Here are some mouth-watering chili appetizer ideas that will elevate your meal! Chili is a staple during the fall and winter months, but it can be challenging to find suitable pairings. Fortunately, there are numerous options available, including unexpected combinations like guacamole and potato skins.
Hormel Chili Dip
Making a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer is a must for any gathering or party. One of my go-to options is Hormel chili dip, which I frequently prepare due to its simplicity and minimal ingredients required. It’s made with just three essential components: Hormel chili (bean-free), shredded cheddar cheese, and cream cheese – all of which can be combined in a mere 5 minutes! Furthermore, the only appliance needed for preparation is a microwave, making it an incredibly convenient option.
The end result is a rich, creamy, and indulgent dip that’s sure to delight even the most discerning palates.
Quesadillas
You’ll often find that the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of quesadillas is a filling of cheese, some kind of meat, and perhaps a few peppers and onions. However, after trying this recipe, your perspective may shift towards chili! This isn’t because you’d be making quesadillas with chili as an ingredient – although that’s definitely an option – but rather because these quesadillas make for an incredible chili accompaniment.
Whether you choose to fill them with beef, chicken, or a vegetarian option, they pair surprisingly well with a warm, comforting bowl of chili. Typically, I serve these as appetizers before the main course, and it’s not uncommon for people to combine their quesadilla with a serving of chili, much to my delight! Either way, they’re sure to be cheesy, spicy, and utterly delicious.
Chipotle Guacamole
Keeping in mind the perfect combination of flavors for an appetizer, guacamole is often overlooked when it comes to pairing with chili. However, its clean and refreshing taste surprisingly complements the rich spiciness of chili perfectly. Knowing that serving a quality side dish can elevate the overall dining experience, many people opt for Chipotle’s version of guacamole. In my opinion, their recipe stands out from others due to its smooth, thick texture and abundance of flavor.
What’s more, making this delicious dip is relatively simple, requiring only six key ingredients: ripe avocados, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, thinly sliced red onion, diced jalapeno peppers, and a pinch of salt. With these few ingredients, you can create an authentic taste experience that pairs well with chili.
Cheesy Bacon-Stuffed Mini-Peppers
Often overlooked as an accompaniment to spicy dishes like chili, stuffed mini-peppers are a surprisingly perfect match. By pairing a hearty appetizer with something equally filling and flavorful, you can elevate the overall dining experience. To start making these delicious peppers, begin by taking a dozen mini-sweet peppers and carefully stuffing each one with a mixture of cream cheese, green onions, crispy bacon, garlic powder, shredded cheddar cheese, and Worcestershire sauce.
Once they emerge from the oven after baking, remove them and top them off with even more melted cheese. Although some recipes call for chopped cilantro to be sprinkled on top, I find that skipping this addition and adding extra diced green onions instead gives me an even greater flavor boost. The best part about these stuffed peppers? The entire preparation process takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
As a result, you’ll end up with a dozen gooey, cheesy, bacon-filled mini-peppers to enjoy alongside your chili. Just be sure not to overindulge in these savory treats, or you might not have any room left for the main event.
Crispy Oven-Baked Potato Skins
You can’t go wrong with oven-baked potato skins as an appetizer for chili – they’re the ultimate complement to any meal. Their crispy exterior and fluffy interior, infused with rich buttery flavor and melted cheese, make them irresistibly delicious. Adding a sprinkle of chives, some crunchy bacon bits, and other tasty toppings takes them to a whole new level of yumminess.
While loaded baked potatoes are certainly satisfying, they can’t hold a candle to the sheer indulgence of these crispy, cheesy spuds.
Mexican Cornbread
Just like traditional cornbread, Mexican cornbread has a dense and crumbly texture, but it takes on a whole new level of flavor with the addition of a Mexican cheese blend, chiles, jalapenos, and a can of cream corn. This combination gives the bread a rich, cheesy taste with just the right amount of heat, making it an excellent accompaniment to chili whether served as an appetizer or side dish.
The sweetness from the cream corn is especially noticeable when crumbled into chili, adding a delightful contrast of flavors.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Zest up your mealtime with this unique twist on traditional side dishes! While some folks prefer to add corn directly to their chili for an instant flavor boost, others relish the idea of savoring a sweet and spicy corn salad as a precursor to their piping hot bowl of chili. For those who fall into the latter category, this recipe is a game-changer.
It captures the essence of Mexican street corn – with its perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors – but presents it in a refreshing, chunky, chilled format that’s simply irresistible, especially when served alongside a hearty, spicy chili.
Nachos
Often overlooked as an appetizer option, nachos can pair perfectly with chili, particularly when serving a lighter version of the dish as the main course. Omitting other options that might be too filling, nachos offer a delicious way to get your guests in the mood for chili without feeling weighed down.
Oddly enough, the combination of ground beef, beans, onions, and cheddar cheese on top of tortilla chips has a familiar flavor profile reminiscent of chili itself, making it an ideal appetizer choice. One of the best things about nachos is that you can customize them to suit your taste preferences. Whether you like a light drizzle of toppings or go all out with a heaping helping, the versatility of nachos is truly unmatched.
Taco Cups
When it comes to Mexican food and chili, there’s just something special about them coming together in perfect harmony. The combination of flavors and textures is unbeatable, and that’s exactly what makes these taco cups so irresistible. Each bite-sized cup is packed with a flavorful mix of seasoned ground beef, crispy wonton wrappers, and your choice of toppings. I like to keep things simple with a sprinkle of cheese, some diced tomatoes, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of green onions.
Serve them alongside a warm bowl of chili, and you’ll be the star of the show. Your guests will thank you for these delightful little treats that add a burst of flavor and fun to any meal.
