Chilaquiles are a cornerstone of Mexican cuisine, especially beloved for breakfast or a hearty brunch. For anyone seeking a vibrant and satisfying morning dish, look no further than Mexican Chilaquiles. Moving away from typical pancakes and waffles, this traditional recipe delivers a delightful combination of textures and bold flavors that will awaken your palate. Originating from Mexico’s rich culinary heritage, chilaquiles offer a fantastic way to repurpose tortillas and create a memorable meal.
Serving of chilaquiles with fried eggs, crema, and fresh toppings.
Unveiling Mexican Chilaquiles: A Culinary Staple
Mexican chilaquiles are a classic dish with humble beginnings. Much like migas, they were ingeniously invented as a way to make the most of leftover stale tortillas. The beauty of mexican chilaquiles lies in its simplicity: fried tortilla chips simmered in a flavorful sauce. The most common sauces are salsa verde (green sauce) and salsa roja (red sauce), each offering a unique taste profile.
While often enjoyed with fried eggs for breakfast or brunch, the versatility of mexican chilaquiles shines through in its customizable toppings. Crema (Mexican cream), onions, and cheese are standard additions, and you can easily enrich the dish with beans or proteins like shredded chicken, beef, or pork. This adaptability means mexican chilaquiles can effortlessly transition from a morning delight to a fulfilling lunch or dinner, depending on your chosen accompaniments.
In this recipe, we’ll focus on chilaquiles verdes, showcasing my preferred combination of toppings: fried eggs, creamy avocado, crisp radishes, a hint of jalapeño spice, salty Cotija cheese, and a zesty cilantro lime crema. Feel free to use this as a starting point and tailor the recipe to your personal preferences. The wonderful thing about mexican chilaquiles is that there’s no single “correct” approach – it’s all about creating a dish you love.
Ingredients for making chilaquiles recipe laid out on a wooden surface.
Key Ingredients for Authentic Mexican Chilaquiles Verdes
To craft delicious mexican chilaquiles verdes, you’ll need the following essential ingredients:
- Salsa Verde: The heart of chilaquiles verdes is the salsa. You can opt for a high-quality store-bought green salsa to save time, or elevate the dish with homemade salsa verde using roasted tomatillos, onions, and jalapeños for a more authentic flavor.
- Water or Vegetable Broth: This liquid component thins the salsa, allowing it to evenly and perfectly coat every tortilla chip. Vegetable broth adds a layer of subtle savory depth.
- Thick Tortilla Chips: Traditionally, mexican chilaquiles were made with freshly fried tortilla pieces. However, for convenience, we’re using store-bought tortilla chips. Crucially, choose thick chips. Thin chips will quickly become soggy when saturated with the salsa, compromising the desired texture of your mexican chilaquiles.
- Fried Eggs: Runny fried egg yolks create a luxurious, natural sauce as they mingle with the salsa-soaked chips, adding richness and protein.
- Avocado: Sliced avocado provides a cool, creamy contrast to the tangy salsa and crispy chips, enhancing the overall mouthfeel of the mexican chilaquiles.
- Sliced Radishes: Thinly sliced radishes contribute a refreshing crunch and a slightly peppery note, balancing the richness of the dish.
- Jalapeño: For those who enjoy a touch of heat, thinly sliced jalapeño adds a spicy kick. Omit or reduce if you prefer milder mexican chilaquiles.
- Fresh Cilantro: A generous sprinkle of fresh cilantro leaves brightens the dish with its vibrant, herbaceous flavor.
- Cotija Cheese: This firm, salty Mexican cheese adds a tangy, savory dimension. If Cotija is unavailable, crumbled feta or queso fresco make excellent substitutes.
- Cilantro Lime Crema: A drizzle of creamy, zesty cilantro lime crema is the perfect finishing touch. It complements the tangy salsa and adds another layer of flavor complexity. You can easily prepare this crema by blending Greek yogurt or sour cream with cilantro, lime juice, and seasonings.
- Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance all the flavors in your mexican chilaquiles verdes.
Find the complete recipe with detailed measurements in the recipe card below.
Craving Chilaquiles Rojos?
If you prefer the robust flavor of red salsa, easily transform this recipe into mexican chilaquiles rojos! Simply substitute your favorite red salsa or tomato-based salsa for the salsa verde. Homemade salsa roja adds a particularly authentic touch. Follow the recipe as instructed, enjoying the delicious variation.
Tortilla chips being added to a skillet with simmering salsa verde.
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Mexican Chilaquiles Verdes
Creating mexican chilaquiles at home is surprisingly simple and quick. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
- Prepare the Salsa Verde: If using store-bought salsa, proceed to the next step. For homemade salsa verde, follow a recipe using roasted tomatillos, onions, garlic, and jalapeños, then blend with cilantro, lime juice, and salt. The salsa can be made up to 4 days in advance for convenience.
- Simmer the Salsa: In a large skillet, combine the salsa verde and water or vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the salsa slightly thickens and the flavors meld.
Hand folding crispy tortilla chips into a skillet of salsa verde.
- Add Tortilla Chips: Introduce the thick tortilla chips to the skillet of simmering salsa. Gently fold the chips into the sauce, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Variation: Homemade Tortilla Chips for Extra Crunch
For an even more authentic and textural experience, consider making your own fried tortilla chips. Replace the store-bought chips with homemade tortilla chips for a truly special batch of mexican chilaquiles.
Close-up of chilaquiles verdes being stirred in a skillet, showing the salsa-coated chips.
- Load Up with Toppings and Serve Immediately: Once the tortilla chips are well-coated in the salsa, quickly garnish your mexican chilaquiles with fried eggs, generous drizzles of cilantro lime crema, crumbled Cotija cheese, sliced avocado, fresh radishes, jalapeño (if using), and cilantro leaves.
- Season and Enjoy: Season your mexican chilaquiles to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately and savor the delightful combination of textures and flavors!
Key Tip for Perfect Mexican Chilaquiles
The secret to avoiding soggy mexican chilaquiles is timing! Add the tortilla chips to the warm salsa right before serving. For optimal crispness, it’s even recommended to prepare your fried eggs before adding the chips to the salsa. This minimizes the chips’ soaking time and ensures a satisfyingly crunchy bite.
Close up shot of chilaquiles verdes topped with fried eggs and crema.
Serving Suggestions for Mexican Chilaquiles
The fun of mexican chilaquiles truly lies in customizing the toppings! While this recipe includes my favorite combination, feel free to explore variations to match your taste. Here are some delicious topping ideas and serving suggestions:
- Protein Boost: Add shredded chicken, carnitas, chorizo, or black beans for a heartier meal.
- Cheese Variations: Experiment with queso fresco, Oaxaca cheese, or Monterey Jack.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of jalapeño or add a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
- Side Dishes: Complement your mexican chilaquiles with a side of refried beans or black beans for a complete and balanced meal.
Enjoy exploring the world of mexican chilaquiles and creating your own perfect version of this beloved dish!
Overhead view of a serving of chilaquiles in a bowl, garnished with toppings.
More Delicious Mexican Inspired Recipes
If you’re a fan of this scrumptious Mexican breakfast, explore these other Tex-Mex and Mexican-inspired recipes:
[Link to Black Beans Recipe]
[Link to Refried Beans Recipe]
[Link to Salsa Roja Recipe]
[Link to Homemade Tortilla Chips Recipe]
[Link to Cilantro Lime Crema Recipe]
[Link to Tomatillo Salsa Verde Recipe]
[Link to Fried Egg Recipe]
Mexican Chilaquiles Recipe
Rating: 5 from 13 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4
This easy mexican chilaquiles recipe delivers a delightful breakfast or brunch! Crispy tortilla chips are tossed in zesty salsa verde and topped with fried eggs and fresh garnishes. Remember to add the chips just before serving to maintain their perfect crispness.
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) jar tomatillo salsa, or 2 cups homemade Tomatillo Salsa Verde
- 1 cup water or vegetable broth
- 6 ounces thick tortilla chips (about 4 handfuls, El Milagro brand recommended)
- Cilantro Lime Crema, for drizzling
- 4 fried eggs
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 2 radishes, thinly sliced
- ½ jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced
- Cotija cheese, crumbled
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet, pour in the salsa and water or vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Add the tortilla chips to the skillet and gently fold to coat them evenly in the salsa.
- Remove from heat and immediately top with drizzles of cilantro lime crema, fried eggs, sliced avocado, radishes, and jalapeños.
- Sprinkle generously with crumbled Cotija cheese and fresh cilantro leaves.
- Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with extra crema on the side, if desired.
Enjoy your homemade mexican chilaquiles!
