Chicken Chile Verde Recipes

CHICKEN CHILE VERDE

Steps:

• You can cook the chicken any way you want, but for this batch I brined and baked it. To brine the chicken, add 1/2 cup Kosher or sea salt to 2 quarts of water in a mixing bowl. Stir to dissolve the salt and add the chicken breasts, letting them brine in the fridge for 30 minutes or so. If the chicken isn't fully submerged then add a bit more water. Once brined, pat dry the chicken and add it to a baking sheet.
• Pull off the husks of the tomatillos and give them a good rinse. I usually de-stem them too. Add the tomatillos to the baking sheet along with the rinsed poblanos (and the chicken) and roast everything in the oven at 400F. Cook the chicken until it registers 160F or until the insides are no longer pink -- this usually takes 20 minutes but sometimes it will take a couple extra minutes if there was an extensive brine. Remove the chicken once cooked and let the poblanos and tomatillos roast for an additional 10 minutes or so. I usually cover the cooked chicken breasts with foil until I need them.
• De-stem and de-seed the roasted poblanos. Add the roasted poblanos and tomatillos to a blender along with 1/2 onion, 4 peeled garlic cloves, 15-20 cilantro sprigs, and 1-4 rinsed, de-stemmed jalapenos. If you want a milder batch start with 1 jalapeno, combine, and take a taste for heat level, adding more jalapeno to increase the heat. I used 2 1/2 jalapenos for this batch and it had some zip.
• Simmer the green sauce in a dollop of oil (or lard) over mediumish heat. Add 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano, 1/2 teaspoon cumin (optional), 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional), and some freshly cracked black pepper. Taste for seasoning. Note: if you brine the chicken you probably won't need to add much additional salt.
• Use two forks to shred the chicken breasts and then add the shredded chicken to the green sauce. Bring everything up to a uniform temp and serve immediately.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge where they will keep for a few days.
• If you want to serve them Tostada style, warm up the refried beans in a skillet over medium-low heat for a few minutes, crumble the Cotija cheese by pulling a knife across a chunk of it, dice up any Pickled Serranos or Pickled Jalapenos that you're using, and chop up some freshly rinsed cilantro. Each warm tostada shell gets refried beans, Chicken Chile Verde, Cotija, Pickled Yummies, cilantro, and a final squeeze of lime.

CHICKEN CHILI VERDE

Steps:

• In large 4-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Cook onion and garlic in oil 2 to 3 minutes or until onion begins to turn translucent. Add chicken pieces, salt and pepper. Cook 3 to 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center.
• Reduce heat to medium; stir in soup and beans. Simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro.

CHICKEN CHILE VERDE

Steps:

• Season chicken pieces with salt and black pepper on all sides.
• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken, 2 to 3 pieces at a time, until browned on all sides, about 15 minutes total. Set aside.
• Place tomatillos, jalepeno peppers, garlic, cilantro, and chicken stock in a blender and puree until smooth. Set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium-low heat in a Dutch oven. Stir in onion, cook and stir until onion is soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Stir in cumin, oregano, and bay leaf; cook 1 minute.
• Place chicken over onion mixture in the Dutch oven. Pour in tomatillo mixture. Bring to a boil, decrease heat to low and simmer, covered, until the meat is tender and falling off the bone, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Stir in potatoes and cook, uncovered, until they are easily pierced with a fork, about 35 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste; serve garnished with sour cream.

CHICKEN CHILI VERDE

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Coat with flour. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of chicken to skillet and sauté until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to large pot. Repeat with 1 tablespoon oil and remaining chicken.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic; sauté until onions are tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer to pot with chicken. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add Anaheim chilies and green bell peppers. Sauté until tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer to pot with chicken. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet. Sauté half of corn until tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer to pot with chicken. Repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and corn.
• Add chicken broth, tomatillos, oregano, chili powder, cumin, paprika and cinnamon sticks to pot. Bring liquid to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until mixture thickens and flavors blend, stirring occasionally, about 2 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Refrigerate until cool. Cover and keep refrigerated. Rewarm over medium heat before continuing.)
• Mix cilantro into chili. Transfer to large serving bowl. Garnish with tortilla chips and serve.