Chilaquiles Recipe: A Flavorful Mexican Breakfast or Brunch Dish

Introduction

Chilaquiles is a beloved Mexican dish that combines tortilla chips, flavorful sauce, and a variety of toppings to create a satisfying and delicious breakfast or brunch option. Whether you're looking for a comforting morning meal or a crowd-pleasing dish for a weekend brunch, chilaquiles is a versatile and flavorful choice. In this article, we'll guide you through how to make this classic Mexican dish at home.

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Ingredients:

For the Chilaquiles Sauce:

2 cups of tomato sauce or blended tomatoes

1/2 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2-3 dried guajillo chilies (or other mild dried chilies), soaked, seeded, and blended into a paste

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

Salt and pepper to taste

For the Chilaquiles:

6 cups of corn tortilla chips (preferably stale or slightly dried)

1 cup shredded cooked chicken (optional)

1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup diced red onion

2-3 fried or poached eggs (optional)

Sour cream or Mexican crema for garnish (optional)

Sliced avocado for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare the Chilaquiles Sauce:

In a medium saucepan, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until they become soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Add the blended dried guajillo chilies, ground cumin, and ground coriander to the saucepan. Stir well and cook for an additional 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Pour in the tomato sauce (or blended tomatoes) and bring the mixture to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes, allowing it to thicken and develop its rich flavor. If the sauce gets too thick, you can add a splash of water to reach your desired consistency.

Prepare the Chilaquiles:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a large ovenproof serving dish or casserole dish, spread out the corn tortilla chips evenly.

Pour the prepared chilaquiles sauce over the tortilla chips, ensuring they are well coated. If you're using shredded chicken, you can add it evenly over the sauce at this stage.

Sprinkle the crumbled queso fresco (or shredded Monterey Jack cheese) evenly over the chilaquiles.

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the chips are slightly crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Remove the chilaquiles from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and diced red onion.

If desired, top with fried or poached eggs for an extra layer of richness.

Serve your homemade chilaquiles hot, with optional garnishes such as sour cream, sliced avocado, and extra cheese.

Variations:

Salsa Verde Chilaquiles: Instead of tomato-based sauce, you can make chilaquiles with a salsa verde (green sauce) made from tomatillos, green chilies, and cilantro.

Vegetarian Chilaquiles: Skip the chicken and use sautéed vegetables or beans as a protein alternative.

Spicy Chilaquiles: If you love heat, add sliced jalapeños or serrano peppers to the sauce for an extra kick.

Conclusion

Chilaquiles is a delightful and versatile Mexican dish that can be customized to your taste and preferred level of spiciness. Whether enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, or any meal of the day, its combination of crispy tortilla chips, flavorful sauce, and various toppings makes it a crowd-pleaser. With this homemade chilaquiles recipe, you can bring the flavors of Mexico to your own kitchen and savor this delicious dish with friends and family.