Cincinnati Skyline Chili Dip Recipe
There are all types of regional chili variations in the U.S., but if you're anywhere near Cincinnati, OH, then you know it's all about Skyline Chili. While Skyline Chili refers to the specific restaurant chain of the same name, one very popular in Ohio, it's also somewhat ubiquitously used to describe the specific variant of chili itself. We have Greek immigrant Nicholas Lambrinides to thank for opening Skyline Chili and creating the beloved chili, which is notably different than other types of chili, boasting a distinct Mediterranean influence. I love the less-chunky, saucier consistency of Cincinnati chili, as well as the unique addition of sweet baking spices. The combination of cinnamon, allspice, and cloves contrasts the savory elements of the chili, giving it a touch of sweetness and warmth (you see this combination in Greek dishes like moussaka). And of course, chocolate is another key ingredient to making Cincinnati chili what it is, and the chocolate addition is a bit of a genius move. The dark chocolate bitterness works as an enhancement for those above-mentioned spices as well as the classic chili seasonings of cumin and chili powder.
While you might find Cincinnati chili piled atop a coney dog or on a plate of spaghetti at a Skyline Chili location, I took all of that rich, savory-sweet goodness and transformed it into a dip instead. This Cincinnati Skyline Chili dip recipe captures all the key elements of the beloved chili, but in a perfectly scoopable, cheesy, potluck-approved appetizer form. I'm a sucker for super-cheesy dips, and this one is especially delicious thanks to the spiced, subtly sweet chili layer, which pairs effortlessly with a jalapeño cream cheese layer underneath and, true to form, a hefty mound of grated cheddar on top.
Gather the ingredients for Cincinnati Skyline Chili dip
You'll start this recipe by making a homemade batch of Cincinnati chili, for which you'll need olive oil, minced white onion, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, cinnamon, allspice, ground cloves, ground beef, unsweetened baking chocolate, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. It's worth noting that Skyline Chili sells a canned version of its iconic chili, so if you'd prefer to skip the whole homemade process, then you can go with that instead. It'll be easiest to find if you live near Cincinnati, but otherwise, buying a can or two online may be your best bet.
For the cream cheese layer of the dip, you'll just need softened cream cheese, minced jalapeño, dried minced garlic, and dried minced onion. A whole lot of grated cheddar cheese serves as the final garnish, though you may also wish to top off the dish with extra minced onion and jalapeño. It's dealer's choice when it comes to what to serve the dip with, but I recommend chips like Fritos.
Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a pot
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Saute the onion and garlic
Once hot, add 1 cup of minced onion and the garlic to the pot, stir to combine, and saute for 2 minutes.
Step 3: Add the spices
Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves to the pot.
Step 4: Stir the spices into the onion and garlic
Stir to combine the seasonings with the veggies and saute for 1 minute more.
Step 5: Add the ground beef
Add the ground beef to the pot.
Step 6: Cook the beef
Stir to combine and cook for 5 minutes or until the meat is cooked through.
Step 7: Add the chocolate, tomato paste, and liquids
Add the chocolate, tomato paste, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and broth to the pot.
Step 8: Stir and simmer the chili mixture
Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
Step 9: Cook the chili for 30 minutes
Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
Step 10: Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 400 F.
Step 11: Add the cream cheese ingredients to a bowl
Place the softened cream cheese, ½ of the jalapeños, dried garlic, and dried onion in a large bowl.
Step 12: Stir to combine the cream cheese mixture
Stir until blended and combined.
Step 13: Spread the cream cheese layer in casserole dish
Transfer the cream cheese to a casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
Step 14: Top the cream cheese with chili
Top the cream cheese layer with chili, spreading it out evenly.
Step 15: Top the chili with cheddar cheese
Sprinkle the chili with the grated cheddar cheese.
Step 16: Bake the chili dip
Place the casserole dish in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until it's melted and bubbly.
Step 17: Garnish and serve the Cincinnati Skyline Chili dip
Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of onion and the reserved jalapeño before serving. Serve with chips on the side for dipping.
What can I serve with Cincinatti chili dip?
Cincinnati Skyline Chili Dip Recipe
Level up your game day game with our savory, cheesy Cincinnati Skyline chili dip, which features a bright spicy jalapeño cream cheese and scratch-made chili.
Ingredients
- For the chili
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons minced white onion
- 1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 ounce unsweetened baking chocolate
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cups beef broth
- For the cream cheese
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 jalapeño, minced, divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried minced garlic
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried minced onion
- For topping
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Optional Ingredients
- Chips, for dipping
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Once hot, add 1 cup of minced onion and the garlic to the pot, stir to combine, and saute for 2 minutes.
- Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves to the pot.
- Stir to combine the seasonings with the veggies and saute for 1 minute more.
- Add the ground beef to the pot.
- Stir to combine and cook for 5 minutes or until the meat is cooked through.
- Add the chocolate, tomato paste, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and broth to the pot.
- Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
- Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400 F.
- Place the softened cream cheese, ½ of the jalapeños, dried garlic, and dried onion in a large bowl.
- Stir until blended and combined.
- Transfer the cream cheese to a casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
- Top the cream cheese layer with chili, spreading it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the chili with the grated cheddar cheese.
- Place the casserole dish in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until it’s melted and bubbly.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of onion and the reserved jalapeño before serving. Serve with chips on the side for dipping.
How can I switch up this Skyline Chili dip recipe?
Considering that there are quite a few spices at play in the chili, you may be wondering how spicy this dip ends up being. The chili itself is quite mild, with the various spices adding more warmth than heat, but the cream cheese layer does pack a slight spicy kick and a nice little verdant crispness thanks to the jalapeño. I'd say this dip falls at about the medium on the spice scale, and I do love that peppery freshness that the jalapeño provides. If you aren't a fan of any heat at all, I recommend swapping out the jalapeño for a milder green pepper, like a bell or poblano.
There's also plenty of room to switch up the cheese. Shredded cheddar cheese is a classic topper for Skyline Chili spaghetti, but Monterey Jack, mozzarella, pepper Jack, American, or even Oaxaca cheese would all be delicious here. Finally, we already touched on the fact that you could use canned Skyline Chili if desired, but you can also switch out the meat in the homemade chili. Ground turkey or chicken would work well for a slightly leaner profile, though something like ground chorizo or spicy ground sausage would be very tasty, too.
What are some other ways to enjoy Skyline Chili or the cream cheese from this dip recipe?
If you want to enjoy Skyline Chili like a true Cincinnatian, I highly recommend piling it onto a plate of plain spaghetti noodles. As we've touched on, lots of cheddar cheese — we're talking a piled-high mound — is also pretty classic to Skyline Chili spaghetti, should you want to go for what the restaurant itself calls a 3-way. Take things a step further by adding diced onions or kidney beans on top, which would make it a 4-way, or opt for both onions and beans and make it a Skyline Chili-approved 5-way. I also recommend oyster crackers, which are a classic accompaniment for chili spaghetti. Another classic way to enjoy this chili would be to add it to a hot dog, and again, you can't go wrong by topping it off with plenty of cheddar cheese.
The cream cheese layer is incredibly simple yet oh-so-delicious, and it's really something else on a bagel. That kick of jalapeño, along with dried onion and garlic, goes a long way in enhancing the bready breakfast favorite, though you can pair it with any type of bread that might benefit from a good schmear. Another handy hack to consider is adding a dollop of the cream cheese mixture to pasta sauce for a slightly spicy, creamy finish.