Ancho Chile

Medallones de Filete con Mantequilla de Tres Chiles Gaia, a beautifully restored house-turned-restaurant, located in one of the country's oldest cities, blends Mexican and Mediterranean cooking. One of the best dining spots is upstairs overlooking the patio and garden. If you get a chance, take a peek at the bottom of the pool. Legend has it that the mosaic of the fertility goddess was created by Mexican artist Diego Rivera for Mario Moreno (known as Cantinflas), the famous Mexican actor who once lived in the home. At Gaia, french fries sprinkled with cayenne pepper accompany the beef.

Chiles Anchos Rellenos de Atún con Papas This is more sweet than spicy, because the chiles are softened in brown sugar and vinegar before stuffing.

These charred cobs get slathered in a gochujang mayo for a spicy, funky twist on classic elotes.

If you can spread peanut butter on bread, you can make these homemade tamales filled with pork slathered in a bright red chile purée. 

This streamlined approach to making mole cuts down on ingredients without sacrificing flavor for a rich, velvety sauce that’s layered under crispy-gooey cheese.

Dried chiles add tons of complex flavor to this saucy, shreddable chicken with little extra work—our kind of cooking.

These bright and succulent grilled chicken breasts are perfect for wrapping in warm tortillas with spoonfuls of fresh salsa verde. 

Yes, turkey is a relatively lean protein, but when you pair it with white beans, a robust and concentrated chile purée, and simmer it for a short period of time, it delivers major body and richness. 

Everything you love about Mexican elote—the charred kernels, the creamy-spicy-salty sauce, lots of lime—without the grill.

Make this smoky-spicy braise when it’s Sunday and you’ve got big plans to never leave the house.

This spicy-sweet chicken transforms a bird right off the rotisserie into a versatile filling for nachos, enchiladas, tacos, burritos, and more.

Guarantee there’s always a hot, melty batch ready for your guests with this nacho construction strategy.

If you can’t find delicata squash in your neck of the woods, acorn or butternut will do the trick.

Make a big pot of this rich, meaty chili, a side of cornbread, and then never leave the couch.

Some of us still have nightmares about bad puréed black bean soups that were once a “thing.” Creamy puréed pinto beans, chiles, and lots of mix-ins set this soup on the right path.

Turn this halibut recipe into a dinner bowl by serving the fish and veggies over any warm grains, like rice or barley. Check out step-by-step photos here.

This no-cook salsa pairs sweet and juicy watermelon with smoky chiles. Looks like gravy, tastes like summer.

The only slow cooker chili recipe you need. This recipe can also be easily doubled.

Three kinds of dried chiles add just the right amount of smoky heat when you cook this best beef chili recipe, and three cuts of beef deliver robust flavor. This is part of BA's Best, a collection of our essential recipes.