Instant Pot Chicken Pozole

A simple easy recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Pozole that can also be made on the stove top. A healthy, delicious, Mexican-inspired weeknight dinner that can be made in 30 minutes! Gluten-free!

This hearty Mexican soup called Pozole is simple to make and full of delicious flavor! It will leave you feeling satisfied and full without being loaded up with fat or calories. In this recipe I’ve substituted chicken instead of traditional pork. And the best part? It can be made in an instant pot or on the stove top in a short amount of time. The soup actually tastes better and better over time, so make a batch ahead for midweek meals. You will feel comforted in knowing you have something nutritious and delicious waiting for you at home, when time feels short.

In this version of pozole, you can use canned hominy or dried hominy that has been pre-cooked. You don’t want to use the cooking liquid of dried hominy in the soup itself – so if using dried hominy, be sure to read the recipe notes. I will say,  I’m partial to dried hominy because I love the toothsome texture. But the canned hominy is just fine too. We do it both ways at home! Using canned is obviously faster and more easily accessible.

Have I ever told you that September is my favorite month of the year? I love how cool and delicious the night air feels. And I especially love the transition into cooking warmer things like soups and stews. There is something so cozy about it, so soothing in a way.  Not just the eating… but the cooking itself.

Cooking can be so comforting. So grounding, especially this time of year.

It’s a lovely thing to feel, simply being present with the task at hand, just being with the onions, when you are chopping them. Just being with cooking itself. Like a meditation, relaxing, mind-clearing. A gift.

Take the moments when you can…

The Chicken Pozole is easy.

Serve it up with avocado, jalapeño, cilantro and a big dollop of sour cream.

The Chicken Pozole keeps for 5 days in the fridge ( if properly cooled).

How to properly cool soup:

To properly cool soup, place it uncovered in the fridge after it cools on the counter to roughly room temp (about an hour). Store it something where soup is not more than 4 inches deep. So a wide, shallow container is best. Leave it uncovered in the fridge until throughly chilled overnight, then cover.

To save time, sometimes, I actually store leftover soup in an 8 inch wide stainless pot. That way I can just move it directly from fridge to the stove, and save washing an extra dish. Get it? 😉

Ok enjoy!

xoxo

Instant Pot Chicken Pozole

★★★★★

5 from 16 reviews

A simple easy recipe for Chicken Pozole that can be made in an Instant Pot or on the stove top. A healthy, delicious, Mexican-inspired weeknight dinner that can be made in 30 minutes! Gluten-free! #instapot #instantpot #pozole #chickenpozole #rojo #weeknightdinner #mexican #healthy

• Author: Sylvia Fountaine
• Prep Time: 10
• Cook Time: 20
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x
• Category: soup, stew, main
• Method: instant pot, stove-top
• Cuisine: Mexican

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 4–6 garlic cloves, rough chopped
• 4 ounce can diced green chilies
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons salt, more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder, more to taste
• 2 lbs chicken whole thighs ( skinless, boneless)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 3–4 cups cooked hominy -2 to 3 cans drained, or use pre-cooked dried hominy, see notes
• 1 dried Mexican Guajillo Peppers (optional)
• juice from one lime ( 2–3 tablespoons)

Optional Toppings : Sour cream, avocado, lime wedges, jalapeño, shredded cabbage, radish, grated cheese.

Instructions

1. Set instant pot to “Saute” function ( If cooking on the stovetop see notes)
2. Heat oil and add onion and garlic, stirring. Once tender and fragrant, add green chilies and tomato paste.  Add chili powder, cumin, salt, oregano and ground chipotle.
3. Add chicken, broth and cooked hominy.
4. If adding the the dried chilies, break them in half and shake out the seeds. Either crumble/tear into small pieces or cut into small strips with kitchen scissors.
5. Give a good stir and set instant pot to “high”, for 16 minutes.
6. Naturally release the pressure, and using two forks, shred the chicken.
7. Add the lime juice. Adjust spice level and salt. If your hominy was not salted, you will most likely need more. As this sits on “warm”, flavors will meld and get better. Leftovers, even better!
8. Serve with sour cream, avocado, lime, jalapeño or shredded cabbage. (I like sour cream)

Notes

Originally I tried making this with dried hominy and it didn’t cook all the way through. Then I read that you should discard water that dried hominy cooks in or soaks in. So I ended up using dried hominy that I cooked earlier (draining the cooking liquid). I loved the texture of the dried hominy best –  little heartier and toothsome.

For a thicker soup, you could blend half or a third of the hominy with some broth. I prefer brothy soups, but I know, not everyone does. 😉

To cook on the stove top, Just follow the same instructions, using a heavy bottom pot or dutch oven. Then simmer the soup ( covered)  for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken thighs pull apart easily with a fork. After shredding the chicken, simmer for a few more minutes.

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