Papas Con Chile (Printable)
Tender potatoes simmered in a savory, mildly spicy chile sauce. A comforting Mexican classic.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
02 - 1 medium white onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium roma tomatoes, chopped (optional)
→ Chiles and Spices
05 - 2-3 fresh jalapeño or serrano chiles, seeded and chopped
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
08 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Other
09 - 3 tbsp vegetable oil
10 - 1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth or water
11 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
# How-to Steps:
01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
02 - Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in the garlic, chiles, and tomatoes if using. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and the chiles begin to soften.
04 - Add the diced potatoes, ground cumin, smoked paprika if using, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together until the potatoes are evenly coated in the spice mixture.
05 - Pour in the vegetable broth or water. Cover with a lid and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are fork-tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
06 - Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
07 - Transfer to a serving dish and garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- Papas con chile is one of those dishes that costs almost nothing but eats like a celebration on a Tuesday night.
- The potatoes soak up every drop of the chile sauce and turn crispy on the edges while staying soft inside.
02 -
- Cutting the potatoes too small will turn everything into mush so aim for half inch cubes that hold their shape through the simmer.
- If the liquid evaporates before the potatoes are tender, add another splash of broth or water and keep the lid on.
03 -
- Pat the diced potatoes dry with a clean towel before adding them to the pan because excess moisture prevents browning.
- A cast iron skillet gives the best crispy edges and holds heat evenly throughout the entire cooking process.