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Chicken Pozole

4 servings

Dinner

Chicken Pozole

This quick Chicken Pozole Recipe packs hominy, shredded chicken, a rich seasoned broth, and plenty of toppings, ready in just 20 to 30 minutes!

author’s note

The 20-Minute Dinner That Feels Like a Fiesta!

I wanted to bring something new into our weeknight dinner rotation. My kids already loved soup nights, but I wanted a recipe that felt more exciting, with toppings that made dinner interactive and fun.

If you aren’t familiar, pozole (or posole) is a traditional Mexican soup or stew. There are three main types: Rojo (red), Blanco (white), and Verde (green). For this recipe, I went with the verde route and added chicken for a quick and irresistible Chicken Pozole Verde.

The first time I set out bowls of tortilla chips, lime wedges, cilantro, and avocado, everyone built their own bowls and went back for seconds. It wasn’t just dinner, it felt like a little DIY bar at the table. That’s when I knew this recipe was here to stay.

Quick Tip

If you’d prefer a Rojo (Red chicken pozole recipe), you’ve got to give my original 30-minute Pozole recipe a try. That specific recipe is made with pork, but you can certainly use chicken instead!

Prepped ingredients for this recipe laid out for straightforward assembly, including black beans, flour, green chiles, seasonings, oil, hominy, stock, bay leaf, chicken, and cilantro.

Ingredients

IngredientSwap or Tip
HominySwap with 1½ cups frozen corn in this chicken pozole recipe if hominy isn’t available.
Shredded ChickenIt is satisfying to using leftover baked chicken thighs but you can also use rotisserie chicken!
Green ChilesUse mild for kids, hot for spice-lovers.
Chicken StockChicken stock or broth works here!
Chili PowderStick to American chili powder for mild flavor.

Chicken Pozole Recipe Toppings

Pozole is all about the toppings, so don’t skimp. Setting out a toppings bar is half the fun.

  • Tortilla chips (a reliable way to scoop and dunk)
  • Fresh lime wedges (brightens everything up)
  • Ripe avocado slices or a scoop of guac (for creaminess)
  • Fresh cilantro (citrusy and fresh)
  • Crumbled Cotija cheese
  • Thinly sliced radishes (for crunch)
  • Shredded cabbage or romaine lettuce
  • Raw onion (white, yellow, or red)
  • Mexican crema or sour cream

My must-have combo: tortilla chips, lime juice, avocado, onion, and a sprinkle of Cotija.

Blending chiles with chicken stock, then sautéing oil with flour and spices before combining everything to cook together into chicken pozole.

chelsea’s recipe tips

Chicken Pozole Recipe Tips

  • Spice Control: Use mild green chiles and chili powder for a family-friendly version. Add cayenne for extra heat.
  • Chicken Shortcut: Rotisserie chicken makes this a 20-minute recipe.
  • Broth Quality: High-quality broth makes the flavor richer.
  • Texture Balance: Don’t skip the toppings. They bring crunch and brightness.

Storage

  • Fridge: Store this chicken pozole recipe (without toppings) in an airtight container up to 3–4 days.
  • Reheat: Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave (covered).
  • Freezer: Freeze (without toppings) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

More straightforward Soup Recipes:

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Cheeseburger Soup

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Black Bean Soup Recipe

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Salsa Verde Chicken Soup

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Chicken Corn Chowder Recipe

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