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Pozole Rojo de Pollo is a hearty, classic Mexican soup that gets a big boost of flavor from two dried chili varieties: Ancho chilies, the dried versions of the relatively mild poblano pepper, and guajillos chilies, the dried version of the hotter mirasol pepper.
How To Make Pozole Rojo de Pollo
For this classic Mexican soup, you need the following ingredients:
- 3 large dried ancho chilies stems removed and deseeded
- 2-3 dried guajillo chilies stems removed and deseeded
- 2 garlic cloves smashed and peeled
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- ½ medium yellow onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 1¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 whole bay leaves
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 25- ounces can hominy with liquid
- 3-4 small radishes thinly sliced
- 3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 large lime cut into 8 wedges
You start by placin dried chilies and smashed garlic in a small saucepan and add enough water to cover. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the chilies soften – around 5-6 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
While the chilies are simmering, heat olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent, around 4-5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
Add ground cumin, Mexican oregano, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. Stir to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes, or just until the spices become fragrant.
Add chicken and reduce heat to medium. Cook until lightly browned on all sides, around 2-3 minutes per side.
Add bay leaves, chicken stock, and hominy. Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a rapid simmer.
Once simmering, transfer the ancho and guajillo chilies mixture to a blender or a food processor and blend until smooth. Pour chili mixture into the pot and reduce heat to just below medium. Partially cover with a lid and cook for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours to give the flavors more time to develop.
After at least 30 minutes, remove from heat and carefully shred the chicken using two forks while still in the pot. Remove bay leaves and discard.
Ladle hot soup into individual serving bowls and top with sliced radishes, fresh cilantro, or other desired toppings. Serve immediately with fresh lime wedges for squeezing. Enjoy!
Ancho chilies are more readily available in most grocery stores, but guajillo chilies
can be much harder to find in many areas. Both can be found in many larger grocery stores, in Mexican specialty markets, or ordered online, however.
Pozole Rojo de Pollo (Red Pozole with Chicken)
Ingredients
- 3 large dried ancho chilies stems removed and deseeded
- 2-3 dried guajillo chilies stems removed and deseeded
- 2 garlic cloves smashed and peeled
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- ½ medium yellow onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 1¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 whole bay leaves
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 25- ounces can hominy with liquid
- 3-4 small radishes thinly sliced
- 3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 large lime cut into 8 wedges
Instructions
- Place dried chilies and smashed garlic in a small saucepan and add enough water to cover. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the chilies soften, around 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- While the chilies are simmering, heat olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent, around 4-5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
- Add ground cumin, Mexican oregano, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. Stir to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes, or just until the spices become fragrant.
- Add chicken and reduce heat to medium. Cook until lightly browned on all sides, around 2-3 minutes per side.
- Add bay leaves, chicken stock, and hominy. Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a rapid simmer.
- Once simmering, transfer the ancho and guajillo chilies mixture to a blender or a food processor and blend until smooth. Pour chili mixture into the pot and reduce heat to just below medium. Partially cover with a lid and cook for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours to give the flavors more time to develop.
- After at least 30 minutes, remove from heat and carefully shred the chicken using two forks while still in the pot. Remove bay leaves and discard.
- Ladle hot soup into individual serving bowls and top with sliced radishes, fresh cilantro, or other desired toppings. Serve immediately with fresh lime wedges for squeezing. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Although pozole is traditionally made with pork, this flavorful version features boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead.
This brothy, flavorful soup is perfect served with classic pozole toppings, including sliced radishes, shredded cabbage or lettuce, diced avocado, red onions, and/or fresh chopped cilantro.
For an after dinner treat, enjoy a slice of Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream Pie.
Buen provecho!
