Smooth cream cheese is topped with insanely flavorful Cincinnati-style chili and cheese, then baked until bubbly!
You guys. This is a recipe I’ve been dying to share with you all, for almost a year! I actually mentioned it when I made my Copycat Skyline Chili post back in 2017, and seriously had EVERY intention of making this and sharing it here on the blog within a month or so. But life got in the way, and new recipes popped in my head to share, and before long, it was forgotten.
Some of you have actually been emailing me asking where the dip recipe was, and OMG thank you for doing that! It reminded me that this was post that seriously needed to be shared. Like, pronto.
Honestly, it’s not much to look at. Maybe a 3 on the scale of 1-10… but it’s got a great personality, I swear! 😉
WHAT IS SKYLINE DIP?
Here in the Midwest, in Ohio specifically, we LOVE our Cincinnati-style chili! I go into all things Cincinnati-style in my recipe post for the copycat chili. We love our chili in so many different ways, but one of my favorite ways is in this chili cheese dip. Skyline dip is 3 basic ingredients… cream cheese, Cincinnati-style chili, and cheese. Easy, peasy!
CAN YOU ADD OTHER TOPPINGS?
Absolutely! Even though the classic is just 3 ingredients, but if you want to add some pizzaz, go for it!
Here are a few of my favorite add-ins:
- Minced onion
- Diced jalapenos (canned or fresh)
- Diced green chiles
- Different cheeses
CAN YOU FREEZE CHILI CHEESE DIP?
I wouldn’t recommend it, as it’s base is cream cheese and it’s topped with shredded cheese… but the good news is, this dip comes together in about 5 minutes!
CAN YOU MAKE SKYLINE DIP IN THE CROCKPOT?
You sure can! It’s a little looser in consistency when it’s made in the slow cooker versus baked, but still delicious, and it stays nice and warm for a party. Just add the cream cheese to the bottom of the crockpot, top it with the Skyline chili, then cover and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours. Top with the shredded cheese, cover and cook on LOW about 10 minutes, until cheese is melted.
I love this Skyline dip for game day, holiday parties, office potlucks, etc. It’s always a crowd pleaser!
HELPFUL TOOLS:
- Skyline Chili – in case you don’t want to make the homemade version, this is the store-bought variety.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese , softened
- 8-12 oz Cincinnati-style chili , warmed slightly
- 1 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F degrees. Spread cream cheese in an 8 or 9" pan, like a pie pan, in an even layer.
- Top with chili and bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven and top with cheese. Bake 5-8 minutes, until melted.
- Let stand for 5 minutes or so, then serve with tortilla chips or fritos.
Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
JUSTIN says
This dip is great! I was introduced to Skyline by a friend while I was in college ~20 years ago, and haven’t had it in ages.
Question about this dip…..what would be the best way to reheat leftovers?
The Chunky Chef says
If you’re in a hurry, the microwave will work just fine. If you have a bit of time, I like to reheat mine in the oven at 350 for 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly 🙂
Jami says
This website has too many ads and pop up’s that it was hard to follow and find the recipe.
The Chunky Chef says
Unfortunately, the ads are necessary so I can continue to provide these recipes for free. I do provide a handy “jump to recipe” button that takes you right to it.
Deborah says
Made your Cincinnati style chili cheese dip and it was delicious and very easy to make. I’m a sixty something year old grandma and I am very impressed with quite a few of your recipes and I like your style especially a comment you made to a reader who complained about having to read before getting to the recipe. Keep up the good work
Audrey Davis says
Delicious!! I had had this before but never made it myself. This recipe was so easy. I added cooked shredded chicken to mine because it needed to be used up & it gave it more texture. It was very good. Thank you for the recipe.
Hugh Jorgan says
I came here for the ads and your commentary. – nobody
Just show the recipe
The Chunky Chef says
Man, woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? I’m guessing you missed the “jump to recipe” button that literally takes you… to the recipe. I could tell you all the reasons why I write my posts the way I do… but I’m also guessing you wouldn’t want to spend any of your precious time to read that. Also, when you try to be all cute and passive aggressive with your email address, you might want to actually spell things correctly 😉 But hey, at least this was free… otherwise, feel free to buy a cookbook or develop your own recipes. Please have a day as wonderful as you are.
Deborah says
Lol, excellent comeback to a grumpy complainer. Lol. You go girl!!!!!
Patrice DuVall says
Thank you for sharing. I use to live in Cincinnati years ago. I had forgotten all about this dish, but we were in an area that had a Skyline restaurant.
I tried it again and the memories came rolling back. So yummy. I bit the bullet, before I found your receipe, and bought 8 cans. Ouch, but I am addicted to it and crave it sometimes.
So, thanks so very much for sharing.
Candace says
Perfect for this ex-Cincy girl!
Walter Theiss says
Been enjoying this for years!
George and Cindy Isaac says
My wife and I lived in Cincinnati for about 12 years…met, dated and got married there. And had Skyline chili regularly (often late at night). Left in 1992 and have only been back a few times since… miss Skyline chili so much that we have planned vacation driving routes through Cincinnati JUST to be able to stop in for a Skyline 5-way!! And this recipe is damn near perfect. Made it for the first time tonight… our only suggestion is to add a bit more sugar and cinnamon, but I’m splitting hairs here. Well done!
Taylor says
Can you throw in all in the crock pot instead of bake it. ?
The Chunky Chef says
I’ve not tested it, but I’m sure that would work just fine.
Randy says
it is good in it’s own way I guess. I’m southern and it’s definitely not southern style chili. I prefer a more tomato/ketchup base for chili. the cinnamon taste was hard for me to get past. that being said I’m glad I tried it. I have wanted to try Cinninati style chili for a while now. I would eat it again but just not make it again.
Abigail says
Looking forward to making this! Approximately how many does this recipe serve?
The Chunky Chef says
Hope you love it as much as we do! Approximately 6 servings, but it all depends on how much of the chili each person uses. For our family of 4 we usually end up with about a cup or so leftover.
Margaret Swindells says
Could we please have the nutrition info?
The Chunky Chef says
I don’t provide full nutritional value information, as I’m not a nutritionist and don’t want to inadvertently pass along incorrect information. My advice would be to copy the ingredient list into whichever online nutritional calculator you usually use.
Jacque Hastert says
This is the perfect fall dip! I see this getting made in the very near future.
Carrie R says
I just love Cincy style chili! What a great idea to make a dip with it. 🙂
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This dip is really fabulous1 A sure hit!
Kimberly says
Oh boy, I know what I’m in the mood for right now – yum!
Dee says
This looks great! I will definitely make it for the next game day!
Demeter says
I know this is going to be the star of my next party! Looks fantastic!
Cheryl Sousan says
I could eat this by the spoonful!!! Thanks for sharing the recipe my family is going to love this!