Tangy Crockpot Mexican Chicken Pozole Verde Recipe for All

Warm and comforting crockpot mexican chicken pozole verde simmers with rich, vibrant flavors that dance across your palate.

Hearty hominy and tender chicken create a delightful harmony in this traditional soup.

Peppers and tomatillos bring a zesty green brightness to every spoonful.

Green chiles whisper their subtle heat through the broth, inviting you to savor each mouthful.

Slow-cooking transforms simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying meal that feels like a culinary embrace.

Garnish with fresh cilantro, radish slices, and lime to add crisp texture and bright notes.

You’ll want to ladle this soul-warming pozole into bowls and share its magic with loved ones.

What Goes with Crockpot Pozole Verde

• Pair this hearty Mexican chicken pozole verde with a crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial, which cuts through the rich, tangy soup and refreshes the palate with its light, clean finish.
• Match the pozole with a zesty margarita made with fresh lime juice, tequila, and a touch of agave nectar, complementing the dish's vibrant green chilies and citrusy undertones.
• Serve alongside a simple Mexican-style coleslaw dressed with lime and cilantro, offering a crunchy, cool counterpoint to the warm, spicy pozole and adding textural variety to the meal.
• Offer crispy corn tortilla chips or tostadas on the side, allowing diners to scoop up the rich broth and add a satisfying crackle to each delicious bite of pozole.

Pozole Variations That Bring New Flavor

• Vegetarian Green Pozole: Replace chicken with firm tofu or jackfruit, using vegetable broth and adding extra beans for protein. Perfect for plant-based diets.
• Low-Carb Pozole Option: Swap hominy with cauliflower rice or zucchini chunks, keeping all spices and seasonings the same for a lighter meal.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Use bone broth instead of regular chicken broth, increase fatty ingredients like additional avocado, and remove hominy. Add extra green chilies for flavor complexity.
• Spicy Lovers' Variation: Incorporate habanero peppers or chipotle peppers, increase cumin and oregano amounts, and add a dash of cayenne for an intense heat profile.

Pozole Verde FAQs

• What is pozole verde?

Pozole verde is a traditional Mexican soup made with chicken, hominy, and green sauce (salsa verde), known for its rich, tangy flavor and hearty ingredients.

• Is hominy necessary for authentic pozole?

Yes, hominy is a key ingredient in pozole, providing a distinctive corn flavor and unique texture that makes the dish authentic and traditional.

• Can I use different types of meat in pozole?

While chicken is common, pozole can also be prepared with pork or beef, each offering a slightly different flavor profile to the classic Mexican soup.

• How spicy is this pozole recipe?

The spice level depends on the salsa verde and green chilies used. You can control the heat by choosing mild or spicy salsa verde and adjusting the amount of green chilies.

Why Crockpot Pozole Verde Makes Dinner Simple

• Prepare this hearty Mexican chicken pozole verde with minimal prep, perfect for busy weeknights when everyone craves a comforting, flavorful dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Simply toss ingredients into the crockpot, walk away, and return to a delicious, fully cooked meal that fills your home with mouthwatering aromas and requires zero constant monitoring.
• Easily adapt toppings to suit different tastes, making this pozole verde a flexible dish that keeps both kids and adults happy with optional garnishes like fresh cilantro, creamy avocado, and zesty radishes.
• Combine protein-rich chicken, fiber-filled hominy, and vibrant green chilies in a single pot, creating a balanced meal that delivers incredible flavor and nutritional value with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Mexican Chicken Pozole

• Chicken: The main protein for a hearty and filling soup.
• Hominy: Traditional Mexican corn product that gives the pozole its signature texture.

• Onion, Garlic: Provide deep foundational flavor and aromatic base.
• Green Chilies: Add mild heat and authentic Mexican flavor profile.
• Cumin, Oregano, Coriander: Classic Mexican spices that enhance overall depth.

• Chicken Broth: Creates the soup's liquid base and adds savory richness.
• Salsa Verde: Provides tangy green sauce flavor and additional moisture.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all other flavors.
• Lime Juice: Bright, citrusy finish that lifts the entire dish.

• Radishes, Cabbage, Cilantro: Fresh toppings that add crunch and brightness.
• Avocado: Creamy element that complements the soup's spiciness.
• Tortilla Chips: Crunchy side for textural contrast.
• Extra Lime Juice: Optional fresh squeeze for additional zestiness.

How to Make Pozole Verde in a Slow Cooker

Step 1: Prep the Crockpot Magic

• Chicken
• Hominy
• Chicken broth
• Salsa verde
• Green chilies
• Onion
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Coriander
• Salt
• Pepper

Give everything a good mix to wake up those flavors.

Step 2: Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Wonder

Pop the lid on and let the crockpot do its thing. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken is super tender and falling apart.

Step 3: Shred and Enhance

Pull out the chicken and transform it into delicious shreds using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the pot. Splash in some lime juice and taste – adjust the seasoning if it needs a little extra zing.

Step 4: Create Your Pozole Masterpiece

• Sliced radishes
• Shredded cabbage
• Fresh cilantro
• Creamy avocado

Squeeze an extra dash of lime on top. Serve with crispy tortilla chips on the side for that perfect crunch.

Tips to Get the Perfect Verde Flavor

• Boost Chicken Tenderness: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for maximum moisture and easy shredding during cooking.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust salsa verde and green chilies to control heat intensity, perfect for mild or spicy preference lovers.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast cumin and oregano in a dry skillet before adding to the crockpot to release their aromatic oils and intensify taste.
• Improve Texture Balance: Drain hominy completely before adding to prevent excess liquid and maintain the pozole's ideal consistency.
• Maximize Freshness: Add toppings like cilantro, radishes, and avocado just before serving to preserve crisp textures and vibrant colors.

Save and Reheat Pozole Without Losing Freshness

• Store leftover pozole in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled pozole to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a tight seal to maintain quality.
• Pour pozole into a pot, add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture, and warm over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Place pozole in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, and heat in 1-minute intervals. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly and prevent cold spots.

Crockpot Mexican Chicken Pozole Verde Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

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

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Description

Hearty Mexican chicken pozole verde simmers with tender shredded chicken, zesty tomatillos, and green chiles, creating a soul-warming soup. Fragrant herbs and hominy invite warm comfort, drawing hungry diners to savor each spoonful of this classic Mexican comfort dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 (15 ounces/425 grams) can white hominy, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) green salsa (salsa verde)

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 1 (7 ounces/198 grams) can diced green chilies
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Finishing Ingredient:

• 1 tablespoon lime juice

Garnishes:

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

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Instructions

1. Gather all selected ingredients and place them systematically into the crockpot, ensuring an even distribution of spices and aromatics throughout the mixture.
2. Gently mix the contents using a sturdy spatula, coating the chicken and hominy with the vibrant salsa verde and fragrant seasonings.
3. Secure the crockpot lid and set the temperature according to your time constraints – low setting for a gradual, tender cooking process or high setting for quicker preparation.
4. Allow the pozole to simmer and develop deep, complex flavors, periodically checking the chicken’s tenderness and ensuring the liquid maintains a consistent level.
5. Once the chicken reaches optimal tenderness, carefully extract the pieces from the broth and use two forks to deconstruct the meat into delicate, succulent shreds.
6. Reintegrate the shredded chicken into the pozole, stirring gently to distribute the meat evenly and incorporate a splash of fresh lime juice for brightness.
7. Taste the pozole and adjust seasonings, adding additional salt, pepper, or spices to enhance the overall flavor profile.
8. Ladle the steaming pozole into deep serving bowls, creating a vibrant canvas for an array of fresh garnishes like crisp radish slices, verdant cilantro, creamy avocado chunks, and a sprinkle of shredded cabbage.
9. Serve immediately with crisp tortilla chips on the side, inviting diners to customize their pozole experience with additional toppings and textures.

Notes

• Choose bone-in chicken thighs for richer, more tender meat that remains juicy during long slow-cooking process.
• Reduce sodium by selecting low-sodium chicken broth and mild salsa verde to control salt content.
• Use gluten-free tortilla chips for celiac or gluten-sensitive diners to make the recipe completely allergen-friendly.
• Swap chicken with jackfruit or firm tofu for vegetarian version, adjusting liquid and seasoning levels accordingly to maintain authentic flavor profile.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 190
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg