Chili's Tortilla Chips (Copycat) Recipe - Recipes.net (2024)

Chili’s chips and salsa are among the best Tex-Mex appetizers. So, we really can’t blame you if you keep coming back to Chili’s restaurant just to experience the crunchy bite of their crispy chips douched in a tasty salsa. Thankfully, with our easy tortilla chips recipe, you can now easily recreate this crowd-favorite snack in the comfort of your own home. Serve this appetizer combo with these yummy Chili’s chicken quesadillas during backyard parties or family dinners, and it’s guaranteed to be a hit among your guests.

There is a plethora of mouthwatering Mexican food on the Chili’s menu. But right now, we are obsessed with their tortilla chips – and salsa, of course. When dunked in a flavorful dip, the chips taste even more appetizing! Though you can get these chips for free as a member of the My Chili’s Rewards program, there’s no denying the charm of a more homemade rendition. So, make sure to include a delicious and fresh salsa in your party platter to accompany your Chili’s-style crunchy snacks.

Tips for Making Crunchy Tortilla Chips

Chili’s extra-thin corn tostada chips are beloved by many diners. Sure, you can easily visit Chili’s to get your crunchy-salty snack fix with their chips and salsa. But, making your own homemade tortilla chips takes the whole eating experience to the next level. Fear not, as this finger food is so effortless to make. Plus, you can never go wrong with a dish that only calls for four easy-to-find ingredients.

Here are some helpful tips for making these crowd-pleasing Chili’s appetizers with that satisfying crispy crunch that we all love:

  • Pat the chips dry using a kitchen towel before popping them in the oven. If you want the crispest tortilla chips, it’s best to dry them first before baking.
  • Use a pizza cutter to slice your tortilla stacks into triangles. Cutting the tortillas with a pizza slicer ensures uniform slices of chips.
  • Grease the baking sheet with oil. When baking tortilla chips, lightly coat or spray the baking sheet with oil to keep the chips from sticking to it.
  • Keep from coating the tortillas with too much oil. If covered with excessive oil, the tortillas might turn out soggy. A thin layer can already suffice to make your chips crispy and crunchy.
  • Don’t overlap the chips when placed onto the baking sheet. This step ensures that all your chips turn satisfyingly crispy.
  • Check your tortilla chips from time to time while baking. To prevent charred edges and soggy texture, always keep an eye on your chips amidst baking. Keep in mind that the chips will cook faster if you use dark-colored baking sheets.

Learning how to make chips out of tortillas has perks. You can tweak the recipe a bit and add flavorings of your choice! Besides being a delightful movie night snack, you can also whip up a comforting bowl of Mexican tortilla soup with your homemade tortilla chips.

Upgrade Your Chili’s Chips With The Best Salsas and Dips

What’s a big bowl of tortilla chips without an appetizing dip next to it, right? Truly, salsa and chips are the perfect way to kick off your meal. Luckily, we’ve got a suite of options for you! Check out these equally easy and delicious dips and salsas to jazz up your crunchy snacks:

  • Chili’s salsa – Chili’s salsa recipe is deliciously smooth and provides a subtle kick to your palate. It’s essentially made of diced tomatoes, diced jalapeños, and spices.
  • Tostitos salsa con queso – Just like the original version from Tostitos, this salsa brims with an explosion of flavors. It’s cheesy and tangy with a bit of punch!
  • Fresh corn salsa – The blend of crunchy corn, spicy jalapenos, and creamy avocado produces delightful salsa for chips. Just add more diced jalapeños if you like your dipping sauce extra hot.

Chili's Tortilla Chips (Copycat) Recipe - Recipes.net (1)

How To Make Tortilla Chips (Chili's Copycat)

Salty with a satisfying crunch with each bite, these baked tortilla chips are the perfect munchies for entertaining a crowd. Serve them with a flavorsome salsa and dip to jazz up your snack game.

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 10 mins

Total: 20 mins

Serves:

Ingredients

  • 1 pack flour tortillas, (about 1½-1¾ lb)
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • pinch sea salt, to taste
  • cup salsa, of choice

Instructions

  1. Lightly brush the baking sheet with vegetable oil.
  2. Then, coat one side of each flour tortilla with oil and sprinkle with a dash of sea salt. Stack the tortillas on top of each other. Repeat the process until all tortillas are covered with oil and salt.
  3. Using a knife, cut your tortillas into eighths. Spread them out in a single layer onto your baking sheet.
  4. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the edges of the chips turn lightly golden brown.
  5. Serve your freshly-baked crunchy tortilla chips immediately with your favorite salsa on the side!

Nutrition

  • Sugar: 2g
  • :
  • Calcium: 29mg
  • Calories: 143kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 13g
  • Fat: 10g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Iron: 1mg
  • Potassium: 84mg
  • Protein: 2g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Sodium: 278mg
  • Vitamin A: 83IU
  • Vitamin C: 1mg
Nutrition Disclaimer

Recipes.net Team Modified: November 12, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of tortilla should I use to make chips?

Flour tortillas and corn tortillas are both great options when making homemade chips. However, note that flour tortillas tend to be soft and have a neutral sweet palate, whereas corn tortillas boast a strong toasted corn flavor. Pick out whichever you prefer and make sure they’re of good quality.

How to make homemade Chili’s chips and salsa taste better?

Simply season your tortilla chips with spices and seasonings to elevate their flavor. You can sprinkle them with chili powder and onion powder to provide a serious punch to your chips. Or, once they’re all baked, try dusting them with slivers of lime zest to give them a hint of citrusy taste and a more delicious visual look. For the Chili’s salsa, try spritzing them with lime juice to deliver a slight tangy kick.

Are baked tortilla chips healthier than the fried version?

When you bake tortilla chips in the oven, they contain little to no oil at all, making them a healthier option than fried chips.

Chili's Tortilla Chips (Copycat) Recipe - Recipes.net (2)

Conclusion

Amplify your next Mexican-inspired dinner party with Chili’s chips and salsa! You can even tweak things a bit and coat your crunchy tortilla chips with your go-to flavorings. Serve them straight out of the oven and dunk them in a flavorsome homemade salsa.

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Comments

Chili's Tortilla Chips (Copycat) Recipe - Recipes.net (2024)

FAQs

What kind of tortilla chips does chili's use? ›

Corn tostada chips made fresh daily. Served with fresh salsa.

What are homemade tortilla chips made of? ›

Ingredients for Homemade Tortilla Chips

There are three staples that you can always find at our house: corn tortillas, oil, and salt. This is all you need to make the most wonderful, fresh, crunchy, perfectly golden, homemade tortilla chips.

How to make store bought tortilla chips taste like restaurant? ›

The Secret to a Better Bag of Tortilla Chips
  1. The oven is your friend. Just spread store-bought tortilla chips on a sheet pan and bake them at 350°F until they're warm, about 5 minutes. ...
  2. Hit the chips with some spice. Want to take it a step further? ...
  3. And while you're at it, chill your salsa.
Jan 25, 2016

Are Chili's chips endless? ›

Our chips and salsa are bottomless, but don't show up pantsless. Unless you're at home.

Why are restaurant tortilla chips different? ›

Simple Ingredients

Some restaurants will add spices for an extra kick, but you don't need them, especially if you're going to dip the chips in salsa. If a restaurant adds anything else, it's often a preservative. That usually means that they don't make their chips fresh every day.

Why are restaurant tortilla chips better? ›

Therefore, the thinner tortilla results in light, thin, ultra-crispy tortilla chips. Chef Santibañez also points out that restaurants have high-tech equipment and experienced staff that can crank out chips at a faster rate.

What is the formulation of tortilla chips? ›

Tortilla chips are generally manufactured from coarsely ground masa from either fresh masa or dry flour that is sheeted, formed, and cut in preparation for the subsequent steps of baking, equilibrating, frying, and salting/seasoning.

Are Mexican restaurant tortilla chips corn or flour? ›

The thing that makes Mexican restaurant's tortilla chips special is the tortillas they are made from. They cut fresh corn tortillas into quarters and fry them.

Are homemade tortilla chips better for you? ›

Healthier than store-bought chips.

There is nothing wrong with eating store-bought tortilla chips in moderation, but they are usually packed with a lot of oil and salt. The benefit of home cooking is that you control all the ingredients. These homemade chips are a lot lighter and a totally feel-good snack!

Why are my homemade tortilla chips chewy? ›

For one, you are not letting the oil get warm enough prior to placing your tortilla slices into it. The second, you are not leaving the chips in long enough. If the chips are still pale, it is a strong indication that they will be chewy and not have that lovely crisp when you take a bite into it.

Why are my homemade tortilla chips tough? ›

If your chips come out tough, they will need a few additional minutes of baking time. They should break apart easily and be very crunchy. If you would like, you can give the tortillas a light spritz of oil before baking, although this is not necessary. The oil allows them to brown and crisp up a bit more.

How to make tortillas taste like restaurant? ›

10 Tips For Making Store-Bought Tortillas Taste Restaurant...
  1. Char them. ...
  2. Toast them in the oven. ...
  3. Fry them. ...
  4. Add water before warming. ...
  5. Steam them to keep them moist. ...
  6. Heat flour tortillas in butter. ...
  7. If you must use a microwave, wrap tortillas in plastic or a damp towel. ...
  8. Heat in large batches in the oven.
Jul 10, 2023

How does chili's free chips and salsa work? ›

As a Chili's® Regular, you get to enjoy FREE Chips and Salsa or a Non-Alcoholic Beverage at participating locations when you spend a minimum of $5, as long as you visit Chili's® at least once every 45 days. After each visit, the clock starts over, and you have another 45 days to enjoy this great reward.

What are chili cheese corn chips? ›

Description. A corn chip that intertwines chili and cheese to create a savory snack full of a delicious crunch.

How long do chili's tortilla chips last? ›

Unopened tortilla chips typically last up to 2-3 months past the expiration date when stored in a cool, dry place. How long do opened tortilla chips last? Once opened, tortilla chips can last up to 1-2 weeks if promptly stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

What are Mexican tortilla chips called? ›

In Mexico, we called tortilla chips, totopos. They are best known as originating from Zapotec peoples of the Mexican state of Oaxaca.

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