Chiles Rellenos (Fried Chilis stuffed with Cheese)

Chile Relleno on a plate with sauce garnished with chopped tomatoes and cilantro

I judge Mexican restaurants by their Chiles Rellenos

One of my all-time favorite dishes is Chiles Rellenos. I can’t get enough of them.  Sure a good batch of enchiladas will soothe your body and soul (especially when suffering from a hangover) and sizzling fajitas will perk your attitude but Chiles Rellenos will take you to another level of happiness.  I will always order and judge how good a Mexican restaurant in the US  is based on how they made their Chiles Rellenos.

I know some people prefer a big green chili lightly coated in crispy batter and stuffed with meat.  Although that kind of Chile Relleno is delicious, I prefer a green chili stuffed with oodles of melted cheese and dipped in a generous amount of light and airy batter.  Smothered them in a nicely spicy tomato sauce to add extra flavor and OH MY GOD. That’s the good stuff.  That’s what I want to devour.

If you are like me and feel the same way about Chiles Rellenos, then this is the recipe for you.   Oven-roasted green chilis stuffed to the brim with Monterey Jack cheese, then dipped in a light and airy egg batter and fried to crispy perfection.  Smother it in a spicy tomato sauce and it doesn’t get any better than this.  

raw green chilis in a colander
Wash your green chiles. I like to use a mild green chili for this like Anaheim or Hatch.
roasted green chilis on a grill
Cook chilies in the oven on high heat until they begin to blister (this should take about 5-10 min). Take out chilies and place in Ziploc bag or Tupperware container with a tight lid. Seal up the hot chilies in bag or container and allow to steam until chilies are soft (around 20min).
chilies stuffed with cheese
When cool enough to handle, remove the waxy skin from the pepper then cut into the side of the green chilies and scoop out seeds with a teaspoon.  If you are feeling like you need the heat, leave the remaining seeds in the pepper. Carefully stuff green chilies with cheese and set them aside.
stuffed chiles dipped in batter and frying in pan
Add a generous amount of oil to a non-stick frying pan and heat over medium/high heat. When the oil is hot, dip stuffed green chile into the egg batter and place it in a frying pan.  Feel free to have a spoonful of batter on top to cover a chile that is left exposed. Fry until golden on the bottom then gently flip.

 

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Chile Relleno on a plate with sauce garnished with chopped tomatoes and cilantro

Chiles Rellenos (Fried Chilis stuffed with Cheese)


  • Author: Spicepaw
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 chiles rellenos 1x

Description

Chiles rellenos with a green chile stuffed with cheese, dipped in an egg batter and fried to a golden brown then smothered in a spicy tomato sauce. #meatless #cheese #spicyrecipes


Ingredients

Scale
Chiles Rellenos

8 green chilies (I like to use a mild green chili for this like Anaheim or Hatch but the choice is up to you)

100120 g/3.5-4.2 oz Monterey Jack Cheese ( or whichever cheese you prefer)

4 Eggs (at room temperature)

2 tbsp flour

Oil for frying

Spicy Tomato Sauce

2 medium red tomatoes

1 tbsp chopped shallots

1 clove garlic

a small handful of cilantro

2 tsp Mexican Chile powder

1 tsp cumin

1 cup chicken broth


Instructions

Chiles Rellenos

  1. Wash and dry green chilies and place in an oven on high heat (250C/500C).
  2. Cook chilies in the oven on high heat until they begin to blister (this should take about 5-10 min).
  3. Take out chilies and place in a Ziploc bag or Tupperware container with a tight lid.
  4. Seal up the hot chilies in a bag or container and allow to steam until chilies are soft (around 20min).
  5. When cool enough to handle, remove the waxy skin from the pepper then cut into the side of the green chilies and scoop out seeds with a teaspoon.  If you are feeling like you need the heat, leave the remaining seeds in the pepper.
  6. Carefully stuff green chilies with cheese and set aside.
  7. Crack eggs open and separate the egg yolks from the egg whites.
  8. Add flour to yolks and mix thoroughly until smooth with no lumps.
  9. Add a pinch of salt to the egg whites and beat with a whisk or mixer until stiff peaks are formed.
  10. Gently fold in flour and yolk mixture into egg whites.
  11. Add a generous amount of oil to a non-stick frying pan and heat over medium/high heat.
  12. When the oil is hot, dip stuffed green chile into the egg batter and place it in a frying pan.  Feel free to have a spoonful of batter on top to cover a chile that is left exposed.
  13. Fry until golden on the bottom then gently flip.
  14. When golden brown on both sides, remove from oil.
  15. Top with spicy tomato sauce and place in the oven for a minute or two.
  16. Serve hot and garnish with finely chopped tomato and fresh cilantro.
Spicy Tomato Sauce
  1. In blender or food processor, combine tomato, shallots, garlic, cilantro, Mexican Chile powder, cumin and chicken broth together until smooth.
  2. Cook in a saucepan over medium/medium-high heat until flavors have blended together and the sauce has reduced by about a quarter.
  3. Salt and pepper to taste if needed.
  4. Serve over chiles rellenos and enjoy.
  • Prep Time: 30
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Category: Main
  • Method: frying
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: Chiles rellenos, Mexican, chile, cheese, spicy

Chiles Rellenos in a bowl with sauce and garnished with chopped tomatoes and cilantro

 

More Tex-Mex recipes to make at home:

Dinner in a Hurry Spicy Chicken Fajitas

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas with Red Sauce

Vegetarian Bean and Cheese Crispy Burritos

 

Author: Natasha

I'm just a busy expat mom who has a psychological need to feed people. I enjoy learning about new cultures, (especially the food) and enjoy experimenting with new ingredients and spices

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