Chilaquiles a la Lydia Child Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is chilaquiles made of? ›

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.

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)

Now known as a staple in Mexican cuisine (as well as brunch culture in SoCal and Texas), Chilaquiles goes all the way back to the Aztecs. In fact, the word “chilaquiles” comes from the Nahuatl (Uto-Aztecan) language which means chile water.

The taste of chilaquiles is best described as a taco salad with a mildly spicy red or green enchilada sauce stirred in as a dressing. The exact flavors can vary greatly though, as different combinations of sauces and toppings are compiled.

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.

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.

Chilaquiles are a traditional Mexican dish dating back centuries to the early Aztecs.

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 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 ...

According to Taste of Home, that's usually due to the nature of the chips being used: thin, higher-end grocery store tortilla chips are just too delicate to stand up to the simmering process, and often go limp in the salsa, making for a one-note texture that's none too pleasing.

Does chilaquiles contain eggs? ›

What Are Chilaquiles Made Of? Chilaquiles (pronounced “chee-lah-keel-ehs”) is a Mexican dish made up of fried crispy tortilla chips, a red or green sauce, fried eggs and various toppings and garnishes.

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.

A Guatemalan breakfast dish, and a spin on quesadillas.

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.

This dish is found all throughout Mexico, and at its most basic, it consists of fried tortilla chips covered with a red or green salsa, which makes the chip soft. Chilaquiles are commonly served with a side of refried beans and are eaten quite regularly in most Mexican homes.

Do you like enchiladas? Chilaquiles are basically the same ingredients, but with a lot less work and Chef Hugo Ortega from Hugo's and Caracol is sharing his secret on the best way to prepare this traditional Mexican dish. Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.

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.

Carbs in Chilaquiles (fried corn tortilla pieces with cheese), made without egg, green sauce. Chilaquiles (fried corn tortilla pieces with cheese), made without egg, green sauce (1 cup) contains 23.7g total carbs, 20.1g net carbs, 23.4g fat, 9.6g protein, and 338 calories.

chilaquiles, a Mexican dish consisting of strips or pieces of corn tortillas that are fried, then sautéed with green or red salsa, and topped with cheese, crema (a sweet, thin cream sauce), and onion. Pulled chicken may also be added during the cooking process, and casserole versions of the dish are popular.