• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

One Sweet Appetite

Easy Everyday Recipes

  • Recipe Index
    • Breakfast
    • Camping Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Holiday
    • Party
  • Breakfast
    • Muffins and Pastries
    • Egg Recipes
    • Jelly and Jam Recipes
    • Pancakes, Waffles, French toast
    • Oat Recipes
    • Smoothie Recipes
  • Easy Dinners
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Slow Cooker Meals
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Condiments and Sauces
  • Desserts
    • Brownie and Bar Recipes
    • Cake and Cupcake Recipes
    • Cookie Recipes
    • Frozen Dessert Recipes
    • Pie Recipes
  • Drinks
    • Cocktails
    • Coffee
    • Non Alcoholic Drinks
Home » Dinner Recipes » Side Dish Recipes » Copycat Chili’s Skillet Queso Recipe

Copycat Chili’s Skillet Queso Recipe

Rate Recipe By Jesseca on December 29, 2022

Jump SaveSaved! Share Pin

Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

This copycat Chili’s Skillet Queso tastes exactly like the original and takes only minutes to make! With just 5 easy ingredients, you can have this queso ready to serve in 20 minutes. Bonus? It can also be made in a slow cooker!

Looking for more cheesy favorites? Be sure to try my Beer Cheese Dip Recipe!

queso dripping off chip

This easy queso was a happy accident. We were hankering for some seriously delicious dip, dug around the pantry, and tossed ingredients together. 

Amazingly enough, this tasted EXACTLY like the skillet queso you get at Chili’s! As Bob Ross would say, a happy little accident. 

Everything starts with a quick saute of onions and garlic until they are soft. Mix in some chili, Velveeta, and a secret ingredient… SALSA. Specifically, we like to use green salsa. Trader Joe’s makes a  Hatch Valley Salsa that is a killer addition. 

queso ingredients

Copycat Chili’s Skillet Queso Ingredients:

The base ingredient list for this cheese dip is only 5 items, which means it is cheap to make. It also makes a whooping 10 servings (8 if you go a little heavy handed), which makes it a go-to party pleaser. 

  • Onion- I use yellow onion. Yellow onion has a bold flavor which tones down slightly during the cooking process, but still leaves you with a great onion-y flavor. 
  • Garlic- Not much, but just enough to kick things up a notch.
  • Chili- This is key, use a bean-less chili, like Hormel Chili with no beans.
  • Salsa- I called this out above, and I will do it again… Hatch Valley Salsa from Trader Joe’s is such a great addition. You can technically use any green salsa for a similar flavor. But this is my go-to.
  • Velveeta- We tried this with cheddar, and the votes were unanimous. Velveeta takes things from a solid 8 to 10. 

Helpful tools for this recipe:

  • A 10-inch cast iron skillet. Technically, and skillet or pot will work as long as it is medium/large in size. We like to serve this in a cast iron skillet to help keep it warm and get that fun serving flair. 
  • OR a 1.5 slow cooker! This little cutey is only $14 and a dream if you are constantly taking dishes to parties or gatherings. Perfect for party dips and sauces! 
  • Silicone spatulas– Because everyone should have a set of these in their kitchen! I have two. They are SO HANDY and heat resistant. 
queso in skillet with tortilla chips and lime slices

How to make Chili’s Skillet Queso at home: 

The cooking process for this is incredibly simple. You will have it ready in under 20 minutes including prep time and cooking. 

  1. Saute the onions, in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat, in 1 tablespoon of butter or oil until soft, about 5 minutes.
  2. Stir in the garlic and cook one additional minute.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients. Heat until the cheese has melted and the dip is warm. Serve with chips.

Homemade queso lasts 2 to 4 days. Make sure you keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove or microwave when ready to eat. 

How to make queso in a slow cooker:

  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small slow cooker.
  2. Heat on low for 2 hours, or until melted and heated through.
  3. Serve with chips.

Handy little kitchen tip, use these liners to make slow cooker clean up even easier. They are my FAVORITE.

queso dip on chip above skillet

More Cheesy Appetizers:

  • The BEST Cheese Ball Recipe
  • Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
  • Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip
  • Mini Cheese Ball Bites
  • Philly Cheese Eggrolls

More Copycat Recipes:

  • Copycat Sizzler Malibu Chicken
  • Asian Zing Bites- Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings
  • Zupas Strawberry Harvest Salad Copycat
  • Homemade Circus Cookies

4.34 from 3 votes

Copycat Chili's Skillet Queso

Created by: Jesseca

Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
8 to 10 servings
This copycat Chili's Skillet Queso tastes exactly like the original and takes only minutes to make! With just 5 easy ingredients, you can have this queso ready to serve in 20 minutes. Bonus? It can also be made in a slow cooker!
Print
Pin
Share
Rate
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup yellow onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 15oz can beanless chili
  • 1 cup green salsa we recommend Trader Joe's Hatch Chile Salsa
  • 12 oz Velveeta cubed
  • Tortilla chips for serving

Instructions

  • 1. Saute the onions, in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat, in 1 tablespoon of butter or oil until soft, about 5 minutes.
  • 2. Stir in the garlic and cook one additional minute.
  • 3. Add the remaining ingredients. Heat until the cheese has melted and the dip is warm. Serve with chips.

Slow Cooker Instructions:

  • 1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small slow cooker.
  • 2. Heat on low for 2 hours, or until melted and heated through.
  • 3. Serve with chips.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 cup | Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 873mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g

Equipment

Silicone Spatulas
Slow Cooker
Skillets

Did You Make This Recipe?

Share it with me on Instagram @1sweetappetite and follow pinterest for more!

Email Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
Pin for later:

This copycat Chili's Skillet Queso tastes exactly like the original and takes only minutes to make! With just 5 easy ingredients, you can have this queso ready to serve in 20 minutes. Bonus? It can also be made in a slow cooker!

Still hungry? Follow One Sweet Appetite on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!

Sharing is caring!

179 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
« Previous
No-Churn Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
Next »
S’more Cupcakes Recipe

Reader Interactions

Find even more recipes!

Be sure to share it in the comments below and follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram for even more delicious recipes.

Leave a Review! Cancel reply

Share your thoughts below, I love to see your creations!
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Jesseca - Author of One Sweet Appetite

Welcome, I'm Jesseca!

I could not be more excited to have you join me in my kitchen! Everyday easy recipes are my specialty, which means you will find so many fast, quick, and delicious recipes throughout my site. My goal is to create go-to recipes using simple ingredients and pantry staples.

More About Me

New Weekly Recipes

Subscribe for the latest recipes in your inbox!

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

Find a Recipe

Featured Recipes

  • Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes
  • Savannah Smiles Recipe
  • Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Amazing Lemon Cheesecake Bars
  • Coconut Lime Frosted Sugar Cookies
  • Cherry Pie Bars

Browse Topics

  • Breakfast
  • Desserts
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • Main Dish Recipes
  • Pasta Recipes
  • Salad Recipes
  • Side Dish Recipes
  • Slow Cooker Meals
  • Drink Recipes

New Weekly Recipes

Subscribe for the latest recipes in your inbox!

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

©2023, One Sweet Appetite. Contact Disclosure Privacy Policy Back To Top
Design by Pixel Me Designs
×

New Weekly Recipes

Subscribe for the latest recipes in your inbox!

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

179 shares