These 17 Recipes Will Hook You on Hatch Chiles

Arizona Hatch Chili
Photo by Yoly.

Slightly sweet, somewhat smoky, and more than a little spicy, Hatch chile peppers are the pride of New Mexican cuisine. Cooks from the Land of Enchantment typically roast their Hatch chiles and add them to salads, stews, soups, sandwiches, mac & cheese, corn fritters, biscuits, dips -- or they'll process them into a versatile sauce for topping scrambled eggs, enchiladas, chile rellenos, and much, much more.

Now, to be called Hatch, a chile pepper is really supposed to hail from the Hatch Valley in New Mexico. But these days, you'll find peppers labelled "Hatch" that were grown beyond the Hatch Valley, in places like Texas, Colorado, Arizona, and Mexico. These peppers are also sold under names like Big Jim, Barker, R-Naky, and New Mexico chile peppers.

Look for fresh Hatch and related chile peppers in grocery stores in early fall. Hatch peppers are also a popular pepper for canning. To satisfy your hankering for Hatch peppers, try these simple preparations:

01 of 18

Hatch Chile Enchilada Pie

Hatch Chile Enchilada Pie
Photo by Yoly.

"So delicious," says laurenlindley82. "I added sour cream to the cheese layer and it made the sauce extra creamy. Next time, I'll probably use shredded chicken."

02 of 18

Colorado Green Chili

Colorado Green Chili
Photo by Yoly.

"This vegetarian green chili goes great over breakfast burritos, cheeseburgers, fried eggs, or anything," says YOUNGCM2.

03 of 18

Hatch Chile Salsa

Hatch Chile Salsa
Photo by bd.weld.

Roasted Hatch chile peppers combine with diced tomatoes, onions, and cilantro in this quick-and-easy salsa. "A well-rounded, tasty salsa," says bd.weld. "Hatch chiles have a bit more kick than Anaheim peppers."

04 of 18

Santa Fe Hatch Chile Green Sauce

Santa Fe Hatch Chile Green Sauce
Photo by Baking Nana.

"Living in New Mexico and close to Hatch, where in my opinion the best chiles in the world are grown, I cook a lot using red and green chili," says Sam. "This multi-purpose chili sauce had a lot of flavor and was easy to put together. I definitely will make this again."

05 of 18

Hatch Chile Corn

Hatch Chile Corn
Photo by Soup Loving Nicole.

Charring the Hatch chile pepper adds a smoky, spicy something to this grilled fresh corn side dish. "A great summer grilling recipe," says Happyschmoopies. "The corn had fabulous flavor from the grill and I loved the addition of the chile pepper."

06 of 18

Pulled Pork Hatch Chile Stew

Pulled Pork Hatch Chile Stew
Photo by Yoly.

A hearty pork stew with potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and Hatch chile peppers. "It's a favorite way to reuse smoked pulled pork," says Glenn n Traci. "Garnish with queso fresco, cilantro, and lime."

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Colorful and Easy Potato Salad

Colorful and Easy Potato Salad
Photo by Soup Loving Nicole.

A speedy spuds recipe seasoned with Caesar dressing and Hatch chile peppers. "Delicious," says Soup Loving Nicole. "And such a nice change from your everyday potato salads smothered in mayo. Definitely a keeper!"

08 of 18

Creamy Hatch Chile Chicken

creamy hatch chile chicken
Photo by Yoly.

This is a great recipe for rotisserie chicken. If you can't find Mexican crema, try creme fraiche instead. "Hatch chiles are in season for only about 8-to-10 weeks a year," explains Yoly. "We buy 50 lbs every year and freeze them. Serve this flavorful recipe in tortillas, over rice, or by itself."

09 of 18

Hatch Chile Relleno Casserole with Ranchero Sauce

Hatch Chile Relleno Casserole with Ranchero Sauce
Photo by Baking Nana.

"Hatch chiles are New Mexico's gift to the world," says Baking Nana. "Here are layers of Hatch chiles and melted cheese wrapped up in a coat of puffy egg and then baked instead of fried."

10 of 18

Arizona Hatch Chili

Arizona Hatch Chili
Photo by Yoly.

You'll slow cook roasted Hatch green chile peppers with pork roast, onions, tomatoes, and spices. "I was so excited to find this recipe," raves ChrisJon43. "I grew up eating this chili and have been making it myself for decades!"

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Sea Bass San Sebastian

Sea Bass San Sebastian
Photo by Chef John.

Here's one that draws its inspiration from San Sebastian cuisine: Sea bass on a bed of sliced Hatch peppers, topped with grated almonds, and baked with a flavored mayonnaise. "The mayonnaise keeps the sea bass moist while it's cooking," says Chef John. "You can create countless sauce variations by changing the seasonings."

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Pork, Black Bean, and Rice Casserole

Pork, Black Bean, and Rice Casserole
Pork, Black Bean, and Rice Casserole.

Here's a pantry-friendly recipe featuring cans of chopped Hatch chile peppers, along with corn, salsa, black beans, Ro-tel, cream of chicken soup, and instant rice. "I made this with items in my pantry and it is filling and delicious," says Yoly. "Hubby and I go grocery shopping only once a week because of the stay-at-home order due to the Coronavirus. We got lucky and found a 25-pound pork shoulder roast for $0.59 per pound! Though it's only the 2 of us at home, we could not pass up such a great bargain. We cut the roast up into 2-pound chunks and individually vacuum packed them with our FoodSaver."

13 of 18

Creamy Hatch Chile and Mushroom Chicken Breasts

Creamy Hatch Chile and Mushroom Chicken Breasts
Creamy Hatch Chile and Mushroom Chicken Breasts | Photo by Yoly.

Chicken with Hatch chiles, mushrooms, and a few pantry staples are all you need here. "I served it over a bed of cilantro-lime rice," says Yoly. "I shredded my chicken breast and mixed it in with the rice. Hubby preferred his chicken breast whole."

14 of 18

New Mexican Green Chile Chicken Stew

New Mexican Green Chile Chicken Stew
New Mexican Green Chile Chicken Stew | Photo by My Hot Southern Mess.

Cubes of sauteed chicken breast simmer with potatoes, onion, green chiles, zucchini, carrots, and corn. "An easy, hearty stew that is perfect for chilly fall and winter months," says My Hot Southern Mess. "The amount of green chiles used depends on the strength of the green chile and how spicy you like your dish. Can be made in advance and reheated. Can also be frozen. Serve with warm tortillas."

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Instant Pot® Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew

Instant Pot® Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew
Instant Pot® Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew | Photo by Diana71.

"This is a classic example of the robust flavors of Hatch green chile peppers that have been mellowed by the richness of pork, potatoes, and sweet corn," says Diana71. "When serving, if too spicy, drizzle bowls with honey to cut the heat."

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Baked Chicken Empanadas with Hatch Chile

a close up view on a plate of chicken empanadas topped with fresh avocado
Thedailygourmet

"Empanadas get elevated with the addition of Hatch chile," says thedailygourmet. "Serve with avocado, salsa, and sour cream if desired."

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Baked Chicken Thighs in Hatch Chile Cream Sauce

Baked Chicken Thighs in Hatch Chile Cream Sauce
Baked Chicken Thighs in Hatch Chile Cream Sauce. Yoly

Hatch chile peppers, taco seasoning, garlic, onions, and cream bake in a skillet with well-browned chicken thighs in this quick skillet dinner that goes from stove to oven. "I keep Hatch chiles in my freezer year-round and am always experimenting different dishes to make with them," says Yoly. "I served this dish over white rice. Feel free to use canned Hatch chiles if fresh are not in season."

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