Papas Con Chile (Printable)
Tender potatoes in a savory, mildly spicy chile sauce — a comforting Mexican classic.
# What You 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
→ Pantry Staples
09 - 3 tbsp vegetable oil
10 - 1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth or water
11 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
# Steps:
01 - Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers slightly.
02 - Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in the garlic, chiles, and tomatoes (if using). Cook for another 2–3 minutes until fragrant and the tomatoes begin to soften.
04 - Add the diced potatoes, ground cumin, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and pepper. Toss everything together to coat the potatoes evenly in the spices.
05 - Pour in the vegetable broth or water. Cover with a lid and cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are fork-tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It uses simple pantry staples but delivers a depth of flavor that tastes like it took hours.
- The potatoes soak up every bit of the chile sauce, creating crispy edges and creamy centers in every bite.
02 -
- Cutting your potatoes into uniform pieces is the single most important thing you can do for even cooking.
- If the liquid absorbs before the potatoes are tender, add another splash of broth or water and keep going.
03 -
- Pat your diced potatoes dry with a kitchen towel before adding them to the pan for crispier results.
- Let the dish rest off the heat for five minutes before serving so the flavors settle and the sauce thickens naturally.