Chilaquiles is a delicious Mexican dish made with tortilla chips or strips, typically served with a red or green salsa and topped with various ingredients like cheese, sour cream, and sometimes eggs. Here’s a basic recipe for chilaquiles:
Ingredients:
For the Salsa:
- 2-3 medium tomatoes (for red salsa) or 6-8 tomatillos (for green salsa)
- 1-2 serrano or jalapeño peppers (adjust for spiciness)
- 1/2 small onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- Salt to taste
For the Chilaquiles:
- 8-10 oz (about half a bag) of tortilla chips
- 1 cup shredded chicken (optional)
- 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or shredded cheese (usually cotija or Monterey Jack)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
- 2-3 eggs (optional, for serving)
- Vegetable oil for frying the tortilla chips
Instructions:
- Start by making the salsa: a. For red salsa: Boil the tomatoes and peppers until they’re soft. Blend them with the onion, garlic, and a pinch of salt until smooth. If you want a smoother texture, strain the salsa. b. For green salsa: Remove the husks from the tomatillos, rinse them, and place them in a saucepan with the peppers, onion, and garlic. Cover with water and simmer until the tomatillos change color. Blend until smooth, adding salt to taste.
- In a large skillet, heat about 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the tortilla chips and stir them around to coat them in the oil. Cook until they begin to crisp up, usually for 3-5 minutes.
- Pour the salsa over the chips and stir well, making sure all the chips are coated with the sauce. Let them simmer for a few minutes until they soften but are not overly soggy.
- If you’re adding shredded chicken, mix it in with the chilaquiles at this point and let it heat through.
- In a separate skillet, fry the eggs over easy or as per your preference.
- Serve the chilaquiles on plates, and top with crumbled queso fresco, chopped cilantro, diced red onion, and a drizzle of sour cream or Mexican crema.
- Place a fried egg on top of each serving if you’re using eggs.
- Enjoy your homemade chilaquiles while they’re still hot!
Chilaquiles can be customized in many ways. You can add other toppings like avocado, sliced radishes, or pickled jalapeños to suit your taste. They are often served as a breakfast or brunch dish, but they’re great any time of day.
