Description
Easy Chilaquiles are a quick, flavorful Mexican dish that combines crispy tortilla chips with a vibrant tomato salsa, topped with cheese, eggs, and fresh herbs. Perfect for any meal, this recipe balances bold flavors and textures for a satisfying, homemade experience in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 4 cups tortilla chips (store-bought or freshly fried)
- 2 cups tomato salsa (fresh or canned tomatoes blended with chili, onion, and garlic)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons oil for frying
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings
- ½ cup queso fresco or shredded cheese
- 2–4 eggs (fried or scrambled, optional)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Salsa: Blend fresh or canned tomatoes with garlic, onion, and your choice of chili peppers until smooth. Pour the mixture into a saucepan over medium heat and simmer until it thickens and develops rich flavors.
- Fry or Crisp the Tortilla Chips: If using fresh tortillas, slice them into triangles and lightly fry in hot oil until crispy and golden. Alternatively, use store-bought tortilla chips straight from the bag to save time.
- Combine Chips and Salsa: Add the crispy tortilla chips to the warm salsa in the pan. Toss gently to coat each chip in sauce without making them soggy, allowing the perfect balance of texture.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle crumbled queso fresco or shredded cheese over the top. If desired, fry eggs sunny side up or scramble them and place them on your chilaquiles for that classic finishing touch.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish with freshly chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice for bursts of freshness. Serve immediately to keep the chips crisp and the flavors vibrant.
Notes
- Make salsa ahead to deepen flavors and save time during cooking.
- Use sturdy, thick corn tortillas or fry your own chips for best texture retention.
- Control moisture by adding sauce gradually to avoid soggy chips.
- Use fresh cheese and herbs to elevate the dish with bright, fresh flavors.
- Don’t skip the lime—it adds a bright acidity that ties all the flavors together.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: chilaquiles, Mexican recipe, tortilla chips, easy dinner, quick meal, salsa, queso fresco, eggs, gluten free