If you ask me, layered dips are one of the best party foods ever invented.
This crowd-favorite appetizer brings together everything we love about game day snacks – warm chili, creamy cheese, and all the fresh toppings. Each layer adds something special, from the hearty base to the cool sour cream on top.
The secret is in how you build it – starting with a cream cheese foundation that gets topped with spiced chili, then piling on shredded cheese, fresh tomatoes, and green onions. It’s like a taco and a dip had a delicious baby.
It’s the kind of easy-to-make dish that disappears fast at potlucks and always has people asking for the recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Cream Cheese Chili Dip
- Super quick preparation – Ready in just 15 minutes or less, this dip is perfect for last-minute gatherings or when unexpected guests drop by.
- Only 3 main ingredients – With just chili, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese, you can create this crowd-pleasing dip using ingredients you might already have in your kitchen.
- Party-perfect appetizer – This dip is always a hit at game days, potlucks, and parties – people literally can’t stop eating it!
- No cooking skills needed – Just layer and heat – it’s so simple that even kitchen beginners can make this successfully every single time.
What Kind of Cream Cheese Should I Use?
Regular block-style cream cheese is your best bet for this layered dip – skip the whipped or spreadable varieties since they can make your dip too soft. While low-fat cream cheese can work in a pinch, full-fat cream cheese will give you the richest, creamiest result and holds up better when heated. Make sure to let your cream cheese sit out for about 30 minutes before using it – room temperature cream cheese spreads much more easily and helps prevent lumps in your dip. If you’re in a hurry, you can unwrap the cream cheese and microwave it for about 20 seconds to soften it up.
Options for Substitutions
This easy dip recipe can be tweaked in several ways to match your preferences or what you have in your pantry:
- Chili without beans: You can use chili with beans if that’s what you have, or even make your own quick chili using ground beef and taco seasoning. Vegetarian? Try using meatless chili or refried beans mixed with taco seasoning.
- Cream cheese: While cream cheese gives this dip its signature creamy texture, you could use Neufchatel cheese for a lighter option. Just make sure it’s at room temperature before using.
- Cheddar cheese: Feel free to mix up the cheese – try using a Mexican cheese blend, pepper jack for some heat, or a combination of monterey jack and cheddar. Pre-shredded cheese works fine, but freshly grated melts better.
- Chips: While tortilla chips or Fritos are classic choices, this dip also works great with crackers, pita chips, or even cut-up vegetables for a lower-carb option.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest challenge when making a layered dip is temperature control – cold cream cheese won’t spread easily and can tear your layers, so make sure to let it soften at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before assembling.
Another common mistake is serving the dip straight from the fridge, which makes it too firm and difficult to scoop – instead, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving, allowing the cheese layers to become perfectly dippable.
To prevent your dip from becoming watery, drain any excess liquid from the chili before layering, and if you’re making it ahead, wait to add the final cheese layer until just before heating to avoid oil separation.
For the best melty texture, warm the assembled dip in the microwave in 30-second intervals or bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, just until the cheese is bubbly but not completely melted.
What to Serve With Chili Cream Cheese Dip?
This rich and cheesy dip is perfect for game day snacking, and while it’s great with the suggested tortilla chips or Fritos, there are lots of other tasty ways to serve it! Try setting out a variety of dippers like crunchy bell pepper slices, celery sticks, or thick-cut carrots for people who want a fresher option. For a real crowd-pleasing spread, I like to put out both corn and flour tortilla chips, plus some toasted pita triangles or bagel chips. Since this dip is on the heavier side, it pairs really well with lighter snacks like a veggie platter or a bowl of fresh salsa and guacamole on the side.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: If you have any leftover dip (which rarely happens at my house!), transfer it to an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for up to 3-4 days. Just keep in mind that the texture might get a bit firmer when chilled.
Make Ahead: This dip is perfect for prepping ahead of time! You can assemble it up to 24 hours before your party – just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften up a bit.
Warm Up: To bring leftover dip back to its creamy glory, just pop it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until it reaches your desired temperature. You can also warm it up in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes.
| Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 3-5 minutes |
| Total Time | 8-15 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1800-2000
- Protein: 60-70 g
- Fat: 130-150 g
- Carbohydrates: 90-100 g
Ingredients
- 1 can chili without beans (16 ounces)
- 1 package cream cheese (8 ounces)
- 1 package shredded cheddar cheese (16 ounces, mild or sharp)
- Nacho chips or frito scoops, for serving
Step 1: Warm and Spread the Cream Cheese
Place cream cheese in a 12″ x 12″ Pyrex dish or a glass pie dish.
Microwave for 1 minute to soften the cream cheese.
After microwaving, spread the softened cream cheese evenly to cover the bottom of the dish.
Step 2: Add Chili Layer
Once the cream cheese is evenly spread, pour a can of Hormel chili over the cream cheese layer.
Gently spread the chili to form an even layer covering the cream cheese.
Step 3: Top with Cheddar Cheese
Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese over the chili layer, ensuring it covers the chili evenly.
Step 4: Melt the Cheese
Place the dish back in the microwave and heat for 3 minutes or until the cheddar cheese has fully melted and is bubbly.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Remove the dish from the microwave with caution, as it will be hot.
Serve immediately with nacho chips or scoop Fritos for dipping.
Enjoy your delicious layer dip!