Street FoodEasyFree

Chilli Cheese Chips

Name: Chilli Cheese Chips
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 30 g Pickled jalapeños, sliced; 400 g Chips (or frozen oven chips); 120 g Cheddar cheese, grated; 300 g Minced beef

35 min (10 prep + 25 cook) Easy 2 servings Texas, USA

Edmond Bojalil

Recetas Mexas

Published: Mar 29, 2026 · Updated: Sep 18, 2026

🌯Tex-Mex

Crispy chips topped with chilli con carne and melted cheese - an irresistible Texan classic.

About this recipe

Chilli Cheese Chips (known in the States as Chili Cheese Fries) are one of the most indulgent dishes in the Tex-Mex universe: crispy chips smothered in hot chilli con carne and melted cheese. They are popular throughout Texas and the American south, particularly at street food stalls and diners. The contrast between the crispy chips, the spiced mince, and the creamy cheese makes them utterly addictive. They can be customised with jalapeños, raw onion, soured cream, and guacamole.

History & Origin

Chilli Cheese Chips are the natural result of the Tex-Mex culture that flourished in Texas in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as the Mexican-American community fused its culinary traditions with Anglo-American tastes. Chilli con carne - declared the official dish of Texas in 1977 - found its perfect partner in a pile of chips. Today they are a staple at sports bars, drive-ins, and fast food restaurants across the state.

Estimated cost

$7.75

Total cost

$3.88

Per serving

* Approximate prices based on Canadian supermarkets

Nutritional information per serving

650

Calories

28g

Protein

52g

Carbohydrates

38g

Fat

Fibre

900mg

Sodium

* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.

Method

1
Make the chilli con carne: soften the diced onion in oil, add the minced beef and brown well. Add the chilli powder, cumin, salt, crushed tomatoes, and beans. Cook for 15 minutes over medium heat.
💡 You can use tinned chilli con carne to save time.
2
Meanwhile, fry the chips cut into batons until golden and crisp, or cook frozen chips in the oven according to the packet instructions.
3
For the cheese sauce: melt the butter in a saucepan, add the flour, and cook for 1 minute. Gradually pour in the milk, stirring constantly, then add the grated cheddar. Season with salt and pepper.
💡 This homemade cheese sauce is far better than using processed cheese slices.
4
Serve the chips on a plate or tray. Spoon the hot chilli con carne over the top and pour the cheese sauce over everything. Garnish with jalapeños and chopped spring onions.

Did you make this recipe?

Rate it with one tap. No account needed.

or write a full review

Mexican Chillies: Guide to Varieties and Uses

Street Food Culture in Mexico: What You're Missing

The Habanero Chilli: The King of Mexican Heat

Rate this recipe

Edmond Bojalil

Founder, Recetas Mexas

Mexican from Puebla, IT professional and foodie. Author of 1000+ authentic Mexican recipes adapted for home kitchens worldwide. Based in Madrid since 2018.