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–+ servings
Close up of authentic homemade chilaquiles with homemade red sauce.

Authentic Homemade Chilaquiles Recipe

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: breakfast, eggs, Mexican recipes, tortilla chips
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Cost: $15
The real star of this recipe is the homemade red chile sauce. It brings depth, richness, and that unmistakable bold flavor that makes chilaquiles so crave-worthy. We highly recommend making the sauce the day before if you can. 
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Ingredients

Red Chile Sauce Ingredients:

  • 20 dried California chiles
  • 3 dried ancho chiles
  • 4 dried Guajillo chiles
  • 3 cloves garlic peeled
  • 1/2 onion quartered
  • 4 cups chicken broth made with lots of Better than Bouillon
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano crumbled
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt to taste

Assembly Ingredients:

  • 6 cups tortilla chips
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 eggs fried
  • 1 avocado sliced (optional but recommended)
  • 1 Serrano pepper sliced
  • 1 bunch cilantro chopped

Instructions

Red Sauce Instructions:

  • Make the sauce a day ahead, if possible, and refrigerate to allow flavors to meld.
  • Rinse dried chiles under cold water and remove stems with scissors.
  • Cover chiles with boiling water and weigh them down to keep submerged. Soak for 20 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Toast the chiles until fragrant.
  • Roast the onion and garlic on a sheet pan at 400°F for about 10 minutes, until slightly charred.
  • Drain chiles and blend with onion, garlic, and some chicken broth until very smooth.
  • In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil and cook flour until golden, about 5 minutes.
  • Add chile puree, whisking until smooth. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Stir in vinegar, oregano, and salt. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add remaining broth as needed. Taste and adjust salt; add a pinch of sugar if the sauce is too bitter. Add more bouillon if needed for flavor.

Assembly Instructions:

  • In a large pan, heat the red chile sauce over medium-high heat.
  • Gently fold in tortilla chips and cook for about 2 minutes, until slightly softened but not soggy.
  • Sprinkle cheese over the top and let it melt slightly.
  • Transfer to a serving platter.
  • Top with fried eggs, avocado slices, cilantro, and fresh serrano peppers.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy every bite of this rich, comforting classic.