Chili Cheese Fries Recipe
Make Chili Cheese Fries Recipe in just 1h . Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Chili
Fries
Cheese & Toppings
Method
Chili
- 1
Brown the meat
Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink and beginning to brown, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
- 2
- 3
Build the chili
Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- 4
Simmer
Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning (add up to 1/2 tsp salt or more chili powder for heat) as needed. Keep warm on the lowest heat while preparing fries.
Fries
- 5
Prep potatoes
Rinse cut potatoes under cold water to remove surface starch until water runs clear. Pat thoroughly dry with kitchen towels. Season the raw cut fries lightly with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper and set aside.
- 6
Fry (deep-fry method)
Heat about 2 cups vegetable oil in a heavy skillet or Dutch oven to 325°F (160°C). Working in batches, fry the potatoes for 3–4 minutes until soft but not browned (blanching). Remove to a wire rack or paper towels to drain. Increase oil temperature to 375°F (190°C) and fry the blanched fries again in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels and immediately season with a pinch of salt.
- 7
Alternative: Oven-baked fries
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss dried fries with 2 tablespoons oil, salt and pepper. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake 20–30 minutes, turning halfway, until crisp and golden.
Assembly & Finish
- 8
Assemble chili cheese fries
Place hot fries on an oven-safe platter or individual plates. Spoon generous portions of warm chili over the fries (about half to three-quarters of the chili, depending on preference).
- 9
Add cheese and melt
Scatter the shredded cheddar evenly over the chili-topped fries. Place under a broiler for 1–2 minutes (or in a 375°F oven for 5–7 minutes) until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- 10
Finish and serve
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with sliced green onions and pickled jalapeños if using. Add dollops of sour cream if desired. Serve immediately while hot and gooey.