(Green Mexican Hominy & Chicken Soup) 🇲🇽
Pozole Verde de Pollo is a traditional Mexican comfort soup made with tender shredded chicken, hearty hominy, and a vibrant green chile sauce made from tomatillos, peppers, cilantro, and fresh herbs. This flavorful soup is a favorite for family gatherings, holidays, and Sunday meals, topped with fresh garnishes that make every bowl unique.
Full Recipe (Ingredients + Instructions)
Ingredients 🍲
For the Chicken Broth
- 3–4 pounds bone-in chicken thighs or breasts
- 10 cups chicken broth or water
- 1 large white onion, quartered
- 6 garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
For the Green Chile Sauce 🌿🌶️
- 2 pounds tomatillos, husked and washed
- 4–6 roasted Hatch green chiles or Anaheim peppers
- 2–4 serrano peppers (adjust for spice)
- ½ white onion
- 5 garlic cloves
- 1 large bunch fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt to taste
- 1 cup chicken broth
For the Pozole
- 3 cans (25 ounces each) white hominy, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
Place chicken in a large pot with:
- Chicken broth
- Onion
- Garlic
- Bay leaves
- Salt
- Pepper
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for:
35–45 minutes
until chicken is tender.
Remove chicken, shred, and set aside.
Strain the broth if desired.
Step 2: Make the Green Chile Sauce
Roast:
- Tomatillos
- Green chiles
- Serranos
- Onion
- Garlic
until lightly charred.
Blend with:
- Cilantro
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Lime juice
- Chicken broth
- Salt
until smooth.
Step 3: Cook the Green Sauce
Heat olive oil in a large pot.
Add diced onion and cook until softened.
Pour in green sauce.
Simmer for:
10–15 minutes
to develop the flavors.
Step 4: Add Chicken & Hominy
Add:
- Shredded chicken
- Hominy
- Chicken broth
Simmer together for:
30 minutes
until the flavors combine.
Adjust seasoning to taste.
Traditional Pozole Verde Toppings 🌿
Serve with:
🥬 Shredded cabbage
🧅 Diced white onion
🌿 Fresh cilantro
🥑 Avocado slices
🍋 Lime wedges
🌶️ Sliced radishes
🌮 Warm tortillas
🌶️ Extra salsa verde
Extra Recipe Tips & Variations ✨
🌶️ Hatch Green Chile Pozole
Use roasted Hatch green chile for a smoky New Mexico-style flavor.
🐷 Traditional Pork Version
Replace chicken with pork shoulder for classic pozole verde de puerco.
🧀 Creamy Pozole Verde
Add a small amount of Mexican crema for a richer, smoother broth.
🔥 Extra Spicy Version
Add:
- Chile serrano
- Chile jalapeño
- Chile de árbol
for more heat.
🍗 Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut
Use shredded rotisserie chicken to make this recipe faster.
Flavor Upgrades / Secret Tips 🔥
✅ Roast the tomatillos and peppers for deeper flavor.
✅ Use bone-in chicken for a richer broth.
✅ Let the soup simmer longer—the flavor gets better.
✅ Rinse hominy before adding to remove excess canned flavor.
✅ Add fresh lime at the end to brighten the soup.
Serving Ideas 🍽️
Perfect for:
- Sunday family meals
- Holidays
- Mexican celebrations
- Cold weather dinners
- Weekend gatherings
Serve with:
🌮 Corn tortillas
🧀 Quesadillas
🥑 Guacamole
🌽 Mexican street corn
🍚 Mexican rice
Storage Tips 🥡
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer:
Freeze for up to 3 months.
For best results, freeze without fresh toppings.
Reheating:
Warm slowly on the stove and add fresh toppings before serving.
Nutrition Facts (Approximate)
Per serving:
- Calories: 450–550 kcal
- Protein: 40–50 g
- Carbohydrates: 45–55 g
- Fat: 15–25 g
- Fiber: 8–10 g
(Values vary depending on toppings and ingredients.)
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q: What does pozole mean?
A: Pozole is a traditional Mexican soup made with hominy and meat, known for its rich broth and fresh toppings.
Q: What makes Pozole Verde green?
A: The green color comes from tomatillos, green chiles, cilantro, and fresh herbs.
Q: Can I make Pozole Verde ahead of time?
A: Yes! Like many Mexican soups, the flavor becomes even better the next day.
Q: Is hominy the same as corn?
A: Hominy is corn that has been treated through a process called nixtamalization, giving it a unique texture and flavor.
Social Media Captions ❤️
Facebook Style:
“A warm bowl of Pozole Verde de Pollo is pure Mexican comfort! 🌿🍲 Tender chicken, hearty hominy, and a flavorful green chile broth topped with fresh garnishes. The perfect meal for bringing family together.”
Instagram Style:
“Green, fresh, and full of tradition 🌿🇲🇽 Pozole Verde is a bowl of Mexican comfort you’ll never forget!”
Short Viral Caption:
“One bowl, endless flavor 🌿🍲🇲🇽”
Family Memory Style:
“Some recipes carry generations of memories. ❤️ Pozole Verde is more than soup—it’s family, tradition, and love served in every bowl.”
Final Food Description 🍴
Pozole Verde de Pollo is a traditional Mexican green pozole made with tender chicken, chewy hominy, and a flavorful green chile tomatillo broth. Finished with fresh toppings like cabbage, onion, cilantro, avocado, and lime, this comforting soup is a beautiful celebration of Mexican home cooking. 🌿🍲🇲🇽✨