Easy Chilaquiles Recipe with Tortilla Chips

Chile Sauce

1. Gently wipe down each chile pepper with a damp paper towel or cloth. Cut off the stems and remove the seeds and veins.
2. Place the chiles and tomatoes in a medium size saucepan. Add water (about 6 cups) to cover the chiles. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until the chiles are soft (about 10 minutes).
3. Drain chiles over a sieve reserving the water.
4. Place soft chiles, garlic cloves, onion, salt, and 2 cups of the reserved chile water in a blender. Pulse until smooth. Strain sauce if desired.
5. TORTILLA Chips
6. If using prepared tortilla chips for an easy chilaquiles recipe you can move to the assembly instructions.

FRIED Tortilla Chips

1. Add oil to a large skillet and turn heat to medium-high. Heat the oil to 350°F degrees. Gently add prepared tortilla wedges in a single layer.
2. Fry tortilla wedges for 2 minutes or until lightly brown. Gently turn chips with a metal tong or fork cooking the other side of the tortilla chips.
3. Place fried tortilla chips on a plate lined with paper towels.
4. Repeat until all tortilla chips are cooked. Add additional oil if needed.

BAKED Tortilla Chips

1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F degrees.
2. Lightly spray both sides of the tortillas with a neutral tasting cooking spray.
3. Cut tortillas into triangles and place on a baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt if desired.
4. Bake for 5-7 minutes, then flip the tortilla chips with tongs or a fork and bake on the other side for an additional 5-7 minutes or until crispy and light brown.
5. Remove baked tortilla chips from the oven.
6. Repeat above steps in batches if needed.  

Assemble Chilaquiles

1. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a large skillet. Heat over medium heat and add ½ sliced white onion. Sauté until fragrant.
2. Pour prepared chile sauce in the skillet oven the onions and bring the sauce to a simmer.
3. Add the prepared tortilla chips to the sauce, and gently fold ingredients ensuring the chips are coated with the sauce.
4. Top with cheese and serve.
5. Add additional toppings if desired.