Quick & Zesty Chilaquiles (Breakfast Nachos) Recipe for Mornings

Mexican chilaquiles revolutionize ordinary tortilla chips into a breakfast sensation that awakens every taste bud with vibrant flavors and textures.

Bold and unapologetic, this morning dish combines crispy corn triangles soaked in rich, spicy sauce that softens them just enough to create a perfect balance.

Home cooks love how quickly these nachos come together, making them ideal for lazy weekend mornings or spontaneous gatherings.

The magic happens when crunchy chips meet a luscious sauce, creating a harmonious blend of comfort and excitement.

Layers of complex seasonings dance across your palate, promising a culinary experience that feels both familiar and thrilling.

Authentic ingredients elevate this simple concept into a truly memorable meal that speaks directly to your hunger and heart.

Hungry diners will find themselves captivated by the irresistible combination of crisp, sauce-drenched chips topped with fresh garnishes.

Why Chilaquiles Are the Best Kind of Messy

• Craft Homemade Salsa: Roasting vegetables under the broiler creates a deeply flavorful, smoky sauce that transforms ordinary tomatoes into an extraordinary, restaurant-quality salsa with minimal effort.
• Layer Texture Party: Crispy tortilla chips get perfectly melted with cheese, topped with creamy scrambled eggs and crunchy radish slices, delivering an exciting carnival of textures in every single bite.
• Quick Weekend Brunch Champion: This Mexican-inspired breakfast dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal solution for lazy mornings when you want something impressive yet simple to prepare, guaranteed to wow weekend guests or family.

What You’ll Need for the Perfect Nacho Breakfast

• Onion: Aromatic base that adds depth and sweetness to the sauce.
• Peppers: Provides a smoky and slightly spicy flavor profile.
• Garlic: Enhances overall flavor with its robust and pungent taste.
• Canned Tomatoes: Creates the rich, tangy foundation of the sauce.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing flavors.

• Tortilla Chips: Crispy foundation that serves as the base of the dish.
• Shredded Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds creamy, rich texture.
• Cotija Cheese: Traditional Mexican cheese that provides a salty, crumbly finish.

• Eggs: Primary protein source that creates soft, fluffy scrambled texture.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps prevent eggs from sticking to the pan.
• Jalapeño: Adds fresh, spicy kick to the dish.
• Radish: Provides crisp, peppery contrast and visual appeal.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that brings bright, herbal notes.
• Sour Cream: Creamy topping that cools and balances the spicy elements.

How to Assemble Chilaquiles Without the Sog

Step 1: Roast Vegetable Base

• Onions
• Peppers
• Garlic

Broil 5-10 minutes until vegetables soften and develop slight char.

Step 2: Create Spicy Tomato Sauce

Transfer roasted vegetables to blender with canned tomatoes. For chunkier texture, add half tomatoes initially. Blend until smooth. Pour into saucepan and simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Build Cheesy Tortilla Layer

• Tortilla chips
• Tomato sauce
• Shredded cheese
• Cotija cheese

Repeat layering process once more.

Step 4: Bake Nacho Base

Bake 5-10 minutes until cheese melts completely and becomes bubbly.

Step 5: Prepare Scrambled Eggs

Heat nonstick skillet over medium. Whisk eggs until uniform. Add butter to pan, then pour eggs. Gently scrape and flip eggs for 1-2 minutes until just cooked.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

• Jalapeño slices
• Radish rounds
• Fresh cilantro

Add dollop of sour cream in center. Serve immediately while hot.

Tips for a Crispy, Cheesy Chilaquiles Finish

• Roast Vegetables Strategically: Watch peppers and onions closely while broiling to prevent burning, removing faster-cooking ingredients as needed for even charring.
• Customize Sauce Texture: Control sauce consistency by adding reserved tomatoes for a chunkier version or blending completely for smooth results.
• Layer Chips Evenly: Distribute tortilla chips and cheese in balanced layers to ensure every bite has maximum flavor and crispy texture.
• Scramble Eggs Carefully: Use gentle scraping and flipping technique to create soft, creamy scrambled eggs that won't become dry or rubbery.
• Serve Immediately: Enjoy chilaquiles right after assembly to maintain crisp chip texture and melted cheese's gooey consistency.

Keeping Your Nacho Brunch Fresh for Later

• Refrigerate: Transfer chilaquiles to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep components separate (sauce, chips, toppings) to maintain crispness.
• Reheat Oven: Spread chilaquiles on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and warm at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Add fresh cheese on top before serving to restore melty texture.
• Microwave Caution: Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy chips. If needed, reheat quickly in 30-second intervals, but expect a softer texture compared to oven reheating.

Breakfast Pairings for Crunchy, Saucy Chilaquiles

• Spice Up with Mexican Beer Pairing: Complement the zesty chilaquiles with a crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Corona, which cuts through the rich cheese and balances the spicy sauce.
• Brighten with Fresh Salsa Side: Serve a quick pico de gallo made with fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice to add a refreshing contrast to the warm, cheesy nachos.
• Cool Down with Creamy Avocado Smoothie: Blend ripe avocado, yogurt, honey, and a splash of lime for a smooth, creamy drink that softens the dish's heat and adds extra nutrition.
• Elevate with Breakfast Sangria: Create a light morning sangria using white wine, fresh citrus fruits, and a touch of brandy to make the breakfast feel like a festive celebration.

New Takes on Chilaquiles That Bring the Heat

• Salsa Verde Spin: Replace traditional tomato sauce with tangy green salsa, adding roasted tomatillos and green chiles for a zesty flavor profile.
• Breakfast Protein Boost: Swap scrambled eggs with chorizo or shredded chicken, introducing extra protein and a rich, meaty dimension to the dish.
• Vegetarian Garden Option: Use black beans and roasted vegetables like zucchini and corn instead of eggs, creating a hearty plant-based alternative that maintains the classic chilaquiles texture and warmth.
• Seafood Morning Remix: Top the nachos with sautéed shrimp or flaked white fish, bringing a light, coastal-inspired twist to the traditional breakfast recipe.

Chilaquiles (Breakfast Nachos) Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Savory Mexican chilaquiles bring together crispy tortilla chips smothered in zesty salsa with creamy eggs and fresh toppings. Hearty breakfast nachos deliver comfort and bold flavors that will transport you straight to the heart of traditional Mexican cuisine.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon butter

Cheeses:

• ½ cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 2 tablespoons crumbled cotija or queso fresco cheese

Base and Toppings:

• ½ bag tortilla chips
• 12–16 pickled jalapeño slices
• 1 watermelon radish, thinly sliced
• fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
• sour cream

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Instructions

1. Char vegetables under the broiler, positioning onions, peppers, and garlic on a foil-lined baking sheet, roasting until edges blister and vegetables soften, approximately 5-7 minutes.
2. Transfer roasted vegetables to a blender, adding canned tomatoes. Pulse until creating a smooth, vibrant sauce, adjusting texture by including reserved tomato portions for extra chunkiness.
3. Simmer sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring periodically to prevent splattering, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken for about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Prepare an oven-safe skillet by lightly oiling the surface, then construct layered nachos by arranging tortilla chips as the foundation, generously coating with sauce and alternating cheese varieties between chip layers.
5. Bake the nachos in a preheated 400°F oven until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture, roughly 6-8 minutes.
6. Simultaneously, create scrambled eggs in a nonstick skillet, whisking until color becomes uniform, then cooking with butter, continuously scraping and folding to achieve soft, fluffy texture.
7. Remove nachos from oven, topping with freshly scrambled eggs, then garnish with sliced jalapeños, radish slivers, chopped cilantro, and a substantial dollop of sour cream.
8. Serve immediately while ingredients remain warm and cheese stays melted, ensuring maximum flavor and textural enjoyment.

Notes

• Customize the heat level by adjusting the amount of jalapeños or removing seeds for milder flavor.
• Broiling vegetables intensifies their natural sweetness and creates a smoky depth in the sauce.
• Layer tortilla chips strategically to ensure every bite gets plenty of melted cheese and sauce coverage.
• Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting and richer flavor compared to pre-packaged options.
• Scramble eggs gently to maintain a soft, creamy texture that complements the crispy tortilla chips.
• Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect contrast between hot, crispy chips and melted cheese.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks
• Method: Broiling
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 370mg