Chilaquiles Verdes Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What is chilaquiles verdes made of? ›

Chilaquiles Verdes is a traditional Mexican dish, made with crispy fried corn tortillas and salsa verde. In this easy homemade recipe, we're using thick crispy tortilla chips and green enchilada sauce to make chilaquiles in just 15 minutes!

Thick tortilla chips – Traditionally, chilaquiles would be made with fried stale corn tortillas, but to streamline this recipe, I sub store-bought tortilla chips. Look for ones that are fairly thick. If they're too thin, they'll quickly get soggy in the salsa.

The best chilaquiles (the kind we're after) aren't so much wet as moist, and aren't so much limp as "gently softened until the chips retain just a bit of crunch but dissolve in your mouth into a mix of comforting starch and hot salsa." But still, when it comes down to it, chilaquiles are essentially soggy nachos—an ...

Chilaquiles are basically corn tortilla pieces that are fried, cooked in salsa, and sprinkled with cheese. They are often served for breakfast with eggs and a side of beans or nopalitos.

If you decide to go store-bought, then I suggest Herdez mild salsa verde. Quality enchilada sauce is harder to come by but Frontera enchilada sauce is decent but you still may want to doctor it up a bit or for those who like a little deeper, spicier sauce, I prefer Frontera's Adobo Sauce.

Fresh and sturdy chips made from real tortillas will always be the best option for chilaquiles, because they can absorb the salsa without falling apart. Whole Foods also sells fresh-style tortilla chips, which are fine in a pinch, but homemade or restaurant-made chips are your best option.

Depending on your taste buds, you might prefer chilaquiles verdes or chilaquiles rojos! The only difference between the two is the type of salsa used! We love both, but our recipe is Chilaquiles Verdes, which uses a green salsa to combine all the components.

But there's a difference in that regard: migas usually feature short strips of fried tortilla, while chilaquiles use what are essentially tortilla chips. There are other distinctions too. The tortillas in migas are mixed with scrambled eggs; chilaquiles' are drenched in salsa.

Fry the eggs the way you like them. To serve, place a portions of chilaquiles on a plate together with the eggs, then scatter fresh cheese or feta, some crème fraîche or sour cream and chopped fresh coriander on top of the chilaquiles. Enjoy!

While chilaquiles are most commonly served for breakfast in Mexico, it's not considered exclusively a breakfast dish. In fact, one of the reasons Mexicans love chilaquiles so much is that it's an all-day dish: You can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

What breakfast is similar to chilaquiles? ›

If you've ever been to Texas you might've had migas for breakfast. Migas means “crumbs” in Spanish and in Texas the migas are usually made with fried tortilla chips, a tomato-based red sauce and scrambled eggs. I will say they're similar to chilaquiles but different. I like to think of them as their cousin.

Chilaquiles are an unchallenged icon of Mexican breakfast. Since Chilaquiles are a little spicy and and served warm, it's like a gentle jolt that dispels your morning drowsiness. “Tasty” is the best way to describe chilaquiles. They can be prepared with red or green sauce, but the former is the classical option.

chi·​la·​qui·​les ˌchē-lä-ˈkē-lās. : a Mexican dish of fried corn tortilla pieces simmered with salsa or mole and typically topped with cheese and other accompaniments (such as sliced onions, shredded chicken, and fried or scrambled eggs)

The word chilaquiles (pronunced: [tʃilaˈkiles] or chee-lah-kee-lehs) derives from an ancient word in the Aztec Nahuatl language meaning “chilis and greens.” The Nahuatl language originated in Central Mexico and can still be heard spoken today in some regional communities.

By using lower-fat and calorie ingredients like baked tortilla chips, a light tomato-based sauce, and fresh cheese and eggs instead of heavy cream, chilaquiles can be a delicious and healthy option. They are perfect for sharing with friends as a tasty and satisfying snack or as an ideal brunch dish.

The tradition of preparing chilaquiles has existed for hundreds of years. As such, they are a very common meal for many Mexican families. Chilaquiles are said to have been first brought to America in a cookbook by Encarnación Pinedo, “The Spanish Cook” in 1898.

Chilaquiles is a traditional Mexican dish; its name is derived from “chīlāquilitl” (“chiles and greens”), a word in the indigenous Mexican language known as Nahuatl.

In its most basic form, Chilaquiles consist of fried tortilla strips that are simmered in salsa or mole to soften them up. It is a very versatile dish but it is most commonly served for breakfast or brunch.