Chicken Chili Verde (Printable View)

Tender chicken in vibrant green sauce with charred tomatillos, peppers, and garlic creates this bright Mexican classic.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

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

→ Green Sauce

04 - 1 1/2 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 bunch fresh cilantro, about 1 cup loosely packed
10 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
11 - 1 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1 tbsp fresh lime juice

→ For Cooking

14 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil

→ Garnishes (optional)

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

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat broiler to high. Arrange tomatillos, poblano peppers, jalapeños, onion, and unpeeled garlic cloves on a baking sheet. Broil for 8–10 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 completely smooth.
03 - Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high. Add chicken and sear until lightly browned, about 3–4 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, then return chicken to the pot, nestling it into the sauce. Cover and simmer gently for 45–50 minutes, until chicken is tender and cooked through.
05 - 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.
06 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, avocado, radishes, and lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce develops an incredible depth from the charred vegetables that you cannot achieve any other way
  • It reheats beautifully and actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld
02 -
  • Never put hot sauce directly into a sealed blender or it may explode from pressure buildup
  • Removing the garlic skins while the cloves are still warm is much easier than waiting until they cool completely
03 -
  • Add a handful of raw pumpkin seeds to the blender for extra body and a subtle nutty flavor
  • A splash of cream or coconut milk at the end can tame too much heat
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