Chilaquiles is an authentic Mexican meal that originated in 1898 and is still a staple for many families today. In its most basic form, Chilaquiles consist of fried tortilla strips that are simmered in salsa or mole to soften them up. It is a very versatile dish but it is most commonly served for breakfast or brunch.
Depending on where you are located, will greatly determine the type of Chilaquiles you eat. For instance, in Mexico City, the tortillas get simmered in green tomatillo sauce. However, in Central Mexico, crispy tortilla chips are preferred. Therefore, they do not simmer the tortillas in salsa, but rather pour the salsa over the chips right before they are severed.
The owner of San Jose’s Original, Zenovio, recently recounted his childhood when his mother used to make Chilaquiles. Zenovio said that his mother usually made tortillas for breakfast. If there were any leftover pieces, she would then take them outside and lay them in the sun to dry out. If she made tortillas at lunch or dinner, any leftovers would also be set out to dry.
Once the tortillas were dried up, she would crunch them up into a pan and add some broth (sometimes, even chicken too!). On top, she would put salsa and cheese. They used this as a meal or side dish, snack or even served for breakfast with eggs on top.
Have you ever eaten Chilaquiles at San Jose’s Original or growing up? Comment below with your memories of this dish, we’d love to hear from you!
FAQs
Chilaquiles are a traditional Mexican dish dating back centuries to the early Aztecs.
Who typically eats chilaquiles? ›
This dish is found all throughout Mexico, and at its most basic, it consists of fried tortilla chips covered with a red or green salsa, which makes the chip soft. Chilaquiles are commonly served with a side of refried beans and are eaten quite regularly in most Mexican homes.
Are chilaquiles supposed to be crunchy? ›
The best chilaquiles (the kind we're after) aren't so much wet as moist, and aren't so much limp as "gently softened until the chips retain just a bit of crunch but dissolve in your mouth into a mix of comforting starch and hot salsa." But still, when it comes down to it, chilaquiles are essentially soggy nachos—an ...
What are the variations of chilaquiles in the United States? ›
Now that you know totopos, it's time to talk about the wide variety of sauces:
- Green chilaquiles. ...
- Red chilaquiles. ...
- Mayan chilaquiles. ...
- Low-fat vegan chilaquiles. ...
- Chilaquiles en torta, chilango style.
Even in Mexico (or is it especially in Mexico?), chilaquiles—the dish of fried corn tortillas soaked in hot salsa—are known as a cure for the common hangover. It's got a number of things going for it.
Who invented the tortilla in Mexican cuisine? ›
The Origin Story of the Tortilla
The word tortilla actually originates from the Spanish word tort meaning “cake”. The food itself, a thin flatbread made from dried and finely ground corn, can be traced back many thousands of years to people of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico.
At what time of the day would you eat chilaquiles in Mexico? ›
The truth is you can eat chilaquiles any time of the day, but a good chilaquiles breakfast is always welcome all over Mexico.
How are you supposed to eat chilaquiles? ›
Chilaquiles can be topped or served with anything your little hungry heart desires. Scrambled or fried eggs, shredded chicken, sour cream, pico de gallo, queso fresco, or avocado are all great options. I like to place out bowls of toppings so my guests can choose what they like.
What food is similar to chilaquiles? ›
Migas are a traditional Tex-Mex dish. In Mexico, they are almost the same thing. Both are cooked with shredded pieces of corn tortilla; however, chilaquiles are cooked with a tomato based sauce and sometimes sour cream is added. Migas, on the other hand, are simply shredded pieces of corn cooked with eggs.
What is the difference between chilaquiles and migas? ›
But there's a difference in that regard: migas usually feature short strips of fried tortilla, while chilaquiles use what are essentially tortilla chips. There are other distinctions too. The tortillas in migas are mixed with scrambled eggs; chilaquiles' are drenched in salsa.
It's delicious and makes a wonderful hearty breakfast, but it's also great for dinner. We like to add over easy eggs or shredded chicken and we also vary our chilaquiles between red and green, where red = enchilada sauce and green= tomatillo salsa.
Do you eat chilaquiles with your hands? ›
How do you eat chilaquiles? Chilaquiles are best served immediately while the tortilla chips are still a bit stiff and the sauce is warm, topped with lots of delicious Mexican toppings and side of beans. Pick up a fork (or spoon) and dive in to get all the flavors in one mouthful!
What is an interesting fact about chilaquiles? ›
Chilaquiles is an authentic Mexican meal that originated in 1898 and is still a staple for many families today. In its most basic form, Chilaquiles consist of fried tortilla strips that are simmered in salsa or mole to soften them up. It is a very versatile dish but it is most commonly served for breakfast or brunch.
Did Aztecs eat chilaquiles? ›
Now known as a staple in Mexican cuisine (as well as brunch culture in SoCal and Texas), Chilaquiles goes all the way back to the Aztecs. In fact, the word “chilaquiles” comes from the Nahuatl (Uto-Aztecan) language which means chile water.
What do chilaquiles symbolize? ›
Cultural Significance
Chilaquiles are more than just a meal; they are a cultural icon deeply ingrained in Mexican life. They are a quintessential part of breakfast tables, family gatherings, and local restaurants, symbolizing comfort and home-cooking.
What country has chilaquiles? ›
Chilaquiles, a traditional Mexican dish, combines simplicity with bold flavors, making it a beloved staple across the country. This delicious ensemble of lightly fried corn tortillas cut into quarters and topped with green or red salsa perfectly embodies the heart and soul of Mexican cuisine.
Where in Mexico did huevos rancheros originate? ›
What's the difference between chilaquiles and Migos? ›
But there's a difference in that regard: migas usually feature short strips of fried tortilla, while chilaquiles use what are essentially tortilla chips. There are other distinctions too. The tortillas in migas are mixed with scrambled eggs; chilaquiles' are drenched in salsa.
What is the Guatemalan dish called chilaquiles? ›
Chilaquilas (wich is not to be confused with the Mexican traditional dish Chilaquiles) is one of my favorite Guatemalan dishes. Guatemalan Chilaquilas are like a tortilla or güisquil (knows as chayote in Mexico or pear squash in the US) grilled cheese.
