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5.0 from 84 votes

Chilaquiles Recipe

Chilaquiles is a traditional Mexican breakfast dish that is made up of a red sauce tossed with tortilla chips and cooked until softened with eggs on top!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 179 kcal
Course: Main Course , Breakfast , Dinner
Cuisine: American , Mexican

Ingredients

Chilaquiles Sauce:
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 6 roma tomatoes
  • 1/2 white onion peeled and stem cut off
  • 3 garlic cloves peeled and smashed
  • 2 dried guajillo chiles
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt plus more to taste
Assembly and Toppings
  • 1 (5-ounce) bag of tortilla chips of choice
  • 2-3 large eggs for topping
  • 1 radish thinly sliced
  • 2 ounces queso fresco or Cotija crumbled
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • diced red onion for topping
  • Handful of cilantro leaves for topping

Instructions

To Make the Chilaquiles Sauce:
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a big saucepan or Dutch oven, set over high heat, add the vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the roma tomatoes and sear on first side for about 3 to 5 minutes, flip, using tongs, and sear on the opposite side for an additional 2 minutes. You may need to do this in batches. Remove the tomatoes and set them aside in a bowl or on a cutting board.
  2. Next, add the onion, garlic cloves and guajillo chiles, searing and toasting them for about 2 to 3 minutes. Take a peek at the onion and if it needs more time, leave it for an additional minute or two. Remove the onion and garlic cloves and set them aside. Add the tomatoes back to the pot with the chiles and add 2 cups of water. Cover the pot and cook for about 10 minutes. This will soften the tomatoes quite a bit and soften the chiles too.
  3. To a blender, add the mixture from the pot (the chiles, garlic cloves, onion and water). You may need to blend this sauce in batches, depending on how big your blender is (I had to do in batches). While you blend it, make sure you allow a bit of steam out of the blender, about about 1 minute, until super smooth.
  4. Add back to the pot and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Bring to a simmer. Give it a taste and adjust the salt to your liking. I needed about 1 teaspoon.
To Assemble the Chilaquiles:
  1. Get your garnishes ready because the end of the dish happens quickly. Bring the sauce to a rapid simmer (you want it hot!). And fry up your eggs.
  2. Add the tortilla chips to the pot with the sauce and toss until they’re evenly coated. It may be easier to do this in a large bowl (you can add the tortillas to a large bowl and ladle the sauce over it).
  3. Divide the chips amongst plates and top with the a fried egg, a handful of sliced radishes, crumbled queso fresco, cilantro leaves and avocado, if you like.

Notes

  • Be sure to allow the dried chiles to cook in the water mixture for the full amount of time. You really want them to be softened so they blend up easier.
  • Heat up the sauce until it reaches a simmer. You want it to be super hot because when you add the tortilla chips, it brings the temperature down.
  • Get all of your garnishes ready before you toss everything together. The ending of this recipe comes together very quickly.
  • If you're really in the mood, I'll sometimes toss the chips with the sauce, sprinkle on jack cheese or Oaxacan cheese and stick them under the broiler. And then proceed with the garnishes.
  • This sauce can be made up to a week ahead and kept in the fridge.
  • This sauce also freezes well. Keep in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge. 
  • If you can't find queso fresco and cotija, feta cheese is a reasonable substitution!
  • If you're feeling super lazy (it's ok I won't judge you), you can buy a can of enchilada sauce. I would warm it and bring it to a gentle simmer; cook for about 10 minutes. This will get rid of the can-flavor that can sometimes be present. Proceed with tossing the chips and top with eggs and garnishes. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 2g Calories 179kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 10g (3%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Cholesterol 10mg (3%) Sodium 1285mg (54%) Potassium 512mg (15%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 962IU (19%) Vitamin C 19mg (21%) Calcium 107mg (11%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 179

% Daily Value*

Serving 2g
Calories 179kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 10g 3%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 10mg 3%
Sodium 1285mg 54%
Potassium 512mg 11%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 962IU 19%
Vitamin C 19mg 21%
Calcium 107mg 11%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.