Skyline Chili Dip Recipe (Made With Cincinnati-Style Chili)

This Skyline chili dip is the ultimate game-day appetizer—savory, cheesy, and loaded with meaty deliciousness in every bite. Inspired by the famous Cincinnati-style chili, this recipe layers smooth cream cheese, hearty Skyline chili, and plenty of melty cheddar cheese to create a dip that’s absolutely addictive.

Why I Love This Skyline Chili Dip

This skyline chili dip may just be one of my favorite dips, which is really saying something because I've developed a bit of an obsession with developing dip recipes lately.

Now, if you've never heard of skyline chili, it's about to rock your world. It's basically a canned chili that was invented by the Cincinnati restaurant Skyline Chili. It's got a slightly sweeter edge than most chilis, and when you pair it with cream cheese and cheddar cheese, you get a super creamy, cheesy, and flavorful dip like no other.

After one bite, you'll understand why my family and friends can't get enough of this Cincinnati chili dip. It's seriously so good and is my favorite dip recipe to whip up when I have guests over, since it's so easy and can be made at a moment's notice.

The process of making this Skyline dip is quick and easy. All you have to do is combine the ingredients and heat everything in a baking dish. Serve it warm with tortilla chips, bread, veggies, or whatever you want! How great does that sound?

Since this Skyline chili dip recipe comes together so quickly, you'll have plenty of time to make some more delicious sides to serve with it. I love serving this Cincinnati chili cheese dip alongside these pigs in a blanket, and cream cheese stuffed jalapenos. They are two more of my favorite game day recipes and will make for the ultimate appetizer spread!

 Ingredients For Skyline Chili Dip

As I mentioned earlier, the ingredient list for this Cincinnati style chili cheese dip is super simple. Honestly, just a quick trip to the store to get some skyline chili, and you're well on your way to making this chili cheese dip!

Anyway, here's what you'll need to make skyline chili dip:

• 6oz. cream cheese
• 6oz. Cincinnati style chili
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Pretty simple stuff, right?

Oh, and if you have all of these ingredients, then you could easily whip up this chili cheese dip recipe next. It's just as easy to make, and it tastes equally delicious, but it has salsa in it for a different flavor

How To Make Skyline Chili Dip

Now it's time for the fun part - making skyline chili dip!

I can not stress enough just how easy it is to make this chili dip. After all, how can you beat a recipe that only needs 3 ingredients and comes together in a few simple steps?

Anyway, let's stop wasting time and make some chili cheese dip!

Step 1: Prep Work

First things first preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Then, you can pour the Cincinnati style chili into a microwave-safe bowl and heat it up for about 30 seconds, just enough to make it a bit runnier.

Next, you can take out a large bowl and combine the heated chili with 2 tablespoons of cream cheese and mix it up with a fork or spatula to combine.

Step 2: Assemble The Chili Dip

Once the cream cheese and Cincinnati chili mix is good to go, you can take out a baking dish or bowl and evenly spread the remaining cream cheese on the bottom of it. Then you can follow that up by spreading all of the chili mix on top of the cream cheese.

Step 3: Bake And Serve The Chili Dip

Now that the dip is prepared, you can put it in the oven to bake it in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.

After the 10 minutes is up, you'll want to remove the chili dip from the oven and top it with the shredded cheddar cheese. Then put it back in the oven and bake the dip for another 6-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Last but not least, serve your skyline dip warm with your favorite chips like tortilla chips or crackers.

Enjoy!

Recipe Variations To Try

One of the best things about this Skyline chili dip recipe is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few variations to keep it fresh and flavorful every time you make it:

• Switch up the cheese. Cheddar cheese is classic, but you can use pepper jack for extra spice, mozzarella for a gooey melt, or even a blend of cheeses for more depth. Combining sharp cheddar with pepper jack is one of my favorite ways to add a little heat while keeping that cheesy richness.
• Swap the cream cheese. If you don't have cream cheese on hand, you can replace it with sour cream or Greek yogurt. The texture will be a bit looser and tangier, but it still balances perfectly with the savory chili and melted cheese.
• Add mix-ins for flavor. For a spicy, savory twist, stir in minced onion, jalapeños, or green chiles before baking. You can also drizzle hot sauce on top or sprinkle with sliced green onions for extra flavor and presentation.

How To Store Skyline Chili Dip

This recipe for skyline chili dip makes about 4 servings, which should be just enough for a large party or get-together if you have some other appetizers out. However, you can easily double or triple this recipe if you think you'll need more!

Then if you have any leftovers, you can store the leftover canned chili dip in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for about 3-4 days. If you want your chili dip to last longer, you can freeze chili cheese dip in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 6 months.

How To Reheat Skyline Dip

Whenever you're ready to enjoy your skyline chili dip again, it definitely tastes best when it's reheated.

So, to reheat your dip, just put it in a pot - or crock pot - and set the heat to low and let it cook until it's fully warmed through and the cheese has melted again.

Alternatively, to heat the dip even quicker, you can pop it in the microwave. Just warm it up in 30-second intervals until it's fully reheated.

Skyline Dip Recipe FAQS

What is Skyline Chili Dip made of?

Skyline chili dip is a layered appetizer that combines cream cheese, Skyline Cincinnati-style chili, and shredded cheddar cheese. Some versions add extra toppings like diced onions, jalapeños, or hot sauce, but the classic three-ingredient combo is what makes it so iconic.

Can I make Skyline Chili Dip ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the dip up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When you're ready to serve, bake until hot and bubbly. This makes it a great make-ahead appetizer for parties, tailgates, or game day gatherings.

Can I use homemade Cincinnati chili instead of Skyline?

Definitely. While this recipe is a shortcut using canned Skyline chili, you can make it with your own homemade Cincinnati chili for a fresher flavor. Just be sure the chili has cooled slightly before layering it over the cream cheese.

What do you serve with Skyline Chili Dip?

The dip pairs perfectly with tortilla chips, pita chips, Fritos, or buttery crackers. For a low-carb option, try serving it with celery sticks or bell pepper slices. It’s hearty enough to stand alone as a dip, but it also works as a fun topping for baked potatoes or even hot dogs.

Wrapping It Up

Well, that's how to make skyline chili dip! I know I'm a bit biased, but I really do think this is one of the best dip recipes you can make. There's just something about Cincinnati chili, and when you serve it up in a warm, thick, cheesy dip, the results are absolutely delicious.

At least this dip is always a crowd pleaser whenever I serve it, and I have a feeling everyone you make it for will love it too.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this skyline Cincinnati chili dip recipe as much as I do. As always, if you give this recipe a try, be sure to leave a comment below and let us know how it went!

More Appetizer Recipes

If you're in need of more easy appetizer recipes - just like this skyline chili dip - then we have a ton on the blog you can try next!

Here are some of our favorites:

• Cheese ball
• Armadillo eggs
• Bisquick sausage balls
• Cream cheese rangoon
• Cream cheese stuffed peppers

Oh, and make sure to check us out on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram! We post new recipes on them every day.