Chicken Chili Verde (Printable Version)

Tender chicken in a vibrant tangy green sauce with charred peppers, tomatillos, and garlic.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Green Sauce

04 - 1.5 lbs tomatillos, husked and rinsed
05 - 2 poblano peppers
06 - 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded for less heat
07 - 1 large onion, peeled and quartered
08 - 6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
09 - 1 cup fresh cilantro, loosely packed
10 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

→ Cooking

14 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

→ Garnishes

15 - Chopped fresh cilantro
16 - Diced avocado
17 - Sliced radishes
18 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Preheat broiler to high. Arrange tomatillos, poblano peppers, jalapeños, onion, and unpeeled garlic cloves on a baking sheet. Broil for 8 to 10 minutes, turning as needed, until vegetables are charred and softened. Let cool slightly, then peel garlic and remove stems and seeds from peppers as desired.
02 - Transfer broiled vegetables, peeled garlic, cilantro, chicken broth, cumin, oregano, and lime juice to a blender. Blend until smooth.
03 - Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear until lightly browned, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. Add the blended green sauce to the pot, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer.
05 - Return chicken to the pot, nestling it into the sauce. Cover and simmer gently for 45 to 50 minutes, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
06 - Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the sauce and stir to combine. Simmer uncovered for another 5 minutes to thicken if desired.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, avocado, radishes, and lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce is bright and tangy without being heavy, making it perfect for any season or mood.
  • You can have dinner on the table in just over an hour, and your house will smell incredible the whole time.
02 -
  • Don't skip the broiler step or try to use raw vegetables—the char is what makes this sauce sing, not the speed of preparation.
  • If your sauce seems too thin after simmering, uncover the pot for the last few minutes and let it reduce naturally instead of adding cornstarch or flour.
03 -
  • If your blender struggles with hot vegetables, let them cool for a full minute before blending, or work in batches.
  • For extra richness and body, stir in a handful of roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) after blending—it's a texture game changer.
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