Shortcut Chilaquiles

By Alison Roman

Shortcut Chilaquiles
Craig Lee for The New York Times
Total Time
30 minutes
Rating
4(508)
Comments
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Chilaquiles, a traditional Mexican dish made with fried tortillas simmered in red or green salsa, has become a popular breakfast item because it begs to be topped with a couple of fried eggs. This cheater's version is made with a fresh tomato (or tomatillo) salsa that doesn't require a blender, and tortilla chips or broken tostadas instead of fried tortillas. The perfect texture here is softened but not soggy; you want to make sure the chips are tossed evenly with the sauce, but not so much that they get lost in it. Fried eggs are the perfect complement here, as the crisp-edged white provides texture and the yolk a rich sauciness. But it would be just as delicious served underneath or alongside a pile of soft scrambled eggs.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 1small red or yellow onion, thinly sliced into rings
  • 2tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus more if desired
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 4tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1½pounds tomatoes, cored and sliced into 1-inch wedges
  • 1small Serrano or jalapeño chile, seeds removed if you like, finely chopped (optional)
  • 6ounces tortilla chips or tostadas, broken up into chip-size pieces
  • 4large eggs
  • 4ounces queso fresco, crumbled
  • 1cup cilantro, tender leaves and stems
  • ½cup crema (or sour cream, thinned with a bit of water) (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

600 calories; 41 grams fat; 10 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 19 grams monounsaturated fat; 8 grams polyunsaturated fat; 43 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 8 grams sugars; 17 grams protein; 890 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. Step 1

    Place half the onions in a small bowl and cover with lime juice. Season with salt and pepper, toss and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    Heat oil in a large skillet (12-inch works well) over medium-high heat. Add remaining onions and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until they are tender and starting to brown, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and half of chile (if using) and season with salt and pepper.

  3. Step 3

    Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have started to burst and simmer in their own juices, 5 to 8 minutes. Add 1 cup of water and continue to simmer until tomatoes are totally softened and melted down, another 5 to 8 minutes; larger bits of the skin are O.K., but they should feel mostly broken down into a nice, thick sauce.

  4. Step 4

    Add chips and toss to coat evenly. Simmer a minute or two and remove the pan from the heat while you fry the eggs.

  5. Step 5

    Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in another large skillet over medium-high heat. Add eggs and season with salt and pepper. Cook, undisturbed, until the whites of the egg are fried and lightly crisped but the yolks are still bright orange and runny, about 2 minutes.

  6. Step 6

    Divide chips among plates and top with fried egg, queso fresco, cilantro, crema, remaining green chile, reserved red onions and a squeeze of lime if you like.

Ratings

4 out of 5
508 user ratings
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Comments

Susanna

Looks fabulous. May I recommend shortcutting this even more (and perhaps improving) by using a can of Hatch green enchilada sauce instead of making your own? Exceptional pantry item. And... avocado slices on the side. A go-to desperation dinner in our house!

Mary

Also good with the addition of black beans.

Robert Martino

You may use 28 oz.can of crushed tomatoes (Italian style). Makes it simpler!

Jennie VT

This was excellent. Used ripe garden tomatoes (so many sitting on my counter!) and added crumbled, sauteed chicken chorizo to the second simmer after adding the water. Infused the whole thing with delicious flavor. Weeknight winner!

Lou

Had an extra packet of taco seasoning and added 1 Tbsp along with the tomatoes, really think it built on the flavors!

GPS

My go-to shortcut: Heat my (or your) favorite commercial or leftover home-made salsa in a frying pan to which you might have first added a bit of shortening and, if it's thick, some water. Add tortilla chips and let them soak up a bit of the salsa. Add eggs, either to poach (add a bit of water and cover the pan) or to scramble for chilaquiles con huevo. If you're not in a hurry, of course, there's no need for shortcuts, and you can do this dish up with a nicer presentation.

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