Zesty Mexican Chicken Pozole Verde Recipe: Slow-Cooked Joy

Steaming bowls of comfort emerge from a slow-cooked mexican chicken pozole verde that warms souls and sparks culinary joy.

This traditional Mexican soup carries rich layers of flavor and depth that dance across your palate.

Green chiles, tender chicken, and hominy create a vibrant harmony in each spoonful.

Pozole represents more than just a meal; it connects generations through its robust and comforting profile.

The recipe brings together simple ingredients that transform into an extraordinary dining experience.

Packed with nutrients and bold seasonings, this pozole promises to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.

Prepare to savor every delicious bite of this soul-satisfying Mexican classic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 190 kcal

Servings: 6

Pozole Verde Ingredient Lineup

• Chicken: Tender meat that forms the hearty foundation of the pozole, choose boneless skinless chicken breasts for easy shredding and lean protein.

• Salsa Verde: Tangy green sauce that adds zesty Mexican-inspired brightness, select a high-quality jarred or fresh version for authentic taste.
• Green Chilies: Mild pepper that brings subtle heat and depth, opt for fire-roasted varieties for extra smoky complexity.
• Onion: Aromatic base that provides sweet undertones, fresh white onions work best for classic pozole flavor.
• Garlic: Robust seasoning that intensifies overall taste profile, fresh cloves deliver more vibrant flavor than pre-minced.

• Cumin: Earthy spice that delivers warm southwestern notes, ground cumin provides deeper flavor than whole seeds.
• Oregano: Herbal accent that enhances Mexican cuisine authenticity, Mexican oregano offers more intense taste than Mediterranean varieties.
• Coriander: Subtle citrusy spice that complements other seasonings, ground version blends seamlessly into the pozole.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that balance and elevate the entire dish.

• Chicken Broth: Rich foundation that creates silky soup consistency, low-sodium options allow better seasoning control.

• Hominy: Traditional corn kernels that give pozole its signature texture, canned white hominy provides convenient preparation.

• Lime Juice: Bright acidic element that freshens the entire dish, fresh limes deliver superior flavor compared to bottled juice.

For Garnish:

Tools to Build a Rich Pozole in the Crockpot

• Crockpot: Essential for slow-cooking the pozole, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
• Forks: Perfect for easily shredding the tender chicken.
• Cutting board: Needed for slicing radishes and preparing garnishes.
• Knife: Sharp tool for precise chopping of fresh ingredients.
• Ladle: Helps serve the steaming hot pozole smoothly into bowls.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning with cumin, oregano, and other spices.

How to Simmer Pozole Verde All Day

• Toss Everything In

Grab your trusty crockpot and dump in the chicken, hominy, broth, and salsa verde. Sprinkle in those zesty spices that’ll make your taste buds dance – cumin, oregano, and coriander. Don’t forget the green chilies and chopped onion to give it some serious punch.

• Set and Forget

Pop the lid on and let your crockpot work its magic. If you’re in a hurry, set it on high for 3-4 hours. If you’re the patient type, go low and slow for 6-7 hours. Either way, you’ll end up with fall-apart tender chicken that’s bursting with flavor.

• Break It Down

Once the chicken is cooked through, pull it out and shred it using two forks. Toss the shredded meat back into the pot and give it a good stir. Squeeze in some fresh lime juice to brighten things up.

• Dress to Impress

Ladle that gorgeous pozole into bowls and go wild with toppings. Sprinkle on crisp radishes, crunchy cabbage, fresh cilantro, and creamy avocado. Serve with a side of tortilla chips for extra crunch. Your dinner just got a major upgrade.

Garnish Options That Add Fresh Flavor

• Prepare the pozole in advance and store in airtight containers for up to 4 days, making weeknight dinners a breeze.
• Replace chicken with shredded pork or turkey for a delightful twist on the classic recipe, keeping the flavors bold and exciting.
• Adjust the heat by choosing mild or hot salsa verde, and remove seeds from green chilies to reduce spiciness for sensitive palates.
• Substitute chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternative, and use vegetable broth to create a hearty meatless version that doesn't compromise on flavor.
• This pozole freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, perfect for meal planning and quick future meals – just thaw and reheat gently.

Serve Pozole With Lime, Cabbage, or Tortilla

• Fresh Taco Bar Spread: Set up a vibrant toppings station with crisp radishes, creamy avocado slices, shredded cabbage, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges so guests can customize their pozole to their taste.
• Hearty Comfort Meal Pairing: Serve alongside warm, crispy corn tortillas or Mexican-style rice to create a fuller, more satisfying dining experience that complements the rich pozole flavors.
• Family-Style Dinner Night: Present the pozole in a large central serving bowl with all garnishes around it, encouraging everyone to gather, interact, and build their own bowls with favorite toppings.
• Weekend Fiesta Approach: Complement the pozole with refreshing Mexican beverages like horchata or a light beer to enhance the overall meal and create a festive atmosphere that celebrates traditional flavors.

Keep Pozole Warm for Later Enjoyment

• Store leftover pozole in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping broth and toppings separate to maintain freshness and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Carefully transfer cooled pozole to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stovetop.
• Warm pozole slowly on the stovetop, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating, bringing the soup back to a gentle simmer.
• Chop fresh garnishes like radishes, cabbage, and cilantro just before serving to maintain crispness and vibrant flavors. Store prepped toppings in separate sealed containers in the refrigerator for quick meal assembly.

Hearty Crockpot Mexican Chicken Pozole Verde

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty Mexican chicken pozole verde simmers with tangy tomatillos and green chiles, creating a soul-warming soup that whisks diners straight to authentic Mexican kitchens. Comforting cilantro-infused broth and tender shredded chicken invite spice lovers to savor each deeply satisfying spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken thighs or chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
• 4 cups (960 ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) green salsa (salsa verde)
• 1 15 oz (425 g) can white hominy, drained and rinsed
• 1 7 oz (198 g) can diced green chilies
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp ground coriander
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Garnish:

• Sliced radishes
• Shredded cabbage or lettuce
• Fresh cilantro
• Diced avocado
• Lime wedges
• Tortilla chips

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Instructions

1. Assemble Ingredients: Combine chicken, hominy, chicken broth, salsa verde, green chilies, onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, coriander, salt, and pepper in the crockpot. Thoroughly mix all components to ensure even distribution of seasonings and flavors.
2. Slow Cooking Process: Secure the crockpot lid and set the temperature to low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Allow the ingredients to meld together, creating a rich and aromatic stew where the chicken becomes incredibly tender and infused with Mexican-inspired spices.
3. Finalize and Enhance: Extract the chicken and meticulously shred it using two forks, then reintegrate into the pozole. Splash in fresh lime juice to brighten the flavors and perform a final seasoning adjustment if necessary.
4. Garnish and Present: Artfully ladle the steaming pozole into serving bowls. Elegantly top with crisp radish slices, delicate shredded cabbage, vibrant fresh cilantro, creamy avocado chunks, and an additional lime wedge. Accompany with crunchy tortilla chips for textural contrast and authentic Mexican flair.

Notes

• Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for even cooking and easier shredding. Let chicken rest in the slow cooker liquid after shredding to absorb more flavor and maintain moisture.
• Adjust salsa verde and green chilies to control heat intensity. For milder versions, use mild salsa or reduce chili quantity. Add extra jalapeños for spice lovers.
• Toast cumin and oregano in a dry skillet before adding to concentrate their aromatic qualities. Consider adding a splash of chicken stock or white wine for richer flavor complexity.
• Make gluten-free by using certified gluten-free broth and checking salsa verde ingredients. Transform to vegetarian by substituting chicken with jackfruit or extra firm tofu, and using vegetable broth.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg