Description
Mexican chilaquiles showcase tortilla chips simmered in zesty salsa, topped with crema, queso fresco, and optional eggs or shredded chicken. Rich regional flavors make this classic breakfast dish a comforting culinary journey you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ bag tortilla chips
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup (118 ml) shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) crumbled cotija or queso fresco cheese
- 12–16 pickled jalapeño slices
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter
- 1 watermelon radish, thinly sliced
- fresh cilantro leaves
- sour cream
Instructions
- Roasting Aromatics: Position oven rack near broiler and line baking sheet with foil. Char onions, peppers, and garlic until softened and slightly blistered, removing peppers if cooking faster than other vegetables.
- Creating Sauce Base: Transfer roasted vegetables to blender with canned tomatoes, puréeing until smooth. For textural variation, reserve some tomatoes to incorporate after initial blending. Simmer sauce in saucepan over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring to prevent splattering and seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Assembling Chilaquiles: Lightly oil an oven-safe skillet and construct layered composition with tortilla chips, prepared sauce, shredded cheese, and cotija, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Baking Process: Place skillet in preheated 400°F oven, allowing cheese to melt and become effervescently bubbly, approximately 5-10 minutes.
- Egg Preparation: While chilaquiles bake, whisk eggs in nonstick skillet with melted butter. Cook eggs using continuous scraping and flipping technique, breaking larger pieces until achieving soft, uniform consistency.
- Final Presentation: Remove chilaquiles from oven and garnish with scrambled eggs, sliced jalapeños, radish rounds, and fresh cilantro. Crown with central dollop of sour cream and serve immediately to maintain crisp texture and optimal temperature.
Notes
- Broiler Technique: Carefully monitor vegetables to prevent burning, rotating or removing items that cook faster for even charring.
- Sauce Consistency Control: Adjust blending method for desired texture – fully purée for smooth sauce or reserve chunks for rustic feel.
- Cheese Layer Strategy: Create alternating layers to ensure even distribution and maximum flavor in every bite.
- Egg Perfection Tip: Cook eggs slowly and gently, removing from heat when just set to maintain creamy, soft texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 210mg