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Leftover smoked chicken (or turkey) is the perfect excuse to make this Mexican breakfast! All you need is 20 minutes and a skillet for this perfect carnivore breakfast – Smoked Chicken Chilaquiles Recipe!
Is there anything quite as delicious as sitting around a freshly smoked chicken pulling hunks off to nibble on as the table is cleared and the night lingers on?
There isn’t much more than that I can think of than enjoying good laughs and cold drinks as a meal turns into hours of good company.
There’s even a bonus if we wake the next morning to find a few nibbles smuggled away for leftovers for the next day. Now, there ain’t a damned thing wrong with cold chicken right off the bone.
Admit it, you’ve done it a time or two.
Seriously, if it’s not your jive, we prolly should end this relationship right now…
As much as I love smoking chickens though – I am often left wondering what to make with the leftovers?
This is one of my favorite quick ways to use smoked chicken in a totally savory and quick breakfast. Set the bar and set down this platter in front of the hungry guests at your table (even if it’s just you. Not that I made this entire pan just for myself….)
(Ok, I totally did. And then I took a fork to it. No shame).
What are chilaquiles?
A classic Mexican breakfast staple, and the perfect way to use up yesterday’s tortillas. You roll leftover meat and tortillas in enchilada sauce and cook them up in a pan with fried eggs on top. So, in short, chilaquiles are is a savory brunch masterpiece. Or, in other terms fork worthy breakfast nachos.
You can also make them with salsa verde for a totally different flavor combo!
What you need for this recipe:
- Leftover smoked chicken
- Tortillas
- Enchilada sauce
- Onion and peppers – if you have them on hand
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Fresh scallions, tomatoes, and cilantro to sprinkle over top
How to make these?
You’ll want to start this recipe by turning the oven on and getting it ready to bake. Then in a big cast iron (or other oven safe skillet) roll the chicken in enchilada sauce. You then roll the cut tortillas in the sauce or spend a few extra minutes frying them beforehand in a bit of oil to make them a little more crunchy. Sautee the onions and peppers if you are going to add them.
Layer the tortillas and chicken with the onions and peppers in the skillet like sloppy nachos before sprinkling with cheese and cracking eggs on top. Bake the loaded skillet in the oven until the eggs have set, but the yolks are still runny! This will also toast up any tortillas that are peeking out.
You can top these with a colorful medley of chopped cilantro, red onion, and sliced tomatoes or go right to a bit of pico de gallo but make sure to serve them piping hot!
Add rinsed black or pinto beans for some extra flavor and protein or a slathering of refried beans as a base in the skillet to really take these over the edge!
Twenty minutes to a breakfast worth not wasting plates on. Just grab a fork and dig in.
Besides, it’s just fun to say Chi-la-qui-les.
Need some pointers on smoking that first bird? Check out this Smoked Chicken 101 and be sure to check out the recipe archives for more inspiration on how to use up the leftovers smoked chicken – and every other juicy hunk of meat you can think of. Cuz, I kinda crush on using up the leftovers.
Want more recipes with leftover smoked chicken? Try some of these!
If you’ve tried my this luscious breakfast con huevos please rate the recipe below and let me know where you found it in the comments.
I get inspired by your feedback and comments! You can also join in on the adventures on Instagram @girlcarnivore, Twitter & Facebook.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Leftover smoked chicken chopped
- 5 to 6 Tortillas
- 1 1/2 cup Enchilada Sauce
- 3 to 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup cheese
- 1/2 red onion chopped
- 1/2 red pepper chopped
- handful cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350.
- In a large cast iron skillet, reheat the chicken. Stir in 1 cup of the enchilada sauce to coat and heat through.
- Rip or chop the tortillas into wedges and dip them into the remaining enchilada sauce and add them to the chicken mixture.
- Spoon the remaining enchilada sauce over top. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Make several little nooks into the tortilla and chicken mix and gently lay a cracked egg into each nook.
- Slide the skillet into the oven and bake until the eggs are set.
- Top with cheese and cook a few minutes longer until the cheese melts.
- Top with the peppers, onions, and cilantro.
Notes
Hey, I’m Kita, the Meat Maven, outdoor junkie, campfire connoisseur, adventure-seeking and world traveled recipe developer and photographer behind GirlCarnivore.com. My mission is to break down savory eats and inspire you to get a little grit under your nails while having fun with your food. READ MORE
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