Chili Cheese Fries
Since I can remember 🤔, if I had to choose between going out to a restaurant or to a discothèque/bar with friends, my choice was definitely the first one! Since my early 20s’, I always enjoyed the whole experience of having a nice meal that I didn’t have to cook and simply relax while dining.
When I became better in the kitchen, another pleasure I had, and still do to this day, was to duplicate 👩🍳 the meals I ordered. It wasn’t always obvious. If a dish wasn’t to my liking, I put it on the back burner, analysing it further and returned to it later – some took several tries before I was satisfied! That is when I realized that I was a true foody!
From fine dining foods like Coq au Vin, Chateaubriand, Lobster Newburg 🦞, Beef Wellington, Steak Diane, Oysters Rockefeller, etc. to casual dishes like Chicken Pot Pie, Swiss Steak, Mac and Cheese, Southwest Beef Casserole, Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl, and more, these are some of the hundreds of recipes I’ve recreated in the comfort of my kitchen.
There’s also what I like to call “super casual” dining which is bar/pub foods. I think of Chicken Wings 🐓, French Dip with Au Jus, Nachos, Chicken Fingers, Poutine, Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Burgers, Onion Rings, Quesadillas, and so on including this one… Chili Cheese Fries!
Also known as Coney Island Fries, this dish is pure comfort food 🥰! With a nice hearty thick chili sauce spooned over crispy French fries followed by a drizzle of Cheddar Cheese Sauce then topped with a generous dollop of sour cream and garnished with green onions, this is a satisfying recipe to make anytime!
It’s an easy recipe but not a quick one. The chili takes the most time as we want the consistency to be nice and thick. After all the ingredients are in, it has to simmer slowly on medium-low heat for 1:15 to 1:30 minutes 🕜, stirring often – no one wants “soupy” chili.
As I mentioned above, I really enjoy duplicating recipes that I’ve had in restaurants BUT I enjoy it even more when I can bring the same “beloved” dish to another level of yumminess 😋. This Chili Cheese Fries is no exception.
As the traditional dish is served with shredded cheese 🧀 on top of fries and chili, I switched for a delicious Cheddar Cheese Sauce. Instead of putting the serving plate in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted, the sauce is simply drizzled over – less messy and no hot plates to handle.
Depending on how I feel, I either make my own or use frozen fries 🍟 from the store – yes, I do sometimes take a break and reach for premade foods like anyone else! The same with the tomato sauce. If I have some of my Marinara Sauce jars around, I’ll reach for it otherwise I’ll use a 15 oz. can.
For serving, I like to top the dish with sour cream and garnish with chopped green onions. Not all restaurants serve it that way but I think it makes it more complete. Sour cream can be substituted with Mexican crema and green onions for red onions. Add chopped cilantro if you like…
This fusion dish is so mouthwatering and 💯% satisfying! These Chili Cheese Fries are a great appetizer but can also turn into a whole meal! If you’re hosting a Super Bowl Party, this is the perfect recipe to make for your guests. On the other hand, why wait for the event when you can enjoy them anytime you want without stepping into a restaurant?
Bon Appétit! 🍽
Here are several more great comfort food recipes for you to enjoy… 😀
– Cajun Poutine
– Pizza Dip
– Hamburger Helper Copycat
– Shrimp Sliders
– Pierogi Casserole
– Pittsburg Steak Salad
– Texas Cowboy Stew
and for even more comfort food recipes 🥰, click on this link… Recipe Category • Comfort Food
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube
Chili Cheese Fries
Hover to scale
Ingredients
CHILI
- 1 tbsp. canola oil tips & tricks
- 1 cup white onions, diced
- ground Himalayan pink salt, to taste
- 1/2 cup red peppers, diced
- 1 large jalapeño pepper (about 1/4 cup), seeded, ribs removed and finely chopped
- 3 large cloves garlic, pressed
- 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste (I always use mixed peppercorns)
- 1 tbsp. tomato paste tips & tricks
- 1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
- 1 can (15 oz.) fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz.) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 1/2 tbsp. chipotle chili powder
- 1 tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 tbsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
- 1/2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tbsp. hot sauce such as Cholula
- 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
FRIES
- 2 bags (26 oz. each) frozen French fries, cooked
TOPPINGS
- 2 1/2 cups Cheddar Cheese Sauce see Recipe
- 1 cup sour cream, or as needed for garnish
- 2 large green onions, sliced
Directions
- In a Dutch oven over medium heat, add oil. When it shimmers, add onions and season with ground sea salt. Sauté until they soften, about 1 ½ to 2 minutes.
- Add red peppers and jalapeño peppers; sauté them for 3 minutes.
- Add pressed garlic and quickly sauté for only 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef and break it into small pieces. Cook the meat halfway before seasoning with freshly ground black pepper; cook until no longer pink.
- Add the tomato paste and stir to coat.
- Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, chipotle chili powder, brown sugar, ground cumin, oregano, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Stir to combine before pouring in beef broth; stir again.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 1:15 to 1:30 hours or until the chili thickens, stirring often.
- About 20 minutes before the cooking time is over, make the Cheddar Cheese Sauce.
- When the chili is done, spoon a generous amount on the fries, drizzle the Cheddar Cheese Sauce over and top with a big dollop of sour cream; garnish with green onions.
Don't forget to rate and comment on this recipe!
