Sizzling Chilaquiles: Morning Breakfast Nachos Recipe

Sizzling corn tortilla chips dance with rich salsa in this mouthwatering chilaquiles recipe that promises a flavor explosion on your breakfast plate.

Mexican cuisine delivers another spectacular morning delight through these perfectly crispy, sauce-soaked tortillas.

Comfort meets culinary art in this traditional dish that balances zesty red or green salsa with tender, golden chips.

Each bite brings layers of texture and spice that wake up your taste buds with a vibrant punch.

Topped with crema, queso fresco, and a perfectly runny egg, these chilaquiles turn an ordinary morning into a fiesta of deliciousness.

You won’t find a more satisfying way to start your day than with this classic Mexican breakfast that celebrates bold, hearty flavors.

So roll up your sleeves and get ready to master a breakfast classic that will transport you straight to the heart of Mexico.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 3

Ingredients List for Chilaquiles (Breakfast Nachos)

• Onion: Adds sweet, caramelized depth to sauce with rich roasted flavor, choose firm and unblemished bulbs.
• Peppers: Brings smoky complexity and mild heat, select vibrant, crisp peppers without soft spots.
• Garlic: Provides intense aromatic base, pick firm cloves without green sprouts.

• Canned Tomatoes: Creates smooth, tangy foundation for chilaquiles sauce, opt for high-quality whole peeled varieties.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhances and balances overall sauce flavor, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum punch.

• Tortilla Chips: Serves as crispy base for entire dish, select thick, sturdy chips that won't get soggy quickly.
• Shredded Cheese: Delivers melty, gooey texture, choose a mild variety like monterey jack.
• Cotija Cheese: Adds salty, crumbly finish, select authentic Mexican-style cotija for genuine taste.

• Eggs: Provides creamy protein layer, use fresh, large eggs at room temperature.
• Butter: Creates silky scrambled egg texture, use unsalted for better control of seasoning.
• Jalapeño: Introduces fresh, spicy kick, remove seeds for milder heat.
• Radish: Adds crisp, peppery crunch, select firm, bright-colored radishes.
• Cilantro: Brings fresh, herbal brightness, choose vibrant green leaves.
• Sour Cream: Offers cool, tangy contrast, select full-fat version for richness.

Equipment for Making Chilaquiles

• Broiler: Used to char and soften vegetables quickly.
• Baking sheet: Essential for roasting peppers and onions.
• Aluminum foil: Helps with easy cleanup and prevents sticking.
• Blender: Crucial for creating smooth sauce from roasted vegetables and tomatoes.
• Saucepan: Needed to simmer and reduce sauce.
• Cast-iron skillet: Perfect for layering and baking chilaquiles.
• Nonstick skillet: Used for making scrambled eggs.
• Spatula: Helps scrape and flip eggs during cooking.
• Whisk: Ensures eggs are uniformly mixed.
• Cutting board: For slicing jalapeños and radishes.
• Sharp knife: Needed to slice garnish ingredients.

Instructions for Chilaquiles Preparation

• Roasted Vegetable Base

Crank up the broiler and prep a foil-lined baking sheet. Scatter onions, peppers, and garlic across the surface. Roast until vegetables soften and develop delicious charred edges, about 5-10 minutes.

• Sauce Creation

Transfer roasted vegetables to a blender with canned tomatoes. Pulse until smooth, adjusting consistency as desired. Simmer the sauce in a pan, letting flavors meld and concentrate for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

• Nacho Layer Assembly

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. In a cast-iron skillet, create layers of tortilla chips, drizzling sauce and sprinkling cheese between each layer. Aim for two complete layers.

• Cheese Melting

Bake until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbly blanket, roughly 5-10 minutes.

• Egg Preparation

In a nonstick skillet, whisk eggs and cook with gentle, continuous motion. Break up egg pieces, ensuring even cooking until just set.

• Final Flourish

Top the cheesy nachos with scrambled eggs. Garnish with sliced jalapeños, radishes, fresh cilantro, and a generous dollop of sour cream. Serve piping hot.

Tips & Flavor Variations for Chilaquiles

• Replace scrambled eggs with shredded chicken, chorizo, or black beans for a protein-packed breakfast variation.
• Adjust heat levels by using mild or hot peppers, or adding extra jalapeños for those who love a fiery kick.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like pepper jack, queso fresco, or monterey jack to create unique flavor profiles.
• Prepare sauce and roast vegetables the night before to speed up morning cooking and reduce prep time.

Ways to Plate and Serve Chilaquiles

• Fiesta Breakfast Fusion: Elevate your chilaquiles with a playful twist by serving alongside crispy bacon or chorizo for extra protein and flavor punch.
• Mexican Morning Brunch Spread: Create a colorful brunch board with additional sides like refried beans, fresh guacamole, and sliced avocado to complement the chilaquiles' rich flavors.
• Weekend Crowd-Pleaser Platter: Arrange the chilaquiles on a large wooden board, adding small bowls of extra salsa, crema, and toppings so guests can customize their plates and enjoy interactive dining.
• Fresh Morning Accompaniments: Pair with a bright citrus mimosa or fresh orange juice to balance the spicy and cheesy chilaquiles, creating a well-rounded breakfast experience.

Prep-Ahead & Leftover Notes for Chilaquiles

• Breakfast Prep Strategy: Chop veggies and make sauce the night before to streamline morning cooking. Store chopped ingredients in sealed containers within the refrigerator for quick assembly.
• Refrigerator Storage Solution: Keep leftover chilaquiles in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Separate chips from sauce to maintain crispness and prevent soggy texture when reheating.
• Freeze-Friendly Option: Freeze sauce separately in small portions for future quick meals. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently to maintain original flavor profile.
• Quick Reheat Technique: Warm chilaquiles in a skillet over medium heat to restore crispy chip texture. Add fresh cheese and garnishes after reheating to enhance serving presentation and flavor intensity.

Sizzling Chilaquiles Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Spicy Mexican chilaquiles blend crispy tortilla chips with zesty salsa and rich toppings. Hungry cooks can quickly craft this comforting breakfast dish with simple ingredients and bold flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ bag tortilla chips
• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup (120 ml) shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 12–16 pickled jalapeño slices
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter
• 2 tbsps crumbled cotija or queso fresco cheese
• 1 watermelon radish, thinly sliced
• fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
• sour cream

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Instructions

1. Roasting Vegetables: Position onions, peppers, and garlic on a foil-lined baking sheet under the broiler, charring until edges blister and vegetables soften, approximately 5-7 minutes.
2. Sauce Creation: Transfer roasted vegetables to a blender with canned tomatoes, pulsing until achieving a smooth, vibrant consistency while maintaining some textural chunks.
3. Sauce Preparation: Simmer the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent splattering and allow flavors to intensify, seasoning with salt and pepper for approximately 10 minutes.
4. Nacho Assembly: Lightly oil an oven-safe skillet, layer tortilla chips as a base, generously coating with sauce and alternating cheese varieties between chip layers.
5. Baking and Egg Preparation: Simultaneously, preheat oven to 400°F and bake nachos until cheese melts completely, developing a golden, bubbly texture. In a separate nonstick skillet, whisk eggs to a uniform color, cooking with butter and continuously folding to create soft, fluffy scrambled eggs.
6. Final Presentation: Remove nachos from oven, crown with freshly scrambled eggs, then embellish with sliced jalapeños, radish slivers, chopped cilantro, and a generous dollop of sour cream.
7. Serving: Present immediately to preserve warmth and ensure optimal cheese meltiness and flavor intensity.

Notes

• Optimize Vegetable Roasting: Char vegetables precisely to develop deep, smoky flavors without burning, watching closely during broiling to achieve perfect blistered edges.
• Master Sauce Consistency: Control sauce thickness by adjusting tomato portions, ensuring a smooth yet slightly chunky texture that clings perfectly to tortilla chips.
• Cheese Layer Strategy: Alternate cheese types between chip layers for complex flavor profiles and ensure even melting throughout the nachos.
• Egg Technique Matters: Whisk eggs continuously and scrape pan edges to create creamy, soft scrambled eggs that elevate the entire breakfast dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks
• Method: Broiling
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 14g
• Cholesterol: 370mg