Green Chile Breakfast Quesadillas

Updated Jan. 29, 2024

Green Chile Breakfast Quesadillas
Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times
Total Time
1 hour
Rating
4(105)
Comments
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If there is one ingredient absolutely necessary for traditional New Mexican cooking, it is the long, spicy, local green chile. Try this easy recipe for a good basic green chile sauce. It adds a Southwestern kick to nearly anything, but it is especially nice spooned liberally over a hearty breakfast quesadilla.

Featured in: A Roasted Green Chile Evokes Santa Fe

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

    For the Green Chile Sauce

    • 2tablespoons butter, lard or vegetable oil
    • 1small onion, finely diced
    • Kosher salt
    • 4garlic cloves, minced
    • 2tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 2cups chicken broth or water
    • 2cups chopped Hatch or Anaheim green chiles (roasted, peeled and seeded), from about 2 pounds chiles
    • ½teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted and coarsely ground
    • ½teaspoon oregano

    For the Quesadillas

    • 4large flour tortillas, plain or whole wheat
    • 8ounces grated cheese, such as Oaxaca string cheese or Monterey Jack
    • 2tablespoons butter
    • 2medium-size cooked peeled potatoes, cut in small cubes, about 1½ cups (optional)
    • 6 to 8eggs, lightly beaten
    • Salt and pepper
    • 4ounces queso fresco or cotija cheese, crumbled
    • Handful of cilantro sprigs
    • 1firm-ripe avocado, sliced
    • Radishes, optional, for garnish
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

977 calories; 58 grams fat; 23 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 24 grams monounsaturated fat; 7 grams polyunsaturated fat; 74 grams carbohydrates; 9 grams dietary fiber; 10 grams sugars; 44 grams protein; 1429 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Make the Green Chile Sauce

    1. Step 1

      Put butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, season lightly with salt and cook, stirring, until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Sprinkle in flour and stir to coat.

    2. Step 2

      Add broth a little at a time, whisking constantly until thickened, about 2 minutes. Add chopped chile, cumin, oregano and about ½ teaspoon salt. Lower heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes. You should have about 3 cups medium-thick sauce. (May be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to 5 days.) Keep sauce warm.

  2. Make the Quesadillas

    1. Step 3

      Heat oven to 350 degrees. Set a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Warm tortillas on both sides, one at a time, without allowing them to crisp or brown much. Place tortillas on a baking sheet (you may need 2) and sprinkle each with 2 ounces of the grated cheese. Put in oven to melt cheese.

    2. Step 4

      Melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add potatoes if using, heat them through and let lightly brown. Season eggs with salt and pepper, pour over potatoes and quickly stir mixture until eggs are soft-scrambled. Remove tortillas from oven and place ¼ of the cooked egg mixture at the center of each. Fold tortillas in half and transfer to 4 warm plates. Spoon ¼ cup warm green chile sauce over each quesadilla. Sprinkle with queso fresco and top with cilantro sprigs and avocado slices. Garnish with whole or halved radishes if desired. Serve immediately.

Ratings

4 out of 5
105 user ratings
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Comments

Now in NC after many years in Colorado, I find myself jonesing for Green chile almost daily. For a 20 minute version you couldn't do better - this is my new go to recipe for green chile!

Trader Joes sells 24oz roasted, chopped Hatch chiles in the freezer section and the amount was perfect. We added a first step/ingredient - browned diced bacon and then added the onion, garlic, chile, etc. Highly recommend!

You can order frozen green chile from Bueno New Mexican Foods and have it delivered to your door, roasted, seeded and chopped. You can choose medium, hot or extra hot. Sorry Chuck, poblanos are not a replacement for Hatch green chiles. Come visit us and see for yourself!

If New Mexico green chiles are necessary, then use the canned ones and not Anaheims which are pretty much like green peppers with a different shape.

I had some hatch chiles, roasted, peeled and frozen so this was a snap to make—I left the seeds in and the sauce has a great kick!

Can use hash brown potatoes instead of raw potatoes.

This green Chile sauce is wonderful for enchiladas! We make the stacked version with onion and cheese between tortillas and fried egg on top.

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