Chilaquiles are tortilla pieces that are lightly fried and cooked in red or green salsa
and sprinkled with cheese. They are often served for breakfast with eggs and a side of beans or nopalitos with other fruits like avocado.this recipe can made it with two traditional Mexican versions one with the salsa verde, and one with a red chile sauce made with dried ancho chiles. Recipes for both follow the instructions.
THE BEST CHILAQUILES RECIPE
Chilaquiles are eaten daily in many Mexican homes and now you can enjoy them whenever your heart (and belly) desire! You will love this Chilaquiles recipe because:
- The SAUCE! Chilaquiles are only as good as the sauce the chips are bathed in, so whether you prefer Chilaquiles Verdes or Chilaquiles Rojos, I have you covered with the best homemade sauces!
- BAKED TORTILLA CHIPS. Many Chilaquiles recipes fry the tortillas but baked tortilla chips emerge every bit as delicious without all of the mess or extra calories!
- PANTRY FRIENDLY. Chilaquiles, particularly Chilaquiles Rojos use inexpensive, widely available pantry friendly ingredients, so you can make this Mexican favorite any day of the week.
- DELICIOUS USE OF LEFTOVERS. Chilaquiles are a delicious use of leftover proteins! Didn’t use all your chicken in enchiladas? Have leftover carnitas from tacos? Add them to Chilaquiles!
- PREP AHEAD. You can prep the chips and sauce and toppings ahead of time, so all you have to do is add chips to simmering sauce, top with cheese and bake for 5 minutes -HOW EASY IS THAT?!
- GREAT FOR ENTERTAINING. To that end, this Chilaquiles recipe is fabulous for entertaining because all the major components (chips, sauce, toppings) can be made or prepped in advance. They are also super fun to dish up then let guests “build their own Chilaquiles” with a simple or elaborate toppings bar.
- VERSATILE. The beauty of this Chilaquiles recipe is it is completely customizable. You can choose to make Chilaquiles Verdes or Chilaquiles Rojos, whether or not to add protein, which protein, whether or not to add eggs, how to cook the eggs, and finally what to top them with – the options are endless! Because they are so versatile, they are a choose your own adventure every time!
- BREAKFAST, LUNCH OR DINNER! Chilaquiles not only boast versatile ingredients, but the are versatile on when they are served! They check so many boxes that they can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner – and will be a winner every time – any time.
DELICIOUS CHILAQUILES (VERDES OR ROJOS) !!
Chilaquiles are corn tortilla chips simmered and softened in salsa verde (Chilaquiles Verdes) or enchilada sauce (Chilaquiles Rojos), topped with cheese then served with eggs, beans, cilantro, radishes, guacamole and/or sour cream
Ingrédients
SALSA VERDE INGREDIENTS :
- 1 1/2 lbs. tomatillos husked, rinsed and dried
- 1-2 serrano chiles or 1-4 jalapeno peppers see notes on spice level
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped into 8 sections
- 3 garlic cloves peeled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup packed cilantro
- 1 1/2-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
RED ENCHILADA SAUCE INGREDIENTS :
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons chili powder NOT cayenne pepper-see notes
- 1 tsp each ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp each smoked paprika, salt, dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for spicier
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or other neutral oil
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 3 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- a pinch of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
CHILAQUILES (VERDES OR ROJOS) INGREDIENTS :
- 12 6-inch corn tortillas, stale, or left out 24-48 hours cut into 6 wedges each
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt divided
- 2 cups Homemade Salsa Verde OR 2 cup red enchilada sauce follow instructions to know how we made it (the red and the green)
- 4 eggs optional
- 1 15 oz. can black beans rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese optional you can use also shredered cheese
- 1/2 cup queso fresco Mexican cheese made from raw cow milk or a combination of cow and goat milk.
TOPPINGS FOR CHILAQUILES RECIPE :
- 4 teaspoons sour cream
- chopped cilantro
- very thinly sliced radishes
- chopped red or green onions it's the same
- pickled red onions optional
- sliced avocados
- 2 teapoons guacamole
- pickled jalapenos optional
- hot sauce
Instructions
SALSA VERDE INSTRUCTIONS :
- 1-Preheat the broiler to high with a rack about 6 inches below the heat source. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.2-Cut the tomatillos in half and add to baking sheet along with onions, garlic and peppers. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss to coat. Place the tomatillos cut side down. Broil for 5-7 minutes or until the tomatillos are charred in some spots, flipping the peppers and garlic over half way through. Remove peppers or tomatillos if they become too charred before the rest of the pan is done. Alternatively, you can char your veggies on a grill for additional smokiness.3-Once cool enough to handle, chop stem(s) off peppers and remove seeds (save seeds separately but don’t add to blender). Add seeded peppers to blender along with all of the sheet pan contents including any remaining juices. Add cilantro, lime juice, cumin, salt and coriander.4-Pulse or puree until salsa reaches desired consistency, scraping down the sides as needed. Taste and stir in seeds, a little at a time, for a hotter salsa. Season to taste with additional lime juice and salt if desired.5-Chill salsa in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Salsa will thicken in the refrigerator. For a thinner salsa, stir in additional water to reach desired consistency.6-Store salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.
RED ENCHILADA SAUCE INSTRUCTIONS :
- 1-Whisk the flour and all seasoning together in a small bowl (through oregano or optional cayenne pepper); set aside.2-Melt the butter in the vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour mixture and cook while whisking for 2 minutes. Whisk in the tomato paste until completely combined and continue to cook for 1 minute.3-Reduce the heat to low, then gradually whisk in the chicken broth. Continue to whisk until smooth and the lumps are dissolved. Whisk in cocoa powder, sugar and cinnamon.4-Bring the sauce to a simmer and continue to simmer, whisking often, until it thickens to your desired consistency, about 5-7 minutes. Keep in mind the sauce will thicken a little as it cools.5-Remove from heat and stir in apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired with additional salt, cayenne, sugar or vinegar. If the sauce thickens too much, simply whisk in additional chicken broth, a little at a time until it reaches desired consistency.
CHIPS INSTRUCTIONS:
- Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions; preheat to 425 degrees F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with foil, parchment paper or nonslip mat.
- Spread tortillas evenly over the two baking sheets. Drizzle each sheet with 2 tablespoons oil and ¼ teaspoon salt; toss until evenly coated, then spread back into an even layer.
- Bake until tortillas are golden brown and crisp, 15-20 minutes, switching sheet positions after 7 minutes of baking. If one sheet is browned before the other, remove it from the oven. Don’t turn off oven.
SAUCE
- While chips are baking, prepare either salsa verde or enchilada sauce according to directions.follow what versions that you like and choose one that you will find in the same article
FRIED EGGS (OPTIONAL)
- 1-Crack 2 eggs into 2 separate small bowls or ramekins. Heat 2 small nonstick skillets over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil to each pan and heat until its hot and shimmering.2-Reduce heat to medium then carefully pour one egg into each skillet.Let the eggs cook, gently tilting the pan occasionally to redistribute the oil. Cook until the edges are crisp, the whites are solid and yolks still soft, about 2-3 minutes. Remove to a plate and repeat with remaining 2 eggs. Do NOT cover with foil or the eggs will steam and cook the yolk.
ASSEMBLE :
- While eggs finish cooking, transfer sauce and beans to a large oven proof skillet (you can use the same cast iron skillet you cooked the enchilada sauce in). Heat over medium-high heat until the sauce is simmering.
- Once the sauce is very hot, reduce heat to low and stir in toasted tortilla chips until evenly coated. Spread tortillas into a somewhat even layer and evenly top with cheeses. (f you’re not adding Monterrey, then hold the queso fresco and you don’t need to bake – simply stir tortillas in the skillet over low heat until they have softened to your likening, 2-5 minutes, then top with queso fresco.**
BAKE :
- Bake at 425 degrees F for 5 minutes or until Monterrey cheese is melted (queso fresco will not melt). Remove Chilaquiles from oven and proceed with toppings or for softer Chilaquiles, cover with foil and let steam for a couple minutes.
- Top skillet with eggs and desired toppings OR scoop servings onto plates and allow individuals to top their own. Serve Chilaquiles immediately as the chips will continue to soften the longer they sit.