How to Make Chilaquiles – An Authentic Chilaquiles (Recipe Guide)

Our full recipe guide on how to make Chilaquiles the most popular breakfast in Mexico.

Chilaquiles are a traditional Mexican breakfast dish that consists of lightly fried corn tortillas cut into quarters and topped with green or red salsa (or mole).

Chilaquiles is simmered until the tortilla starts softening. Pulled chicken, eggs and cheese are often added on top, along with cream and sliced onions. Here’s how to make authentic chilaquiles:

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How to Make Chilaquiles

Chilaquiles Recipe Ingredients

12 corn tortillas, preferably stale or left to dry out overnight, cut into sixths or eighths
1 to 2 cups of salsa verde or roja (homemade or store-bought)
1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying
1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
Optional toppings: shredded cooked chicken, fried or scrambled eggs, avocado slices and additional salsa

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Step By Step How to Make Chilaquiles

Step 1 – Fry the Tortillas

In a large frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry Tortillas: Working in batches, fry the tortilla pieces until they start to crisp and become golden. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes per side.
Use a slotted spoon to remove the tortillas from the oil and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with a little salt while they’re still hot.

Step 2 – Prepare the Salsa

Pour the salsa into the frying pan, reduce heat to medium-low, and heat until it’s warm but not boiling. If your salsa is very thick, thin it with a little water or chicken broth.

Step 3 – Combine Tortillas and Salsa

Add the fried tortillas back into the pan with the warm salsa. Gently fold the tortillas into the salsa, coating them well. Allow them to simmer briefly in the salsa until they are just softened, not mushy, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 4 – Add Toppings and Serve

Remove the pan from heat. Drizzle the sour cream or crema over the chilaquiles and sprinkle with crumbled cheese. If using, add shredded chicken, eggs, or avocado on top.
Sprinkle with chopped red onion and cilantro. Chilaquiles are best enjoyed freshly made, as they continue to soften the longer they sit.

Tips To Make Chilaquiles

The type of salsa used (verde or roja) dramatically influences the flavor of the dish. Salsa verde tends to be a bit tart and bright, while salsa roja offers a deeper, sometimes smokier flavor.
Stale tortillas are ideal as they hold up better when soaked in salsa. If you don’t have stale tortillas, you can oven-dry them for a few minutes before frying.

How Many Calories Has A Chilaquiles

Corn Tortillas (12 small) is about 50 calories, so for 12 tortillas, that’s approximately 600 calories. Vegetable Oil for Frying is about 120 calories, Salsa (1 to 2 cups) is around 160 calories.

Queso Fresco is about 100 calories, Sour Cream or Mexican Crema 120 calories. Fried eggs would add about 90 calories per egg.
Total Estimated Calories:
Chilaquiles would be around 1240 calories for the whole dish, if you divide into 4 servings, each serving would be approximately 310 calories.