Chilaquiles Rojos
Crunchy tortilla chips simmered in a bright, earthy red salsa until they soften just enough to hold their shape. Topped with crema, crumbled cheese, and a perfect fried egg, this classic Mexican comfort dish turns stale tortillas into a satisfying breakfast or brunch that comes together in under 30 minutes.
For 4 servings
- prep
Prepare the tortillas.
1.Cut each corn tortilla into 8 triangular wedges.2.Spread the wedges out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Let them sit uncovered for 30-60 minutes to dry slightly, or use day-old tortillas.TIPSlightly stale tortillas fry better — they absorb less oil and stay crispier longer in the salsa. - boil · ~10 min
Simmer the chilis and tomatoes.
1.Remove stems and seeds from the dried guajillo and ancho chilis.2.Place chilis, quartered tomatoes, and peeled garlic cloves in a medium saucepan.3.Add enough water to cover everything. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until chilis are soft and pliable. - mix · ~5 min
Blend the red salsa.
1.Using a slotted spoon, transfer the softened chilis, tomatoes, and garlic to a blender.2.Add the roughly chopped half onion, dried oregano, ground cumin, black pepper, and 0.25 teaspoon salt.3.Pour in 0.5 cup of the cooking liquid and blend until completely smooth.4.Taste and adjust seasoning. Set salsa aside.TIPBlend until totally smooth — a grainy salsa won't coat the chips evenly. - fry · ~12 min
Fry the tortilla chips.
1.Heat 0.75 cup oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 350°F).2.Fry tortilla wedges in batches, a single layer at a time, for 2-3 minutes until golden and crisp.3.Use tongs to transfer chips to a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt while hot.4.Repeat with remaining tortilla wedges. Carefully discard or reserve most of the frying oil, leaving only 1 tablespoon in the skillet.TIPDon't crowd the pan — overcrowding drops oil temperature and makes chips greasy. - simmer · ~7 min
Simmer the salsa and coat the chips.
1.In the same skillet with the reserved 1 tablespoon oil, carefully pour in the blended red salsa. It will sizzle.2.Bring the salsa to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and deepened in color.3.Add the fried tortilla chips to the skillet and gently fold them into the salsa until evenly coated.4.Simmer for 1-2 minutes only — just long enough for the chips to soften slightly while still holding their shape.TIPDon't over-simmer the chips. They should be tender with a bit of chew, not mushy. The salsa does the work fast. - fry · ~3 min
Fry the eggs.
1.In a separate nonstick skillet, heat a small drizzle of oil over medium heat.2.Crack eggs into the skillet, season with remaining salt, and fry sunny-side up until whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes.TIPCook eggs while the salsa simmers so everything finishes at the same time. Runny yolks create a rich sauce when broken. - assemble · ~2 min
Plate the chilaquiles.
1.Divide the chilaquiles among four plates.2.Top each serving with a fried egg.3.Scatter the sliced onion, sliced radishes, and chopped cilantro over the top.4.Drizzle generously with crema and finish with crumbled queso fresco. - serve
Serve immediately.
Bring plates to the table right away while the chips are still warm and the eggs are runny. Accompany with refried beans or sliced avocado on the side if desired.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Use day-old tortillas for frying — they absorb less oil and stay crunchier in the salsa.
- 2Fry tortilla wedges in small batches to keep oil temperature steady and chips crisp.
- 3Toast dried chiles in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before simmering to deepen their flavor.
- 4Blend the salsa until completely smooth so it evenly coats every chip.
- 5Add chips to the salsa and simmer for only 1–2 minutes — stop while they still have a slight crunch.
- 6Cook the eggs right as the salsa simmers so both finish at the same time for a hot plate.
- 7Store leftover chilaquiles and salsa components separately to keep chips from getting soggy.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegetarian
Omit the fried egg and add black beans or refried beans for extra protein — the base recipe is already vegetarian.
high proteinHigh-protein
Add shredded cooked chicken or pulled pork to the salsa while it simmers, turning this into a hearty main dish.
veganVegan
Skip the egg, crema, and queso fresco; use vegan crema or cashew cream and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or vegan cotija.
low oilLow-oil
Use store-bought baked tortilla chips or air-fried chips instead of frying to reduce oil by nearly 75%.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Lycopene
The tomatoes in the red salsa provide lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart and skin health.
Good Source of Vitamin C
Radishes and fresh cilantro add a boost of vitamin C, supporting immune function.
High in Fiber
Corn tortillas are a good source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion and helps keep you full.
Contains Capsaicin
Dried chiles contain capsaicin, a compound known for anti-inflammatory effects and metabolism support.
Protein from Eggs
A fried egg on top adds high-quality protein and essential amino acids to balance the meal.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, use thick restaurant-style chips to avoid sogginess, and reduce simmer time to about 30 seconds.



