Easy Chicken Pozole Rojo Recipe
This chicken pozole recipe is a comforting Mexican soup, with hominy, lots of chicken, and a flavorful red sauce made with ancho and guajillo peppers. This is a quick and easy version.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: hominy, jalapenos, serrano, soup
Servings: 6 bowls
Calories: 179kcal
- 1 pound chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 jalapeno peppers chopped
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 can hominy – about 25 ounces
- 2 ancho peppers
- 2 guajillo peppers
- 3 ounces tomato paste (optional, if desired)
- 1 lime + extras for serving
FOR GARNISH: sliced radishes or pickled radishes, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapenos or serranos, onion, sliced avocado, lime wedges, tortilla strips, hot sauce, so many ideas!
FOR THE CHILI PASTE
Heat a small pan to medium heat and add the ancho and guajillo peppers. Dry roast them for 2-3 minutes, flipping occasionally, until they are fragrant.
Set them into a bowl of very hot water and cover for about 20 minutes to soften.
Transfer to a food processor with the tomato paste (if you are using it) and a few tablespoons of the soaking liquid. Add a bit of salt. Process until smooth. Set aside for now.
FOR THE CHICKEN POZOLE ROJO
Heat a large pot to medium heat and add some olive oil.
Chop the chicken breast into bite-sized chunks and season with salt, pepper and chili powder. Add to the pot and sear each side a couple minutes.
Add onion and jalapeno peppers. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring a bit.
Add garlic and cook another minute.
Add chicken broth, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, cumin, and hominy. Stir. Reduce heat to simmer.
Swirl the ancho/guajillo chili paste into your pozole.
Allow the pozole to simmer for 30 minutes, though 1 hour or longer is better to develop more flavor.
Squeeze in the juice from a half a lime and swirl into the soup and serve it in bowls.
Top with your favorite garnishments!
Heat Factor: Mild-Medium. Big on flavor, though!
Calories estimated without the garnish.
Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 304mg | Potassium: 805mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1020IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2mg