Easy Chilaquiles Recipe: A Traditional Mexican Breakfast

5 from 8 votes
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Chilaquiles are a traditional Mexican dish, popular for breakfast but delicious enough to enjoy at lunch or dinner as well. Chilaquiles make a great meal on Cinco de Mayo, or anytime you are craving something tasty with lots of Mexican flavors!

Chilaquiles with eggs in a cast iron skillet.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in Easy Chilaquiles
  2. Topping Ideas
  3. Recipe Tips
  4. Frequently Asked Questions about Chilaquiles
  5. Start the Day with a Powerful and Healthy Breakfast
  6. How to Make Easy Chilaquiles
  7. Easy Chilaquiles Recipe

This Easy Chilaquiles recipe is a delicious and unique way to start your day. Chilaquiles only takes 30 minutes to make using 5 simple ingredients. You can customize them with your favorite salsa and toppings. I’ve included toppings ideas at this post so you can decide what ingredients you want to include when serving this meal at your home. It is also an excellent way to use up leftover ingredients from previous meals.

If you want to start your day with a powerful and healthy breakfast, here are more than 33 tasty and filling breakfast recipes for you to check on.

Ingredients in Easy Chilaquiles

This recipe is actually quite simple and uses only a few ingredients for the base. Then you can add all kind of delicious toppings. Here’s all you need:

  • Lightly-Fried Corn Tortillas: First, you cut your corn tortillas into quarters and lightly fry them in about a tablespoon of olive oil or vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Then, you drain them on a plate with a paper towel and lightly salt them.
  • Green or Red Sauce: Next, heat your sauce in a saucepan. You can use a green (chilaquiles verdes) or red enchilada sauce (chilaquiles rojos), I prefer green. Use a pre-made sauce, or blend your own with tomatillos in a blender! I usually use salsa verde or even green chile sauce. Pour the sauce on the chips and toss until all the chips are coated.
  • Protein: After you coat the chips in sauce, top the Chilaquiles with the protein of your choice. I like my Chilaquiles with eggs (fried or scrambled). However, sometimes if I have leftover shredded chicken or pork or ground beef, I use that instead. For a vegetarian option, some people like to serve this dish with refried beans.
  • Toppings and Garnishes: This is where you can get really creative. See our toppings list below for ideas!
Two forks in a cast iron skillet full of chilaquiles - tortilla chips cooked in salsa verde, eggs, avocado and cilantro.


Topping Ideas

Once you have the base of your easy chilaquiles, you can go crazy with toppings! This would be such a fun breakfast to serve for birthdays, holidays, or any time! Just set up a topping bar and let your guests add anything they like. YUM!

  • queso fresco
  • cilantro leaves
  • cotija cheese
  • shredded cheese
  • avocado slices
  • cilantro (stems removed, just the leaves)
  • Mexican crema
  • pickled red onions
  • radishes
  • diced tomatoes
  • green chiles
  • black beans
  • bacon
  • hot sauce
  • lime wedges
  • lime juice
  • tomatillo salsa
  • sour cream
  • Diced green pepper
  • chipotles
  • side of refried beans

Recipe Tips

Lightly fried corn tortillas for chilaquiles on a plate with a paper towel.

If you are pressed for time, you can use store-bought tortilla chips instead of frying your own.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chilaquiles

Are Chilaquiles just nachos?

They are similar to nachos, but not quite the same. Chilaquiles are made with fried tortillas or fried tortilla chips that are coated in a rich sauce and topped with a variety of toppings (see above).

Are Chilaquiles supposed to be crunchy?

This depends on your personal preference! Some people like their Chilaquiles more crunchy, and some like them on the tender side. For a crispier crunch, add only half of the sauce to the recipe.

Can I add meat to Chilaquiles?

Yes! I have added pulled pork and pulled chicken to my Chilaquiles before and it is delicious! I have also seen bacon and chorizo as toppings.

How can I keep the Chilaquiles from getting soggy?

To give the corn tortillas that crispy, chip-texture, don’t skip the step of frying them in oil. Make sure they’re puffy and slightly browned. They’ll crisp up as they dry on a paper towel.

READ NEXT: 33+ Breakfast Ideas

Start the Day with a Powerful and Healthy Breakfast

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it’s easy to get stuck in a breakfast rut. Sometimes you just need a few ideas to get the wheels turning. Here are more than 33 tasty and filling breakfast recipes for you to browse. We are sharing easy breakfast recipes in 6 categories: Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas, Breakfast Sandwiches, Egg Breakfasts, Sweet Breakfasts, Breakfast Breads, and Grab-and-Go Breakfasts. Each recipe is a tried and true family favorite your family will love. In addition, we’ve included a recipe for our hearty Breakfast Quesadillas. 

How to Make Easy Chilaquiles

Chilequiles with eggs in a cast iron skillet.

Easy Chilaquiles

5 from 8 votes
Easy Chilaquiles are a popular Mexican breakfast that your family is going to love. This traditional dish includes fried corn tortillas, green salsa, fried eggs, and delicious toppings.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine Mexican/Spanish
Servings 2

Video

Ingredients

Toppings

Instructions

  • Prepare a plate with a paper towel. Set aside.
    Corn tortillas cut into triangles for chips.
  • In a large, skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Lightly fry each side of the tortilla quarters until they are golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Place the fried chips on the paper towel to drain the oil.
    Lightly fried corn tortillas on a plate with a paper towel.
  • Remove the oil from the skillet. In the skillet, heat the green sauce over medium heat until warm. Add tortilla chips and toss until all the chips are coated.
    Chilaquiles in a lodge black cast iron.
  • Add eggs and any additional toppings and serve immediately.
    Chilequiles with eggs in a cast iron skillet.

Notes

Once you have the base of your easy chilaquiles, you can go crazy with toppings! This would be such a fun breakfast to serve for birthdays, holidays, or any time! Just set up a topping bar and let your guests add anything they like. YUM! They’re also delicious served with a side of refried beans. Here is a list of some topping ideas. 
  • avocado slices
  • bacon 
  • black beans
  • chipotles
  • cilantro leaves
  • cotija cheese
  • diced green bell peppers
  • diced tomatoes
  • green chiles
  • hot sauce
  • lime juice 
  • lime wedges
  • Mexican crema
  • pickled red onions
  • queso fresco
  • radishes
  • shredded cheese
  • sour cream 
  • tomatillo salsa
  •  

Nutrition Information

Calories: 423kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 10gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 164mgSodium: 1117mgPotassium: 494mgFiber: 5gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1125IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 88mgIron: 2mg

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About the author

Kelsey Crist

Kelsey lives in Washington with her husband, Alex, and two cats, Diana and Nova. Her happy place is in the kitchen listening to an audiobook and trying new recipes. When she's not in the kitchen you can find her hiking, shopping at Trader Joe's, or playing Animal Crossing. Her favorite food is pasta and Alex loves when she makes Homemade Oreos.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Wow! What a way to start the day. This recipe was so incredibly delicious and is definitely one of my favorite breakfast recipes!

  2. 5 stars
    The fresh fried tortilla chips are key! Nothing worse than soggy chilaquiles! This is a great base recipe. I often make it with leftover pulled meat from dinner!

  3. 5 stars
    Great breakfast recipe! I’m always looking for new things to make. This will be a great addition to the rotation