"Nobody Does It Better" Smoked Chicken Pozole Verde

There is nothing like a comforting bowl of chicken pozole verde. Pozole is more than a stew, it's a soul quencher. You feel better on the first bite.

This isn't your typical pozole verde. I leveled up by using leftover smoked chicken. The smoked chicken adds greater depth of flavor and a bit more character.

For all the crazy amount of flavor achieved, the recipe is actually easy to make and the ingredient list isn't too long.

Beats and Eats (music to pair with pozole)

Pozole is laid-back comfort food. You eat it slowly while fellowshipping with friends or family. A nice cold cerveza or two is definitely in order. Nate Dogg's "Nobody Does It Better" is easy listening to comfort hip hop. Its consumption is for making memories with friends. It's got plenty of slow tempo grooves with nice harmonies.

What is Hominy

Hominy is essentially corn (maize) that has been processed into puffed kernels. By processed I mean the whole kernels are soaked in a lime solution to remove the hulls which in turns makes the kernels plump up into chewy kernels.?

Ingredients for Smoked Chicken Pozole Verde

• Olive oil
• Red onions
• Yellow onions
• Squash
• Poblano Pepper
• Salsa Verde
• Chicken Stock
• Smoked Chicken Half
• Canned White Hominy (pozole)
• Fresh Cilantro
• Lime (quartered)
• Avocado
• Salt and pepper
• Cumin
• Dried oregano
• Paprika
• Tortilla chips

How To Make Chicken Pozole Verde (Step by Step)

1. Heat dutch oven on medium heat. Add red and yellow onions and saute for 5 minutes.
2. Add poblano pepper and squash and saute another 2-3 minutes seasoning with half of the spices and dried oregano.
3. Add stock to the pot, bringing to boil and then reduce to simmer.
4. Add smoked chicken, and the remaining seasoning and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add the salsa verde the last 10 minutes of cooking.
5. Add cilantro sprigs plus juice from the lime to the pot. Stir and simmer for another 5 minutes.
6. Serve with avocado and tortilla chips. Enjoy

Cooking Tips and Considerations for Pozole

Use leftover smoked chicken bought from your favorite bbq restaurant. Otherwise simply season two chicken halves with salt and pepper. Smoke in a smoker at 225 degrees F until done. Feel free to use store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience.

Make your own chicken stock if you have time. It gives you greater control of slat content plus it will be a cleaner more complex flavor.

Season as you go, i.e. at each step.

Remove the seeds and veins from the poblano to keep the heat in check. I like to add other green chilis as well like jalapenos and serrano for additional complexity of flavor.

I use a quality store-bought salsa verde rather than making my own. There are a lot of good ones out there so it's simpler to buy than to make.

Time permitting let the pozole sit a spell. Time allows the flavors to come together in a more balanced way that you'll love.

For additional garnish consider thinly sliced radishes and/or pickled cactus.

This is a hearty stew so additional sides are unnecessary. I do like eating my pozole verde with biscuits or cornbread. They're great for sopping or dipping depending on your preference. If eating this as a side serve with Celery Root Steaks.

I will occasionally drop some salsa verde on top.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pozole

Are hominy and pozole the same thing?

I'm a big fan of pozole soup which is essentially a traditional Mexican stew/soup made with hominy. And if you're not up on hominy peep the Huffington Post article for a detailed description. In a nutshell, its corn kernels that have been puffed out by a mineral lime soaking process.

Hominy is a close cousin to grits or Island style polenta not to be confused with Italian polenta. I feature many Mexican ingredients in my cooking partially due to Texas proximity and partially because of the frequent vacations there.

Where can I buy/find pozole?

I'm a frequent shopper at Fiesta Grocery chain here in Texas and frequently buy pozole there. They have a huge section of Hispanic food, but also South and Central American and Afro-Caribbean. Note pozole can be found in most large format grocery stores, but will be labeled as hominy. It is typically located in the canned bean/vegetable aisle.

Can You Make Pozole with Beef or Pork?

Pozole is pretty versatile when it comes to ingredients, especially meat proteins. Pozole with pork or beef is quite good. You can also make good vegan pozole as well.

For similar recipes try these:

Brown Stew Chicken

Beef Stew

Bison Chili

Vegetable Beef Soup

Instant Pot Gumbo

Chicken Potato Soup (Ajiaco)

Okra Soup with Smoked Chicken

Peach Gazpacho

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