Creamy Hatch Green Chili Queso Dip
A silky, spicy queso dip featuring smoky roasted Hatch green chilies and cream cheese, perfect for parties and casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 7 oz (200 g) roasted and diced Hatch green chilies
- 1 cup (115 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (115 g) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk (whole milk preferred)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Soften the cream cheese by leaving it at room temperature for about 10 minutes or microwave in 15-second bursts without melting completely.
- Grate the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses if not pre-shredded.
- Heat a medium-sized saucepan or skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add the softened cream cheese and stir gently until it starts to melt, about 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually pour in ½ cup of milk, stirring constantly to keep the mixture smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the roasted Hatch green chilies and let their smoky flavor infuse for about 2 minutes.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin; stir well to blend the spices.
- Slowly add shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses in batches, stirring constantly to melt without clumps, about 5 minutes.
- Season with salt to taste, adjusting carefully as cheese can be salty.
- Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, garnish with fresh cilantro if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
Use low heat and stir constantly to prevent the cheese from becoming grainy. If the dip is too thick, add milk a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and milk with vegan alternatives. To keep warm at parties, use a slow cooker or warming tray.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About ¼ cup per serv
- Calories: 190
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 8
Keywords: queso dip, Hatch green chili, creamy dip, party snack, cheese dip, easy appetizer, Southwestern recipe