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A delicious recipe for Pozole Rojo (Red Pozole) that can be made in an Instant pot or the stovetop. A healthy, delicious, Mexican-inspired weeknight dinner that can be made in 30 minutes! Gluten-free!
This hearty Mexican soup called Pozole Rojo is simple to make and super delicious! 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 stovetop 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.
Looking for a green Pozole? Our Pozole Verde is incredibly flavorful too – made with tomatillos!
What is Pozole?
Pozole is a traditional Mexican stew or soup, typically made with hominy, braised pork and chilies. There are red versions called Pozole Rojo, made with dried red chilies., and green versions called Pozole Verde made with fresh green chilies.
In this version of Pozole Rojo Pollo, we are using dried red chilies to build the flavor. Instead of pork we are lightening it up a bit with chicken.
What type of Hominy to use?
In this recipe, 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, drain this off and 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.
Instant Pot Pozole Rojo!| 60-sec video
The Chicken Pozole is so easy. I love its heartiness and flavor.
How to Serve Pozole:
Fresh toppings give pozole such a great texture- they are a must!
- Avocado
- Jalapeño
- Shredded cabbage
- Thinly sliced onion
- Cilantro
- Sour cream
- Hot sauce
How to store Pozole?
Pozole will keep for 5 days in the fridge (if properly cooled), or freeze for up to 6 months.
More recipes you may like!
- Pozole Verde (aka Green Pozole)
- Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Mexican Noodle Soup
- 30 Fresh & Tasty Mexican Recipes!
- Our 25 Best Instant Pot Recipes | Easy Pressure Cooker Meals
On the homefront: 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…
xoxo
Pozole Rojo (Red Pozole)
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: soup, stew, main
- Method: instant pot, stove-top
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
A delicious, authentic recipe for Pozole Rojo made with chicken that can be made in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop. A healthy, delicious, Mexican-inspired weeknight dinner that can be made in 30 minutes! Gluten-free!
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 Pepper ( feel free to experiment with other Mexican dried chilies)
- juice from one lime ( 2–3 tablespoons)
Optional Toppings: avocado, lime wedges, jalapeño, shredded cabbage, thinly sliced onion, radish, grated cheese or Mexican sour cream.
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Set instant pot to “Saute” function ( If cooking on the stovetop see notes)
- 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.
- Add chicken, broth and cooked hominy.
- If adding 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. If you have time, toast them in a dry skillet first to release their oils- or if not just add them in like that.
- Give a good stir and set instant pot to high pressure, for 14 minutes.
- Naturally, release the pressure, and using two forks, shred the chicken.
- 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!
- Serve with avocado, lime, jalapeño, shredded cabbage or radish, and sour cream.
Notes
Stovetop Instructions: To cook on the stovetop, just follow the same instructions above 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, adding lime juice, and adjusting salt to taste.
Originally I tried making this with dried hominy and it didn’t cook all the way through. Then I read that you should discard the 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 – a 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. 😉
For a brothier soup, feel free to add 2 more cups of chicken stock, adjusting salt to taste.
Chicken thighs offer the best flavor here but if you prefer chicken breasts, lower pressure cooking time to 8-9 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cups
- Calories: 319
- Sugar: 4.8 g
- Sodium: 566.8 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 23.8 g
- Fiber: 4.6 g
- Protein: 32.6 g
- Cholesterol: 142 mg
Keywords: pozole rojo, pozole recipe, pozole, the best pozole recipe, chicken pozole recipe, instant pot pozole, instant pot chicken pozole recipe, instant pot chicken soup, mexican chicken soup, hominy recipes
Wow, this soup was amazing, packed with intense flavors and beautiful color. I’d like to double the recipe for my next potluck. Can you provide the tips? Thank you very much for sharing. It’s a mainstay. Yummy! 😄
★★★★★
Will you use an Instant Pot or stovetop? Doubling is strait forward if using the stovetop- just make sure doubling fits in your instant pot if using?
It doubles nicely – just make sure you have the extra room to cook it all.
This had incredible flavor with a nice kick! (I subbed the hominy for garbanzo beans same texture). My absolute favorite and it’s so fast in the instant pot. Can’t wait to make the green one!! 😋
★★★★★
Awesome Tina!
Just made this! So good and so easy! Thanks for sharing.
Great to hear Jennifer!
!!!
★★★★★
I made this on a stove top last week for my family of 4. They love it including my 2 teen kids. It’s not easy to make a healthy soulful dish that everyone in my family enjoys, and this is one of them. Thank you so much for this recipe.
★★★★★
Oh Great Bay! So Happy everyone enjoyed- always a great feeling. 🙂
The red chile posole should be made by soaking the red chile pods, about 2 hrs. till soft enough to pull stems off. Put some of the water from the soak and blend with soft chiles, garlic, oregano and salt. Don’t add green chile.
Yes, that is a great idea if not using the instant pot. In the instant pot they soften up really well.
My grocer only has ground Guajillo powder. I’m inSan Antonio, Texas so it’s hard to explain that one…how much do you suggest using?
Hi Cara- I’m surprised it is hard to find there! I would start with 1-2 tablespoons? More to taste?
This recipe with chicken turned out great. Didn’t have masa but polenta made a good thickener for this soup. I used sauteed bone in/skin chicken thighs in my crock pot and adjusted the cooking times accordingly. Yummy! Thanks for a really good recipe.
★★★★★
Perfect Karen! Glad this worked in the slow cooker!
Super easy and can make modifications as needed. I just make it on the the stovetop.
★★★★★
Perfect and great to hear!
Don’t forget to eat with tostadas from the Mexican isle
★★★★
Great suggestion~!
Pozole was amazing…as testified by 5 others! My suggestion would be to cut the chicken amount in half and increase the chicken broth by 50%…that may require some increases to the spices also. I ended up with too much chicken without any broth.
However…quick…easy…and amazing!
Great to hear Steve- yes, you can easily make this more brothy.
Agreed- last time I made it we decided more broth was needed the next time.
Ok I will note the recipe! Thanks so much!