Chilaquiles Recipe: A Southwestern Delight ๐ถ๏ธ๐
Overview:
Chilaquiles is a flavorful dish perfect for utilizing leftover chicken or enhancing a whole roasted chicken. Whether you’re seeking a quick meal or a delightful party appetizer, this recipe fits the bill. Bursting with Southwestern U.S. flavors, it’s a culinary adventure for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. Let’s dive into creating this mouthwatering delight in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients:
Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 1/2 | Garlic cloves |
| 4 | Fresh cilantro |
| 1 | Jalapeno pepper |
| 1/4 | Monterey Jack pepper cheese |
| 1 | Extra-sharp cheddar cheese |
| 1/2 | Scallion |
| 1 | Ground cumin |
| 2 | Ground coriander |
| 1 | Farmer cheese |
| 1/2 | Bag of tortilla chips |
| 3 cups | Cooked chicken, shredded |
Instructions:
Let’s get cooking:
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Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 450ยฐF (230ยฐC). This ensures it’s ready when you need it.
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Prepare Sauce: In a food processor or blender, combine tomatillos, garlic, jalapeno, and cilantro. Blend until smooth, creating a vibrant green sauce.
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Sautรฉ Aromatics: Heat oil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add ground cumin and coriander, allowing them to infuse the oil for about 30 seconds.
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Cook Sauce: Pour the pureed mixture into the saucepan. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the sauce slightly dulls and darkens, approximately 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Prepare Chicken: In a mixing bowl, toss the shredded chicken with half of the prepared sauce, half of the Monterey Jack/cheddar cheese blend, farmer cheese, and chopped scallions. This creates a flavorful chicken mixture.
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Coat Chips: Take the tortilla chips and toss them with the remaining sauce until evenly coated. This ensures every chip is packed with flavor.
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Layering: In a rectangular baking dish, start by layering half of the coated tortilla chips on the bottom. Next, spread the prepared chicken mixture evenly over the chips. Add another layer of tortilla chips on top of the chicken.
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Cheesy Finish: Sprinkle the remaining Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese blend generously over the top layer of chips. This creates a gooey, golden crust when baked.
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Bake: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven. Bake until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly, typically around 10-15 minutes.
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Serve: Once baked to perfection, remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve the Chilaquiles hot, garnished with additional chopped cilantro if desired.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 486.8 per serving
- Fat Content: 29.8g
- Saturated Fat Content: 11.9g
- Cholesterol Content: 122.5mg
- Sodium Content: 339.3mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 12.6g
- Fiber Content: 3.7g
- Sugar Content: 7.5g
- Protein Content: 42.5g
Enjoy Your Chilaquiles Fiesta! ๐
Now that you’ve mastered this delightful Chilaquiles recipe, get ready to impress your guests or enjoy a cozy meal at home. With its bold flavors and easy preparation, it’s sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire. So, gather your ingredients and let’s embark on a Southwestern flavor adventure together!
