This Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Verde recipe is your ticket to a deeply flavorful, comforting, and incredibly easy weeknight meal. Imagine tender shredded chicken, hearty hominy, and a vibrant salsa verde broth simmering away in your crockpot, filling your home with the most amazing aroma. This set-it-and-forget-it dish delivers the authentic taste of Mexican comfort food with minimal effort. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to posole, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
We’re ditching the complicated steps and using the magic of the slow cooker to do all the hard work. The result is a rich, satisfying soup that tastes like it’s been simmering on the stove all day. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, game day gatherings, or any time you crave a warm, nourishing bowl of goodness.
What is Chicken Posole Verde?
Posole (or pozole) is a traditional Mexican soup or stew that’s been enjoyed for centuries. Its defining ingredient is hominy—corn that has been treated with an alkali solution in a process called nixtamalization, which gives it a unique, slightly chewy texture and puffy appearance. Posole comes in three main varieties: rojo (red), blanco (white), and verde (green). Our recipe focuses on the “verde” version, which gets its signature color and zesty, tangy flavor from a base of tomatillos, cilantro, and green chiles.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Recipe
- Incredibly Easy: Just add your ingredients to the slow cooker and let it work its magic. It’s the ultimate dump-and-go meal.
- Deeply Flavorful: Slow cooking allows the chicken, salsa verde, and spices to meld together, creating a broth with incredible depth of flavor.
- Perfectly Tender Chicken: The chicken becomes fall-apart tender, shredding with just two forks.
- Versatile & Customizable: The fun of posole is in the toppings! Set up a topping bar with avocado, cilantro, radishes, and more so everyone can customize their bowl. For another great customizable meal, check out this Taco Rice Bowl recipe.
- Makes Great Leftovers: The flavors get even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep.
The Key Ingredients for Posole Verde
Making this incredible Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Verde requires just a handful of simple, yet powerful ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create that signature vibrant green broth and hearty texture.
For the Posole
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work perfectly. Thighs will yield a slightly richer flavor, but breasts are leaner and just as delicious.
- Salsa Verde: A good quality store-bought salsa verde is our shortcut to amazing flavor. Look for one with tomatillos, cilantro, and jalapeños listed high in the ingredients.
- Chicken Broth: Use a low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the final dish.
- Hominy: Canned hominy is easy to find and works beautifully. Be sure to drain and rinse it before adding it to the slow cooker.
- Onion & Garlic: These aromatics build the foundational layer of flavor for the soup.
- Spices: Cumin and oregano are essential for that authentic posole taste.
The Best Toppings for Posole
Toppings aren’t just a garnish; they’re an essential part of the posole experience! They add texture, freshness, and complexity. Here are some of our favorites:
- Shredded Cabbage or Lettuce
- Thinly Sliced Radishes
- Diced Avocado
- Fresh Cilantro
- Crumbled Cotija Cheese
- A Squeeze of Fresh Lime Juice
- Tortilla Strips or Crushed Tortilla Chips
- Sour Cream or Mexican Crema
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Verde Step-by-Step
This recipe is designed for simplicity. Follow these easy steps, and you’ll have a perfect pot of posole waiting for you at dinnertime.
- Combine Ingredients: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Top with the diced onion, minced garlic, cumin, and oregano. Pour the salsa verde and chicken broth over everything.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and very tender.
- Shred the Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat. It should fall apart easily.
- Add Hominy and Chicken: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir in the drained and rinsed hominy.
- Warm Through: Cover and cook on high for another 20-30 minutes, just until the hominy is heated through. Give it a final taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. For another hearty slow cooker meal, try our Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup.
Tips for the Best Posole Verde
While this is an easy recipe, a few expert tips can take your Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Verde from great to absolutely unforgettable. For another chicken dish packed with flavor, you might also like this creamy Boursin chicken recipe.
- Don’t Add Hominy Too Early: Hominy is already cooked, so it only needs to be heated through. Adding it at the end prevents it from becoming mushy.
- Sear the Chicken (Optional): For an extra layer of flavor, you can briefly sear the chicken breasts in a hot, oiled skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. This isn’t necessary but adds a nice depth.
- Adjust the Spice: If you like it spicy, choose a “hot” salsa verde or add a diced jalapeño (with seeds for more heat) to the slow cooker along with the other ingredients.
- Broth Thickness: This posole has a broth-like consistency. If you prefer a thicker stew, you can remove a cup of the broth, whisk it with a tablespoon of cornstarch, and stir it back into the pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions
- Storage: Store leftover posole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the toppings separately.
- Freezing: This recipe freezes wonderfully! Let the posole cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Gently reheat the posole in a saucepan over medium-low heat until warmed through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.
What to Serve with Chicken Posole
While this Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Verde is a complete meal in a bowl, it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A warm flour or corn tortilla is perfect for soaking up the delicious broth. A simple side salad or some Authentic Spanish Rice can round out the meal beautifully.
FAQs
Absolutely! To adapt this for the stovetop, simply combine all ingredients (except the hominy) in a large Dutch oven or stockpot. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 1.5-2 hours, or until the chicken is tender. Shred the chicken, add it back to the pot with the hominy, and simmer for another 15 minutes.
This recipe has a soup-like broth. If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can make a slurry by whisking 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2-3 tablespoons of the hot broth in a separate bowl until smooth. Stir the slurry back into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Yes, it can be a very healthy and balanced meal. It’s high in lean protein from the chicken and provides complex carbohydrates and fiber from the hominy. The broth is packed with vegetables, and you can load it up with healthy toppings like avocado, cabbage, and radishes.
The signature flavor of posole comes from a combination of key ingredients. In posole verde, the tangy tomatillos, fresh cilantro, and mild green chiles create its characteristic zesty flavor. The earthy notes of cumin and oregano, along with the unique, slightly nutty taste of the nixtamalized hominy, complete the authentic flavor profile.
The primary difference is the type of chile used to make the base. Green posole (verde) is made with tomatillos, cilantro, and green chiles like jalapeños and poblanos, giving it a fresh, tangy, and zesty flavor. Red posole (rojo) is made with a base of dried red chiles, like ancho and guajillo, which gives it a deeper, earthy, and smoky flavor.
Enjoy Your Delicious Homemade Posole!
We know you’ll love this simple, flavorful Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Verde. It’s a comforting and impressive dish that takes almost no effort to prepare. Give it a try and don’t forget to share your beautiful creations with us on Pinterest. We can’t wait to see your customized bowls!
Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Verde
Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Verde: The Easiest, Most Flavorful Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Combine Ingredients: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Top with the diced onion, minced garlic, cumin, and oregano. Pour the salsa verde and chicken broth over everything.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred the Chicken: Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Add Hominy and Chicken: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir in the drained and rinsed hominy.
- Warm Through & Serve: Cover and cook on high for another 20-30 minutes to heat the hominy. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Make-Ahead: The posole can be made up to 2 days in advance; the flavors will meld and become even more delicious.
Toppings: Don't skip the toppings! They add crucial texture and freshness that completes the dish.
