Chicken Chili Verde (Printable)

Tender chicken in a vibrant charred pepper and tomatillo green sauce, creating a bright tangy Mexican classic.

# What You'll 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 Steps:

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 smooth to create the verde sauce base.
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 from the bottom. Bring to a simmer.
05 - Return chicken to the pot, nestling it into the sauce. Cover and simmer gently for 45–50 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 Tips:

01 -
  • The verde sauce strikes that perfect balance between tangy brightness and earthy depth
  • Chicken thighs stay tender and juicy even after simmering for an hour
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day as the flavors deepen
02 -
  • The broiling step is non negotiable, that charred flavor is what makes this sauce taste authentic
  • Let the sauce cool for a few minutes before blending to avoid a hot explosion in your blender
  • Simmer gently rather than boiling hard to keep the sauce smooth and velvety
03 -
  • Adjust the heat level by keeping some seeds in the jalapeños or adding an extra pepper
  • If the sauce tastes too acidic, add a pinch of sugar to balance the tomatillos
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