Chicken Pozole Verde

Chicken Pozole Verde

📝 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

For the Soup Base:

• 500–700g chicken (bone-in thighs, drumsticks, or breast)

• 8 cups water or chicken broth

• 1 small onion, halved

• 3 cloves garlic

• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)

• 1 bay leaf

For the Verde Sauce:

• 2 cups tomatillos (husk removed & washed)
  (or green tomatoes if unavailable)

• 2–3 green chilies or jalapeños (adjust heat)

• 1 cup fresh cilantro (leaves & tender stems)

• ½ cup fresh parsley (optional but nice)

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• ½ tsp dried oregano

• 1 tbsp lime juice

Main Add-ins:

• 2 cups canned hominy (rinsed & drained)

• Shredded cooked chicken (from the broth)

Toppings (Very Important!):

• Shredded cabbage or lettuce

• Sliced radishes

• Chopped onion

• Fresh cilantro

• Lime wedges

• Avocado slices

• Tortilla chips or tostadas

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Cook the Chicken

1. Add chicken, water/broth, onion, garlic, bay leaf, and salt to a pot.

2. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20–25 minutes until chicken is tender.

3. Remove chicken, shred it, and set aside.

4. Strain broth if needed and keep it hot.

2️⃣ Make the Verde Sauce

1. Boil tomatillos and green chilies for 5–7 minutes until soft.

2. Blend them with cilantro, parsley, cumin, oregano, and lime juice until smooth.

3️⃣ Build the Pozole

1. Add verde sauce to the chicken broth.

2. Stir in hominy.

3. Add shredded chicken.

4. Simmer everything together for 10–15 minutes.

5. Adjust salt and spice.

4️⃣ Serve

Ladle into bowls and load up with toppings!

❓ Q & A

Q: What is pozole?

A: Pozole is a traditional Mexican soup made with hominy, meat, and a flavorful broth. Verde means it uses green sauce.

Q: Can I use canned tomatillo sauce?

A: Yes! Use about 1½–2 cups and adjust seasoning.

Q: What is hominy and can I skip it?

A: Hominy is dried corn kernels treated to puff up. It’s essential for authentic pozole, but you can substitute with chickpeas or corn.

Q: Can I make this spicy?

A: Yes! Add:

• Serrano peppers

• Extra jalapeños

• Green chili paste

• Hot sauce

Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?

A: Yes!

• Cook chicken + broth on LOW for 6–7 hours.

• Add verde sauce & hominy in the last 30 minutes.

Q: Is this soup healthy?

A: Yes! It’s:

• High in protein

• Full of fiber

• Naturally gluten-free

• Light but filling

Q: Can I freeze pozole verde?

A: Yes! Freeze without toppings for up to 2 months.

Q: What do I serve with it?

A:

• Tortilla chips

• Warm corn tortillas

• Mexican rice

• Guacamole