Mexican Style Red Chicken Chilaquiles Recipe

Mexican Style Red Chicken Chilaquiles is a vibrant and comforting dish that combines crispy tortillas, tender shredded chicken, and a rich tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic spices.

Baked to perfection with a generous topping of melted cheese, this dish offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors, making it a perfect choice for a hearty meal. Serve alongside homemade nachos and a refreshing sweet potato and green bean salad for a complete dining experience.

Mexican Style Red Chicken Chilaquiles Recipe

Ingredients

2 Tortillas

2 tablespoons Cheese

150 grams Chicken breasts

1 sprig Dried Thyme Leaves

1 Onion , chopped

2 cloves Garlic , Chopped

For the Tomato sauce

5 Tomatoes , chopped

2 Onion , chopped

6 cloves Garlic , chopped

2 tablespoons Tomato Ketchup

2 teaspoons Red Chilli powder

3 teaspoons Dried oregano

2 teaspoons Dried Thyme Leaves

1 teaspoon Sugar

Salt , to taste

Instructions:

To begin making the Mexican Style Red Chilaquiles Recipe, preheat the oven to 180 degree Celsius for about 10 minutes.

During that process, place your tortillas on a grill tray and place it inside the oven for about 5 minutes till it crisps up.

Once the tortillas crisps up you can rest it outside till it cools down and break them into big pieces and keep it aside.

Heat another saucepan with 1 1/2 cup of water and add onions, garlic, and a sprig of thyme to boil. After 10 minutes you can add your chicken pieces into the boiling water and leave it to simmer.

Boil till the chicken is cooked, this will take about 20 minutes. Switch off the heat, drain the broth over a muslin cloth and save it later for the tomato sauce.

Take out the chicken pieces and start shredding them into thin strips and keep it aside.

Meanwhile, add tomatoes, onion, and garlic into a mixer and grind it into a smooth paste.

Heat a saucepan with little oil, once it is hot, pour the paste over the saucepan and you will hear a sizzling sound, stir well.

Add all the seasonings, and cover it with the lid and cook for about 10 minutes. The curry will slowly start to brighten up.

Open the lid and add the chicken broth that you had saved up and adjust the consistency.

Cook for another 10 minutes until it thickens up. Switch off the heat, add your shredded chicken and tortilla chips and coat them well.

Pour this mixture onto a baking ceramic tray, sprinkle with cheese on top and place them in the oven and bake till the cheese melts.

Serve the Mexican Style Red Chilaquiles Recipe with some more Homemade Nachos by the side and also enjoy it with a bowl of Sweet Potato & Green Bean Salad.

Notes:

Preparation of Tortillas: The tortillas are crisped in the oven before being broken into pieces. This step ensures they retain their texture when combined with the sauce and chicken, adding a crunchy element to the dish.

Chicken Cooking Method: The chicken is simmered in a broth flavored with onion, garlic, and thyme, imparting a subtle aromatic base to the dish. Shredding the chicken afterward ensures it mixes well with the other ingredients and absorbs the flavors of the tomato sauce.

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Tomato Sauce: The tomato sauce forms the flavorful base of the dish, created by blending fresh tomatoes, onion, and garlic into a smooth paste. Cooking this paste with spices like red chili powder, oregano, and thyme enhances its depth of flavor, complementing the other ingredients.

Assembly and Baking: Once the sauce is prepared and seasoned, it’s combined with the shredded chicken and crisped tortilla pieces. This mixture is then baked with cheese on top, allowing all the flavors to meld together while creating a gooey, cheesy topping that adds richness to the dish.

Serving Suggestions: The dish is served with additional cheese, alongside homemade nachos and a sweet potato and green bean salad, providing a balanced and complete meal with contrasting textures and flavors.

Adjustments: The recipe allows for flexibility in adjusting the consistency of the sauce by adding reserved chicken broth as needed, ensuring the dish achieves the desired texture and flavor profile.

Flavor Balance: The combination of spices, herbs, and tomato ketchup in the sauce ensures a harmonious balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors characteristic of Mexican cuisine.

Cooking Techniques: Techniques such as simmering the chicken in flavored broth and properly seasoning the tomato sauce are essential for developing depth and complexity in the dish.

Presentation: The final dish is baked until the cheese melts and turns golden brown, enhancing its visual appeal and enticing aroma, making it suitable for serving at gatherings or family meals.

Versatility: This recipe can be customized with additional toppings such as sour cream, avocado slices, or cilantro, allowing for personalization according to taste preferences while maintaining the dish’s authentic Mexican flavors.

Nutrition Information:

YIELDS: 4 | SERVING SIZE: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are chilaquiles?

Chilaquiles are a traditional Mexican dish made from fried tortillas simmered in a sauce, often served with various toppings like cheese, chicken, and beans.

Can I use store-bought tortilla chips instead of making my own?

Yes, you can use store-bought tortilla chips if you prefer.

However, homemade tortillas give a fresher taste and texture to the dish.

How can I make this dish spicier?

Increase the amount of red chili powder or add chopped fresh jalapeños or serrano peppers to the tomato sauce for more heat.

Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, boneless chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts.

They will add a slightly richer flavor to the dish.

Can I prepare the tomato sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the tomato sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before using it in the recipe.

What can I substitute for tomato ketchup in the sauce?

You can substitute tomato ketchup with tomato paste or tomato puree.

Adjust the sweetness with a pinch of sugar if needed.

How do I store leftovers of this dish?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through before serving.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, you can omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make it vegetarian.

Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for more flavor.

What are good side dishes to serve with chilaquiles?

Chilaquiles are often served with refried beans, Mexican rice, guacamole, or a fresh salad like Sweet Potato & Green Bean Salad.

Can I freeze this dish?

While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze leftovers without the cheese topping.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven until heated through before adding cheese and serving.