Spicy Chipotle Chilaquiles (3 Ways!) - A bit like a cross between enchiladas and nachos, this version of the easy Mexican dish features healthier baked (not fried) corn tortillas bathed in a spicy chipotle-tomato sauce. Then top individual portions to your heart's delight - easily customized for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores!
Chee-la-KEE-lehs.

That’s how you pronounce the easiest dinner you’ve made in a long, long time.

Well, I guess I’m actually not sure what you’ve been making in your kitchen (how creepy would that be?!) – so I probably should rephrase. What I can say is that these Spicy Chipotle Chilaquiles are definitely the easiest dinner I’ve made in a long, long time!

chilaquiles-3-ways6

So, first off – do you know what chilaquiles are?! I didn’t. I’m the first to admit I’ve been hearing about them for awhile, but, yep, I really wasn’t sure what they were all about.

Well, they’re a traditional Mexican dish made with fried tortillas that are simmered in a chile-tomato sauce. They’re sort of a cross between enchiladas and nachos. And not only are they super simple to make, as it turns out, they’re also incredibly adaptable for multi-vore households. You can make ’em vegan, vegetarian, and/or meaty for the omnivores. Plus, as long as you choose 100% corn tortillas, they’re already gluten-free!

Here’s how I make Spicy Chipotle Chilaquiles (3 ways)!

First, the chips.

Spicy Chipotle Chilaquiles (3 Ways!) - A bit like a cross between enchiladas and nachos, this version of the easy Mexican dish features healthier baked (not fried) corn tortillas bathed in a spicy chipotle-tomato sauce. Then top individual portions to your heart's delight - easily customized for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores!

I brush corn tortillas with olive oil, cut them into wedges, and bake them until crisp. Meanwhile, the sauce simmers.

Spicy Chipotle Chilaquiles (3 Ways!) - A bit like a cross between enchiladas and nachos, this version of the easy Mexican dish features healthier baked (not fried) corn tortillas bathed in a spicy chipotle-tomato sauce. Then top individual portions to your heart's delight - easily customized for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores!

In order to keep these on the healthier side, I cut fresh corn tortillas into wedges, brush them with a little olive oil,  then bake them until crisp. The tomato sauce is ready just about the time the chips are – just stir them in and the base of your chilaquiles is done!

Spicy Chipotle Chilaquiles (3 Ways!) - A bit like a cross between enchiladas and nachos, this version of the easy Mexican dish features healthier baked (not fried) corn tortillas bathed in a spicy chipotle-tomato sauce. Then top individual portions to your heart's delight - easily customized for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores!

Now it’s all about the toppings – avocado, sliced radishes, onions, fresh cilantro, maybe a smattering of warmed black beans for the vegans. Maybe an egg and a sprinkle of cojita or cheddar cheese for the vegetarians. And perhaps some shredded or cubed chicken for the omnivores.

Spicy Chipotle Chilaquiles (3 Ways!) - A bit like a cross between enchiladas and nachos, this version of the easy Mexican dish features healthier baked (not fried) corn tortillas bathed in a spicy chipotle-tomato sauce. Then top individual portions to your heart's delight - easily customized for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores!

Spicy Chipotle Chilaquiles (3 Ways!) - A bit like a cross between enchiladas and nachos, this version of the easy Mexican dish features healthier baked (not fried) corn tortillas bathed in a spicy chipotle-tomato sauce. Then top individual portions to your heart's delight - easily customized for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores!

Mix and match however you like and dinner is served quicker than you can say chee-la-KEE-lehs!

Spicy Chipotle Chilaquiles (3 Ways!) - A bit like a cross between enchiladas and nachos, this version of the easy Mexican dish features healthier baked (not fried) corn tortillas bathed in a spicy chipotle-tomato sauce. Then top individual portions to your heart's delight - easily customized for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores!

5 from 1 vote

Spicy Chipotle Chilaquiles (3+ Ways!)

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Author: Kare
A bit like a cross between enchiladas and nachos, this version of the easy Mexican dish features healthier baked (not fried) corn tortillas bathed in a spicy chipotle-tomato sauce. Then top individual portions to your heart's delight to make them vegan, vegetarian, or carnivorous!

Ingredients

For the baked tortilla chips:

  • 12 6-inch corn tortillas
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Couple pinches kosher salt

For the sauce:

  • 1 28-ounce can whole or diced tomatoes (fire-roasted are tastiest)
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion (diced (about 1/2 cup))
  • 2 medium cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (seeds removed (unless you want them REALLY spicy then leave them))
  • 2 teaspoons adobo sauce (from the can of chipotles)
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (plus more to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (not extra virgin)
  • 1/2 - 1 cup water or vegetable broth (if needed)

Toppings:

    For the vegans

    • Black beans
    • Avocado
    • Corn
    • Sliced radishes
    • Sliced sweet or red onion
    • Cilantro

    For the vegetarians

    • All the vegan toppings +
    • Shredded medium cheddar
    • Cojito cheese
    • Sour cream
    • Fried egg

    For the omnivores

    • All the vegan & vegetarian toppings +
    • Cubed cooked chicken or shredded chicken

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush tortillas on one side with olive oil, then stack them. Cut the stack into 6 or 8 wedges (your preference). Lay in a single layer on two large baking sheets and sprinkle with a little kosher salt. Bake until crisp, turning them over about 3/4 of the way through the cooking time, 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
    • Meanwhile, make the sauce. Place tomatoes, onion, garlic, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper in the pitcher of a blender. Puree until smooth.
    • Set a large skillet over medium heat. Add the 1 tablespoon olive oil. When hot, pour in the sauce and stir. Cook, stirring occasionally, until bubbling and darker, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce coats the front and back of the spoon, about 10 minutes more. If the sauce seems too thick (it should be about the consistency of canned tomato sauce), add a splash of water or vegetable broth until it reaches the right consistency.
    • Stir in the tortillas. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired. Spoon onto plates and top with assorted toppings to customize them however you like!

    Notes

    Note for those on a gluten-free diet:

    Please make sure your corn tortillas are 100% gluten-free.
    Adapted from New York Times  / Martha Rose Shulman
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