Introduction

Skillet Frito Chili Pie is a comforting, hearty dish that combines savory chili flavors with a creamy cheese topping and crunchy corn chips. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this recipe comes together in one pan for easy preparation and cleanup.

The dish is served in a black skillet filled with a base layer of cooked ground meat that is dark brown and crumbly, covering the bottom evenly. On top, there are several cooked eggs with white edges and rich yellow yolks, some slightly melted with orange-yellow melted cheese blending around them. The surface is generously covered with crispy, pale yellow corn chip strips scattered unevenly all over. Small green chopped scallions are sprinkled across the dish, adding a fresh splash of color. The skillet rests on a white marbled surface with a wooden spoon and a blue-and-white cloth nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons ranch dressing mix (from 1-oz package)
1 lb ground extra lean beef
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained & rinsed
1 can (14.5 oz) fire roasted diced or crushed tomatoes, undrained
2 cans (4.5 oz each) diced green chiles
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 cups Fritos corn chips
3 tablespoons sliced green onions (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, stir together the cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing mix until completely combined. Set aside.
Step 2: In a 12-inch skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
Step 3: Stir in the kidney beans, fire roasted tomatoes (with their juice), diced green chiles, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Bring the mixture to a light boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes until it thickens slightly. Lower the heat to medium-low.
Step 4: Drop rounded tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the meat mixture. Sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese on top. Cover the skillet and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the cream cheese pockets are heated through.
Step 5: Remove from heat, top with Fritos and sliced green onions if using, then serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, add a dash of hot sauce or use jalapeño peppers instead of green chiles.
Swap ground extra lean beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Use sharp or smoked Cheddar cheese to enhance the flavor.
Serve with a side of guacamole or sour cream to add creaminess and balance the spice.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in a microwave until warmed through. Add fresh Fritos just before serving to retain their crunch.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a layered dish shows melted yellow cheddar cheese covering a base of cooked ground beef mixed with dark red kidney beans. On top, there is a layer of crunchy light yellow corn chips, broken into pieces. Small bits of sharp green chopped scallions are sprinkled throughout the layers. A spoon lifts a portion that shows the mix of creamy melted cheese, rich beef and beans, crispy corn chips, and fresh scallions. The background is bright and the meal sits on a white marbled texture surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, you can substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or add extra beans and vegetables like bell peppers and corn for a vegetarian version.

What can I use instead of Fritos?

If you don’t have Fritos, use tortilla chips or crushed corn chips as a crunchy topping alternative.

Skillet Frito Chili Pie Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 85 reviews

This Skillet Frito Chili Pie is a comforting and hearty one-pan dish featuring a flavorful blend of lean ground beef, kidney beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and diced green chiles simmered with classic chili spices. Cream cheese and sour cream mixed with ranch dressing add a creamy tang, while shredded Cheddar cheese melts on top for richness. Finished with crunchy Fritos corn chips and optional green onions, this easy-to-make skillet meal delivers layers of texture and flavor, perfect for a satisfying family dinner.

Author: Kai
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cream Cheese Mixture

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons ranch dressing mix (from 1-oz package)

Chili Base

1 lb ground extra lean beef
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained & rinsed
1 can (14.5 oz) fire roasted diced or crushed tomatoes, undrained
2 can (4.5 oz each) diced green chiles
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt

Toppings

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 cups Fritos corn chips
3 tablespoons sliced green onions (optional)

Instructions

Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, thoroughly stir together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing mix until completely combined and smooth. Set aside this creamy topping for later use.
Cook Ground Beef and Onions: Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground extra lean beef and chopped onion, cooking for 6 to 8 minutes or until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the dish lean.
Add Chili Ingredients: To the cooked beef and onion, stir in the drained red kidney beans, undrained fire roasted tomatoes, diced green chiles, chili powder, ground cumin, and salt. Bring the mixture to a light boil over medium-high heat.
Simmer Chili: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chili mixture slightly thickens and the flavors meld together.
Add Cream Cheese Mixture and Cheese: Lower the heat to medium-low. Drop rounded tablespoons of the prepared cream cheese mixture evenly over the surface of the meat mixture. Sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese on top. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese has fully melted and the pockets of cream cheese are heated through.
Finish With Toppings and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle 2 cups of Fritos corn chips evenly over the melted cheese layer. Optionally, garnish with sliced green onions to add freshness and a mild onion flavor. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the delightful combination of creamy, cheesy chili and crunchy chips.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add extra diced green chiles or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Using extra lean ground beef reduces grease, but you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
Keep the cream cheese mixture at room temperature for easier spreading and melting.
If you prefer a thicker chili, simmer a few minutes longer before adding the cheese toppings.
Serve with a side of fresh salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
This dish is best enjoyed immediately after cooking, as Fritos can soften if left too long.

Keywords: skillet chili pie, frito chili pie, easy chili recipe, one-pan dinner, creamy chili, weeknight meal