Chilaquiles are a delicious Mexican dish, perfect for breakfast, combining crispy tortilla chips with a rich, flavorful salsa. This dish is easy to customize with your favorite toppings, from eggs to cheese and avocado. Whether you prefer a red or green salsa, chilaquiles offer endless possibilities to match your taste.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make simple, flavorful Recipe, share tips, and offer variations to help you make this dish your own.
What Are Chilaquiles?
Chilaquiles are a traditional Mexican breakfast made by simmering crispy tortilla chips in a savory salsa. Often topped with eggs, cheese, and sour cream, they offer a perfect mix of textures and flavors. People commonly enjoy them with either red or green salsa, and you can even add meat or beans for a heartier meal.
Ingredients for Chilaquiles
Here’s what you’ll need to prepare the basic chilaquiles:
- 12 corn tortillas (stale or dried for better crispiness)
- Corn oil (for frying)
- 1 ½ to 2 cups salsa (red or green)
- Optional toppings:
- Fried or scrambled eggs
- Shredded chicken, pork, or beef
- Cotija cheese or queso fresco
- Avocado, cilantro, and sour cream
A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
How to Make Chilaquiles
- Fry the Tortillas
Cut the tortillas into wedges or triangles. Heat corn oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, fry the tortilla pieces until crispy. Remove them and place them on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.
- Prepare the Salsa:
You can use store-bought salsa, but making your own brings a fresh taste. For a red salsa, use dried ancho or guajillo chilies, or opt for tomatillos and jalapeños for a green salsa.
- Combine Tortillas and Salsa:
In the same pan, add the salsa and bring it to a simmer. Stir in the fried tortilla chips and coat them gently with the sauce. Let them cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the chips to absorb the salsa while maintaining a slight crunch.
- Add Toppings and Serve:
Once the tortillas are coated with the salsa, remove the pan from the heat. Serve your chilaquiles with your choice of toppings: fried eggs, shredded chicken, cheese, avocado, and sour cream.
Chilaquiles Variations
- Chilaquiles Verdes: This version features a tangy green salsa made from tomatillos and jalapeños, adding a fresh, citrusy flavor.
- Chilaquiles Rojos: Made with a rich red salsa, they have a smoky, slightly spicy flavor from dried chilies like ancho or guajillo.
- Chilaquiles with Chicken: Shredded chicken adds protein to the dish. You can use rotisserie chicken or cook it fresh for a hearty meal.
- Chilaquiles with Eggs: For a classic breakfast, top your dish with fried or scrambled eggs.
Equipment
- 🍳 Large skillet
- 🔪 Sharp knife
- 🥄 Measuring spoons
- 🥣 Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- For Salsa:
- 🍅 4 large tomatoes for red salsa
- 🫑 4 poblano peppers for green salsa
- 🧅 1 white onion
- 🧄 3 garlic cloves
- 🌶️ 2-3 jalapeños
- 🧂 Salt to taste
- For Chilaquiles:
- 🌽 12 corn tortillas cut into triangles
- 🛢️ Vegetable oil for frying
- 🥚 4-8 eggs
- 🧀 1 cup queso fresco
- 🌿 Fresh cilantro
- 🧅 Diced white onion
- Optional Toppings:
- 🥑 Sliced avocado
- 🥛 Mexican crema
- 🌶️ Extra hot sauce
Instructions
- Prepare salsa:
- – Roast tomatoes/peppers
- – Blend with onion, garlic, jalapeños
- – Season with salt
- Fry tortilla chips:
- – Cut tortillas into triangles
- – Fry until crispy and golden
- – Drain on paper towels
- Combine:
- – Heat salsa in large skillet
- – Add tortilla chips
- – Simmer until chips soften slightly
- Finish:
- – Fry eggs
- – Top chilaquiles with eggs
- – Garnish with cheese, cilantro, onion
Notes
🌟 Don’t overcook chips in salsa
🌟 Adjust spice level to taste Storage Tips:
❄️ Refrigerate: 2-3 days
❌ Not ideal for freezing
✅ Best served immediately Pro Tips:
🔑 Homemade salsa is key
🔑 Keep chips slightly crisp
🔑 Use fresh ingredients Variations:
🥩 Add shredded chicken
🌶️ Different salsa styles
🧀 Experiment with cheese types Common Questions:
❓ Red or green salsa?
❓ Can prep components ahead
❓ Best served fresh Perfect For:
🌅 Weekend breakfast
🍽️ Brunch
👨👩👧 Family meals
🇲🇽 Mexican food lovers
Nutrition
People Also Ask: FAQs About Chilaquiles
Corn tortillas are ideal for making the recipe. They provide the authentic flavor and texture. If your tortillas are fresh, let them sit out for a few hours or dry them slightly before frying.
Yes, you can prepare the salsa and fry the tortillas in advance. When you’re ready to serve, heat the salsa and mix it with the tortillas. This makes it a quick and easy meal.
Yes, you can bake the tortillas for a healthier option. Though they won’t be as crispy as fried tortillas, they will still soak up the salsa nicely.
The spice level depends on the salsa you use. For a milder version, choose a green salsa with fewer chilies. To add more heat, include extra chilies in your red salsa or use spicy peppers like serranos.
Definitely! Add shredded chicken, pulled pork, or even beans for a vegetarian version. You can also include eggs for a complete, satisfying meal.
Conclusion
Chilaquiles are a tasty and customizable dish that you can make your own. Whether you stick to the classic salsa and egg combination or get creative with toppings like chicken and avocado, this dish never disappoints. Try it out today and discover why it’s a favorite in Mexican kitchens.
If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t miss our other Mexican dishes.