Mexican Breakfast

20-30 minutes Serves 2-4 Easy

Chilaquiles

Crispy, Saucy, Comforting and Perfect for Breakfast

Chilaquiles is a classic Mexican breakfast dish made from fried tortilla chips simmered or tossed in warm salsa, then finished with toppings like eggs, cheese, crema and fresh herbs. It is rustic, comforting and endlessly customizable. Every region has its own approach. Some simmer the chips until soft. Others keep them crisp. Some use red salsa, some use green. Some load it with toppings while others keep it simple.

And one of the best parts is how well it uses leftovers. Chilaquiles are incredible with pulled pork or carnitas, but you can also use leftover brisket, corned beef or even bacon. It is one of the most flexible breakfast dishes you can make, and it always feels special.

This version uses MeatSweats303 Smoked Salsa Verde, which brings smoky roasted tomatillo flavor that takes the whole dish to another level.

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See How It's Made

Follow along with the full video tutorial to master this delicious breakfast dish

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Ingredients

For the Chips

8 to 10 white corn tortillas
Oil for frying

For the Salsa

1 to 1.5 cups MeatSweats303 Smoked Salsa Verde
(or your favorite salsa verde)

For the Eggs

4 to 5 eggs
1 tablespoon butter
Splash of water for steaming

Protein Options (Choose One or Mix and Match)

1 to 1.5 cups pulled pork or carnitas
Leftover brisket, chopped
Corned beef
Crisp bacon pieces

Toppings

Queso fresco or cotija, crumbled
Cilantro
Diced avocado
Pickled onions (optional)
Crema or sour cream
Lime wedges
Hot sauce

Prepping ingredients for Chilaquiles showing organized bowls of ingredients ready for cooking

Mise en Place: Getting Everything Ready

Prep your ingredients ahead of time for a smooth cooking experience

Instructions

1

Fry the Tortillas

Frying tortilla chips in hot oil until golden and crispy

1. Cut the corn tortillas into triangles.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
3. Fry the tortilla pieces in batches until crisp and golden.
4. Drain on paper towels and lightly salt.
5. Set aside while you prepare everything else.

Homemade fried chips are the key to perfect chilaquiles. They hold up better and absorb salsa without falling apart.

2

Warm the Salsa

Cooking fried tortilla chips with salsa verde in a skillet

1. In a large skillet, add your Smoked Salsa Verde.
2. Heat it over medium until it begins to simmer.
3. At this point you can decide if you want a crisp chilaquiles or a softer, more traditional version:

For crisp chilaquiles:

Toss quickly in salsa and serve.

For softer chilaquiles:

Simmer the chips in the salsa for 2 to 3 minutes until just softened.

3

Add Protein (Optional but Highly Recommended)

If using pulled pork or carnitas:

1. Add the pork to the skillet with the salsa to warm it through.
2. Toss gently with the chips.

If using brisket or corned beef:

1. Sear or warm the meat in a separate pan first.
2. Add on top of the sauced chips when plating.

Bacon can be added directly as a topping.

4

Cook the Eggs

Steamed eggs give you soft whites and glossy yolks that run perfectly over the chilaquiles.

Perfectly basted eggs with soft whites and glossy yolks

1. Melt butter in a small nonstick skillet.
2. Crack in 4 to 5 eggs.
3. Add a splash of water.
4. Cover and steam until the whites are set but the yolks are still soft.

You can also cook the eggs sunny side up or over easy if you prefer.

5

Assemble the Dish

Chilaquiles topped with cilantro, queso fresco and diced avocado

1. Plate a mound of salsa soaked tortilla chips.
2. Add your warmed protein.
3. Top with the steamed eggs.
4. Add cilantro, queso fresco, diced avocado and any optional toppings.

Fun Technique

Variation: Carnitas Egg Ring

A fun technique for a heartier version

1
In a skillet, add a ring of carnitas around the outside and warm them in butter.
2
Crack eggs into the center.
3
Add a splash of water.
4
Cover and steam until the eggs are just set.
5
Slide the eggs and carnitas on top of the chilaquiles.

This gives you crispy edges on the carnitas and perfectly cooked eggs that sit right in the center.

Tips and Options

Extra Crunch

Reserve a handful of fried chips and sprinkle on top for added texture contrast.

Add Heat

Add jalapeños or serranos for extra spice and depth of flavor.

Mix Salsas

Mix salsa verde with salsa roja for a spicy blended version with more complexity.

Add Richness

Add a dollop of crema or sour cream for extra richness and balance.

Try Chorizo

Chorizo is an excellent protein substitute that adds smoky, spicy flavor.

The Perfect Breakfast Comfort Food

Chilaquiles is the ultimate breakfast dish for using what you have and making it delicious. Whether you go crispy or soft, red or green, loaded with toppings or simple and clean, this is a dish that never disappoints. It is comforting, satisfying and endlessly adaptable. Make it with your favorite proteins, dial in your preferred level of heat, and enjoy one of Mexico's most iconic breakfast traditions.