has beef in it and it has refried beans in it, so maybe if you build upon the recipe u posted and then add refried beans and beef, then it would be more close
    Reply
    • Vicki says:
      May 20, 2021
      If you’d put refried bean how much would you think would work with this recipe?
      Reply
  10. TK says:
    September 5, 2012
    I followed exactly but used Hormel WITH beans not without! I'm not quite sure why this recipie calls for the kind without beans as Chili's queso DOES have beans in it !
    Reply
  11. AnickH says:
    September 21, 2012
    i made this and it tasted the exact same as our chills queso (i work at chilis) the only problem was is that i had to dump the 1st batch because the 1 cup of milk was too watery. so the second time i made it i only used 1/4 cup of milk. 1 cup is way too much and i was wrong in my 1st comment. chills queso does not have beans. its only chili and velveeta. just like you wrote it.
    Reply
  12. mrs.lemire says:
    January 27, 2013
    Just whipped up a batch exactly as you have it written here. I think the 1 cup of milk is perfect. Any less, and it gets too thick to quick. It also helps cut down the spice kick. I think this version has a little more kick than the Chili's version, so I might cut down on that next time. But it is a great knock of version! Thanks for posting.
    Reply
  13. mrs.lemire says:
    January 27, 2013
    oh I forgot to add: This is a huge batch too. Unless I am going to a party, I will probably half this recipe for home nibbling. :)
    Reply
  14. Colleen says:
    February 3, 2013
    I love this recipe. It tastes a little better then Chili's which I didn't think was possible. Whenever I go to Chili's I order the queso, but my best friend and I agree that we're spoiled with this recipe now and prefer it. Thank you for sharing!
    Reply
  15. Big Mama Kaboose says:
    February 3, 2013
    Made this for the 4th time today. It's SO damn good and we found Tostitos Cantina Style Thin Chips to dip in it. They really make it that much better. TY for sharing this!!
    Reply
  16. Betty says:
    July 30, 2013
    My grandkids LOVE Chili's Queso so they were excited to try this. We made it today and they all loved it, they said it was better than Chili''s. I did put about a half can of refried beans in with the chili. Will be making this often.
    Reply
  17. Suzy says:
    December 27, 2013
    It seems to me that Chili's has small bits of meat chunks in their queso. I never could decide if it was beef or sausage.
    Reply
  18. Suzy says:
    December 27, 2013
    Seems to me that Chili's has bits of meat in their queso, am I wrong about this? (I never could decide if it was beef or sausage!)
    Reply
  19. Megan says:
    July 27, 2020
    I've made this at least 50 times in the last 7 years, it is amazing! Someone ALWAYS asks for the recipe every time I make it. IT'S SO GOOD! Thank you!
    Reply
    • Cyd says:
      July 28, 2020
      Hi Megan. We are so glad you like the copycat skillet Queso recipe. It's a family favorite and great for parties or movie night! Have a terrific week! Thanks for sharing the recipe with others!
      Reply
  20. Julie says:
    August 17, 2020
    Can this be frozen?
    Reply
    • Cyd Adamson says:
      August 27, 2020
      Yes, it should freeze fine in a freezer container.
      Reply
  21. Amy S says:
    January 14, 2022
    This is such an easy recipe and tastes pretty close to the real thing! I used about 3/4c of milk, starting with 1/2c, and used a little less spices because the first time I made it with all the spices and even my spice-loving husband thought it was too much. This is otherwise delicious and I love to make it!

    4 stars

    Reply
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