Can I make chicken queso dip ahead?

Yes. Make it a day ahead and reheat gently with a little milk to loosen it.

Recipes · Dips & Appetizers

Cheesy Chicken Queso Dip

Name: Cheesy Chicken Queso Dip
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: About 8 servings
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked shredded chicken; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 2 cups shredded Mexican or Monterey Jack cheese; 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained; 1/2 cup milk; 1 tablespoon taco seasoning; Chopped cilantro or green onion; Tortilla chips

By Janet
From Janet's Recipe Box · 20 min · one skillet

A skillet of cheesy chicken queso dip with a tortilla chip pulling up a melty scoop — Warm, melty, and gone in minutes. The dip everyone hovers around at the party.

This is the dip I make when I want to be everyone's favorite person at a party. Warm, cheesy queso loaded with shredded chicken and a little kick of green chiles, ready in about twenty minutes and impossible to stop scooping. It is perfect for game day, a cozy night in, or anytime you need a crowd-pleaser that comes together fast. Set out a big bowl of chips and watch it disappear.

Prep

5 min

Cook

15 min

Skillet

One

Serves

A crowd

Honesty note: this is how I roughly throw it together, not a precise science. Queso is very forgiving, so adjust the cheese and heat to your taste and add a splash of milk if it gets too thick.

Ingredients

2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie is perfect)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded cheese (a melty blend like Mexican or Monterey Jack)
1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel), drained
1/2 cup milk (plus more to thin as needed)
1 tbsp taco seasoning (or cumin, chili powder, garlic powder)
Chopped cilantro or green onion, to finish
Tortilla chips, for scooping

How I make it

In a skillet over medium-low heat, add the cream cheese and milk and stir until smooth and melty.
Stir in the shredded cheese a handful at a time, letting it melt in before adding more, so it stays creamy.
Add the shredded chicken, drained tomatoes with green chiles, and taco seasoning. Stir until everything is warm and combined.
If it is thicker than you like, splash in a little more milk until it is scoopable and smooth.
Top with cilantro or green onion and serve warm, right from the skillet, with a big bowl of tortilla chips.

My tip: keep it warm in a small slow cooker on low if you are serving it for a party, and give it a stir now and then. It holds beautifully and stays dippable.

Make it your own

Add a can of drained black beans or corn to bulk it up, stir in pickled jalapenos for more heat, or swap the chicken for browned ground beef or chorizo. It is endlessly customizable. Bringing more than one thing to the party? My cowboy caviar is the fresh, colorful companion to this cheesy dip.

My party-dip staples

The little skillet I make this in, my favorite mini slow cooker for keeping dips warm, and the serving bowls I reach for are all in my Amazon storefront.

Shop my kitchen staples → As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked questions

How do I keep queso dip from getting hard?

Keep it warm on low heat, in a small slow cooker or over a warmer, and stir occasionally. If it thickens up, a splash of milk brings it right back to smooth and dippable.

Can I make it ahead?

Yes. Make it a day ahead and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the slow cooker with a little milk to loosen it.

What do you serve with chicken queso dip?

Tortilla chips are the classic, but it is also great with sliced baguette, pretzel bites, or veggies. It even makes a fun topping for nachos or baked potatoes.

Heads up: some links in this post are affiliate links to my Amazon storefront, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. I only share things I actually use.

Janet

Orlando mom and the creator behind Planet Janet TV. Janet's Recipe Box is my collection of the approachable, slightly elevated meals I actually cook. Come say hi on Instagram.

Cowboy Caviar

The fresh, colorful bean dip that never makes it home from the party.

Read the cowboy caviar recipe →

A cozy crowd-pleaser from Janet's Recipe Box. Amounts are a starting point, adjust to taste.