• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ahead of Thyme logo

  • Home
  • About
    • About Me
    • Work With Us
    • Press
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Resources
    • Food Blogger Business School
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Resources
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Mexican Recipes » Chilaquiles Verdes

    Chilaquiles Verdes

    Leave a Comment

    150 Shares
    Pin150
    Yum
    Share
    Tweet
    More
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and topped with your favorite toppings. This classic Mexican breakfast dish is comforting, delicious, and flavorful — and unbelievably easy to make!

    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com

    These chilaquiles are ready to serve in just 30 minutes, making them ideal for busy mealtimes. Serve them on their own for breakfast, a light lunch, or a delicious "breakfast for dinner" meal alongside other Mexican-inspired dishes and have a fiesta!

    Why You'll Love these Chilaquiles Verdes

    • Crispy chips and green salsa. These chilaquiles turn chips and salsa into the main event! Toasted and perfectly crunchy chips are smothered in as much sauce as they can hold and loaded with fresh toppings that will satisfy your tastebuds — and rival your favorite Mexican restaurant.
    • Fresh, wholesome ingredients. Arguably the best part of these chilaquiles verdes is that they’re made from scratch with fresh ingredients. You get a bit of a leg-up with simple store-bought corn tortillas, but toasting them yourself ensures you get the freshest chips with no added preservatives — and it's healthier than frying!
    • Great for any time of day. Chilaquiles verdes are traditionally served for breakfast or brunch, but this dish has an incredibly versatile flavor that works for lunch, dinner, and in-between meals, too! Plus, it's ready in 30 minutes so it's great for busy weeknights when you are craving something quick with lots of flavor.
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com

    Ingredient Notes

    To make delicious Chilaquiles Verdes, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

    • corn tortillas - chilaquiles are traditionally made with corn tortillas that are sliced and toasted, but you can use flour tortillas if you prefer, though the result will be slightly different. You can also substitute with store-bought tortilla chips instead to save time.
    • cooking oil spray
    • onion - yellow or white onion works best, but you can also use shallots if that’s what you have on hand.
    • garlic - fresh garlic yields the best flavor, but you can use pre-minced garlic to save time.
    • jalapeño - you can use green bell pepper or omit the jalapeno entirely if you wan the chilaquiles to be more mild.
    • lime juice - use fresh-squeezed lime juice if you can, otherwise lime juice concentrate is fine.
    • cilantro - if you’re not a fan of cilantro, omit it or use another soft herb like basil or parsley.
    • salsa verde - both homemade or store-bought salsa verde will work.
    • vegetable oil - any vegetable oil will work including avocado oil or olive oil
    • salt

    Chilaquiles Toppings

    Chilaquiles are all about the toppings! Add your favorite Mexican toppings including:

    • sour cream - lime crema or greek yogurt are good swaps for sour cream.
    • Cotija cheese - if you don’t have Cotija, you can substitute feta.
    • red onion - raw red onion is used to garnish the chilaquiles, but you can use pickled onion or omit it altogether. White or yellow onion will work if you don’t have red on hand, but they’ll be a little stronger than red onion.
    • avocado - you can slice the avocado thin or smash it into guacamole!

    You will also need measuring cups and spoons, baking sheets, blender, and skillet.

    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Make the Best Chilaquiles Verdes

    1. Cut the tortillas. Stack the corn tortillas (4 pieces at a time) on top of each other and evenly cut them into eighths. Each tortilla will turn into 8 small triangle wedges.
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Bake the tortilla chips. To crisp them up, lightly spray both sides of the tortillas with cooking spray oil and place them in a single layer on two large baking sheets. Bake in a 400F preheated oven until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes on each side. Set aside.
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Make the sauce. In a blender, add onion, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, cilantro, and salsa verde. Blend until smooth, about 1 minute.
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Simmer. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot and sizzling, about 1 minute. Slowly pour in the sauce mixture and stir well. Bring it to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let the sauce simmer for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt to taste. Turn off the heat and set aside.
    2. Assemble. Add the baked tortilla chips on top of the sauce and toss well to coat.
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Serve. Add your favorite toppings including a drizzle or dollops of sour cream, cotija cheese, onion, avocado, and cilantro. Serve immediately.
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com

    Recipe Variations

    • Spice it up. Some like it hot, and if you prefer things on the spicier side, you can add extra jalapeño peppers on top or a generous drizzle of habanero sauce.
    • Add protein. You can easily beef these chilaquiles verdes up by adding cooked protein like beans, shredded chicken, pulled pork, or chopped steak.
    • Add eggs. Take this chilaquiles to the next level by topping them with fried or poached eggs. It's a great combination for breakfast or brunch.
    • Customize with additional toppings. Add any of your favorite Mexican-inspired toppings and make this dish your own. Some other popular options are diced tomatoes, guacamole, or a squeeze of lime juice.
    • Make it creamy. For a creamy sauce, mix some sour cream or lime crema into the cooked and simmered before tossing it with the tortilla chips.

    How to Serve

    Chilaquiles Verdes is a delicious meal served on its own for breakfast or brunch, or paired with some classic Mexican sides for dinner including:

    • Refried Beans
    • Guacamole and Pico de Gallo
    • Mexican Street Corn Salad
    • Cilantro Lime Rice
    • Black Bean Salsa
    • Carne Asada
    • Southwest Salad
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    • Use thick tortillas or store-bought tortilla chips. Because you’re going to smother them in salsa, thicker-cut tortillas work best for making these chilaquiles, as they won’t get soggy and fall apart as easily as thinner ones.
    • Cut the tortillas evenly. To ensure that your tortilla chips cook evenly with a consistent crispy texture, cut the tortillas into similar-sized triangles.
    • Toast or fry the tortillas. We toasted the tortillas in the oven but you can also fry them in oil. Toasting in the oven is a healthier option but frying will make them crispier.
    • Add toppings before serving. It's best to add the fresh toppings just before serving. This helps retain their texture and prevents them from becoming soggy.
    • Serve immediately. Chilaquiles verdes are at their best when served immediately as this ensures that the tortilla chips still have their crunchiness texture.

    Storing and Freezing Instructions

    How to Store

    You can store leftover chilaquiles verdes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    How to Reheat

    Reheat in the oven at 350℉ for 10-15 minutes or in a skillet over the stove on medium heat until warmed through.

    How to Freeze

    Chilaquiles verdes isn’t very freezer-friendly once assembled, but you can freeze the sauce, tortillas, and toppings separately in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months and then assemble and cook when you’re ready.

    More Mexican Recipes

    • 30 Best Mexican Recipes
    • Homemade Taquitos
    • Huevos Rancheros
    • Sheet Pan Nachos
    • Baked Chicken Quesadillas
    • Beef Taco Salad

    Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

    Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more recipe updates.

    Print

    Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com

    Chilaquiles Verdes


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    No reviews

    • Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 4-6 servings
    • Diet: Vegetarian
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and topped with your favorite toppings. This classic Mexican breakfast dish is comforting, delicious, and flavorful — and unbelievably easy to make!


    Ingredients

    For the tortilla chips:

    • 12 corn tortillas
    • 2 teaspoons cooking oil spray

    For the sauce:

    • 1 small onion, coarsely chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice
    • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
    • 2 cups salsa verde (green Mexican sauce), homemade or store-bought
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

    For the toppings:

    • sour cream or lime crema
    • ¼ cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
    • 2 tablespoons red onion, diced
    • 1 avocado, diced
    • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped

    Instructions

    Bake the tortilla chips:

    1. Preheat the oven to 400F.
    2. Stack the corn tortillas (4 pieces at a time) on top of each other and evenly cut them into eighths. Each tortilla will turn into 8 small triangle wedges.
    3. To crisp them up, lightly spray both sides of the tortillas with cooking spray oil and place them in a single layer on two large baking sheets.
    4. Bake until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes on each side. Set aside.

    Make the sauce:

    1. In a blender, add onion, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, cilantro, and salsa verde. Blend until smooth, about 1 minute.
    2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot and sizzling, about 1 minute. Slowly pour in the sauce mixture and stir well. Bring it to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let the sauce simmer for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt to taste. Turn off the heat and set aside.

    Assemble the chilaquiles:

    1. Add the baked tortilla chips on top of the sauce and toss well to coat.
    2. Add your favorite toppings including a drizzle or dollops of sour cream, cotija cheese, onion, avocado, and cilantro. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    How to store: You can store leftover chilaquiles verdes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    How to reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350℉ for 10-15 minutes or in a skillet over the stove on medium heat until warmed through.

    How to freeze: Chilaquiles verdes isn’t very freezer-friendly once assembled, but you can freeze the sauce, tortillas, and toppings separately in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months and then assemble and cook when you’re ready.

    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Category: Breakfast
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Mexican

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    Chilaquiles Verdes feature crispy baked tortilla chips smothered in a homemade sauce loaded with salsa verde and features classic Mexican toppings. | aheadofthyme.com
    Chilaquiles Verdes
    150 Shares
    Pin150
    Yum
    Share
    Tweet
    More
    « Beet Salad
    Caprese Sandwich »

    Stay Updated

    Subscribe now to receive all the latest recipes, tips and news directly to your inbox.
    * indicates required
    How often would you like to receive recipe updates

    Food Blogger Business School | foodbloggerbusinessschool.com

    Food Blogger Business School

    A step-by-step program that teaches food bloggers how to grow and scale their blogs into a full-time business

    in less time and without posting endless content until you burn out.

    LEARN MORE

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome!

    Quick and easy recipes for the everyday home cook, using fresh, seasonal and wholesome ingredients -- from healthy meals to take-out to comfort foods. | aheadofthyme.com

    Hi, we're Sam and Dan! We like to help busy people eat real food that tastes good. Here, you can find hundreds of delicious, quick and easy recipes, using quality and wholesome ingredients. Read more about us

    Stay Updated

    Subscribe now to receive all the latest recipes, tips and news directly to your inbox.
    * indicates required
    How often would you like to receive recipe updates

    Food Blogger Business School | foodbloggerbusinessschool.com

    Food Blogger Business School

    A step-by-step program that teaches food bloggers how to grow and scale their blogs into a full-time business

    in less time and without posting endless content until you burn out.

    LEARN MORE

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About Ahead of Thyme

    Hello and welcome! I'm Sam -- the founder of Ahead of Thyme, where we help busy people eat real food that tastes good. Here, you will find hundreds of delicious, quick and easy recipes, using quality and wholesome ingredients. So stay a while, browse around, and make something tasty for dinner tonight.

    • RSS Feed
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Work with Us
    • Shop
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • Food Blogger Business School
    • Newsletter

    Browse

    • 60+ Easy Dinners
    • 60+ Chicken Recipes
    • 25+ Ground Beef Recipes
    • 40+ Pasta Recipes
    • 50+ Bread Recipes
    • 25+ Air Fryer Recipes
    • Dessert

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

    Copyright © 2023 Ahead of Thyme Incorporated