Silky Creamy Cheddar Chili Dip Recipe: Family-Favorite Comfort

Comfort and flavor collide in this irresistible creamy cheddar chili dip that will become your new go-to party favorite.

Melted cheese and hearty chili create a mouthwatering combination guaranteed to delight taste buds.

Packed with bold spices and rich, tangy cheddar, this dip brings serious excitement to any gathering.

The recipe strikes the perfect balance between creamy textures and zesty chili notes.

Serve it alongside crispy tortilla chips or warm bread for maximum enjoyment.

Each bite promises a delicious journey of savory goodness that guests won’t be able to resist.

Dive into this crowd-pleasing dip and watch it disappear in moments.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 201 kcal

Servings: 5

What You Need for Cheddar Chili Dip

• Butter: Provides rich, velvety foundation for roux with smooth melting properties.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates silky thickening agent for creamy sauce texture.

• Whole Milk: Delivers luxurious creaminess and helps develop smooth sauce consistency.

• Cheddar Cheese: Introduces tangy, sharp flavor profile with gorgeous melting characteristics.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste depth and balances cheese's richness.
• Chili Powder: Adds warm, subtle heat and complex spice dimension to dip.

Kitchen Essentials to Stir Up This Savory Dip

• Sauce Pot: Small, sturdy pot for creating roux and cheese sauce.
• Whisk: Essential tool for smooth mixing and preventing lumps.
• Measuring Cups: Precise measurements for milk, flour, and butter.
• Cheese Grater: For shredding fresh cheddar cheese.
• Wooden Spoon: Backup stirring tool if whisk is unavailable.
• Heat-Resistant Spatula: Helpful for scraping sides of pot.
• Measuring Spoons: For accurate salt and chili powder portions.

Make the Ultimate Gooey, Cheesy Chili Dip

• Butter and Flour Fusion

Grab a small pot and combine butter with flour. Swirl and mix over gentle heat until the mixture turns frothy and light. Keep stirring for about a minute to develop a rich, golden base.

• Milk Magic

Pour milk slowly into the buttery mixture, whisking constantly. Allow the liquid to bubble and thicken, transforming into a silky smooth sauce. Watch for the moment when it coats your stirring spoon perfectly.

• Cheese Cascade

Sprinkle cheddar into the warm sauce, handful by handful. Stir gently, letting each portion melt completely. The sauce will become glossy and irresistibly creamy, with a golden hue.

• Flavor Boost

Introduce a dash of salt and chili powder to awaken the dip’s personality. Taste and adjust until the flavors dance together harmoniously. If the mixture feels too thick, splash in a bit more milk to restore its luxurious texture.

Spice It Up or Keep It Mellow—Here’s How

• Smart Serving Suggestions: Warm this dip right before guests arrive for maximum flavor and creamy texture. Serve alongside crispy tortilla chips, fresh vegetable sticks, or warm soft pretzels for delightful dipping experiences.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Choose block cheddar and hand-grate for smoother melting compared to pre-shredded varieties. Room temperature cheese helps prevent clumping and creates silkier sauce consistency.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust chili powder quantity to match personal heat preferences. Mild palates can use less, while spice lovers might add extra for a zesty kick. Consider mixing in smoked paprika for deeper flavor complexity.
• Storage Wisdom: Refrigerate leftover dip in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Gently reheat on stovetop, whisking in small milk splashes to restore original creamy texture. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent cheese separation.
• Make-Ahead Tricks: Prepare cheese sauce base up to two days in advance. Store covered in refrigerator, then quickly reheat and season just before serving for effortless entertaining.

How to Serve Your Dip with Chips or Bread

• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange the creamy chili dip in a beautiful ceramic bowl surrounded by crispy tortilla chips, fresh vegetable sticks, and warm soft pretzels for a crowd-pleasing appetizer spread.
• Nacho Night Delight: Drizzle this rich, cheesy dip generously over freshly made nachos, topped with jalapeños, diced tomatoes, and a sprinkle of green onions for extra flavor and texture.
• Game Day Dipping Station: Create a fun interactive dipping area with the chili cheddar dip as the centerpiece, accompanied by different types of crackers, toasted baguette slices, and crunchy breadsticks to satisfy various snacking preferences.
• Breakfast Twist: Use the dip as a unique spread for breakfast sandwiches or as a warm sauce over scrambled eggs and crispy bacon to add a zesty, cheesy kick to morning meals.

Store Cheddar Chili Dip for Easy Reheating

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep your chili dip in an airtight container, ensuring it stays fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Chill quickly to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Reheat with Care: Warm the dip gently in the microwave using 15-second intervals, stirring between each burst. Add a splash of milk to restore creamy consistency and prevent scorching.
• Freezing Friendly: Wrap the dip tightly in freezer-safe containers, lasting up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve its silky smooth texture.
• Serving Suggestions: Serve dip at room temperature for the best flavor. Transfer to a small slow cooker or fondue pot to keep warm during gatherings, encouraging continuous enjoyment with tortilla chips, vegetable sticks, or crusty bread.

Spicy Cheddar Chili Dip Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty cheddar chili dip delivers robust southwestern flavors in minutes. Melted cheese and zesty spices create an irresistible appetizer perfect for game day gatherings you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 6 oz (170 g) medium cheddar, shredded
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• 2 tbsps (30 g) butter
• 2 tbsps (16 g) flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp chili powder

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Instructions

1. Roux Creation: Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk flour until the mixture transforms into a golden, frothy base, eliminating raw flour notes through continuous stirring for one minute.
2. Sauce Development: Gradually stream milk into the roux, whisking gently to prevent lumps while allowing the mixture to heat and thicken consistently, creating a smooth foundation.
3. Cheese Integration: Reduce heat and incorporate shredded cheddar cheese in small batches, folding delicately until each portion melts completely into the velvety sauce, ensuring a uniform, creamy texture.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Sprinkle salt and chili powder throughout the dip, stirring thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly and balance the overall flavor profile.
5. Final Refinement: Adjust consistency by adding a splash of milk if the dip appears too thick, stirring until achieving a luxurious, silky texture perfect for serving.

Notes

• Prevent Lumpy Sauce: Whisk continuously while adding milk to create a smooth, silky base without any unwanted flour clumps.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Add cheese gradually and fold gently to ensure complete melting and a uniform, creamy texture without separating.
• Spice Balance: Adjust chili powder carefully to control heat level, tasting as you go to achieve the perfect flavor intensity.
• Consistency Control: Keep milk nearby to thin the dip if it becomes too thick, maintaining a luxurious, dippable texture throughout serving.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 201
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg