If you’re craving a hearty, comforting, and richly flavored meal that’s easy to prepare, then you’re going to love this Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Recipe. This traditional Mexican stew features tender chicken simmered with hominy and aromatic spices, resulting in a bowl full of cozy goodness that warms from the inside out. It’s the perfect dish for chilly evenings or whenever you want to impress your family or friends with bold, authentic flavors without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple yet essential ingredients is the first step to crafting a delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Recipe. Each item plays a special role, whether it’s the hominy adding chewy texture, the spices bringing depth, or the chicken providing hearty protein.
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Choose thighs for more flavor or breasts for leaner protein.
- 1 (25 oz) can white hominy, drained and rinsed: Adds that classic chewy, corn-based texture and heartiness.
- 1 small onion, diced: Provides a subtle sweetness and savory base.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses the broth with robust aroma and flavor.
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies: Offers a mild heat and a hint of tanginess.
- 1 tbsp chili powder: Brings warmth and complexity to the stew.
- 1 tsp ground cumin: Adds earthiness and smoky undertones.
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano: Enhances the herbal notes characteristic of traditional posole.
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional): For a subtle smoky depth that complements the chilies beautifully.
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth: The flavorful liquid base that gently simmers everything together.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors.
- Juice of 1 lime (optional): Adds a fresh, bright finish that lifts the whole dish.
- Garnishes (optional): Shredded cabbage, sliced radishes, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and tortilla strips for added texture and freshness.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Recipe
Step 1: Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker
Start by placing the chicken, hominy, diced onion, minced garlic, green chilies, chili powder, ground cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and chicken broth into your slow cooker. Give everything a gentle stir to ensure the flavors begin mingling, creating a rich base for your posole.
Step 2: Cook
Cover the slow cooker and let it do its magic. Cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. This slow simmer allows the chicken to become incredibly tender while infusing every bite with those signature posole spices.
Step 3: Shred Chicken
Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred it finely. Return the shredded chicken to the pot, stirring it back into the flavorful broth and hominy mixture. If you’re using lime juice, now’s the time to stir it in for a lovely citrusy brightness.
Step 4: Adjust Seasoning
Give your posole a taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. This step is key for bringing out every nuance of flavor and ensuring your Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Recipe shines.
Step 5: Serve
Ladle the steaming posole into bowls and pile on your favorite garnishes. Whether it’s crunchy cabbage, peppery radishes, creamy avocado, fresh cilantro, or crispy tortilla strips, these toppings add texture and contrast that makes every bite exciting.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Recipe
Garnishes
The beauty of this Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Recipe is how wonderfully it adapts to your toppings. Shredded cabbage for crunch, sliced radishes for peppery freshness, diced avocado for creaminess, and chopped cilantro for a herbal lift—each garnish amplifies the flavors and adds layers of texture. Don’t forget those lime wedges and tortilla strips too! They bring zest and crispness that make the bowl absolutely irresistible.
Side Dishes
While the posole can stand perfectly on its own as a filling meal, you can serve it alongside warm corn tortillas, Mexican rice, or a light side salad for added variety. These sides complement the stew without overpowering it, letting the rich spiced broth and tender chicken always take center stage.
Creative Ways to Present
Looking to impress at a dinner party or switch things up? Serve the posole in rustic bowls with small individual plates of garnishes so guests can customize their own bowls. Or layer the posole with crispy tortilla chips and a sprinkle of cheese for a playful nacho-inspired twist. No matter how you present it, the homemade charm of this Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Recipe will shine through.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Recipe, store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator. It keeps well for up to 4 days, making it a fantastic make-ahead meal for busy weeknights. The flavors even deepen when it rests!
Freezing
This posole freezes beautifully, making it truly a time-saver. Transfer cooled portions into freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 3 months. When you need a comforting bowl of stew, just thaw and reheat gently.
Reheating
Reheat leftover posole on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can add a splash of broth or water if it seems too thick. Avoid rushing this step to keep the chicken tender and the flavors balanced.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs add extra moisture and flavor, making the posole even more succulent. Both breasts and thighs work wonderfully in this recipe, so choose based on your preference.
What is hominy, and where can I find it?
Hominy is dried corn kernels treated with an alkali solution that softens them and adds a unique chewy texture. You can find canned white hominy in most grocery stores, often near the beans or Hispanic foods section.
Is this recipe spicy?
This Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Recipe has mild to moderate heat, thanks to the green chilies and chili powder. If you’d like more spice, you can add extra chilies, hot sauce, or jalapeños to taste.
Can I make this recipe in advance for a party?
Definitely! This posole is perfect for making ahead of time because the flavors develop even more after sitting. Prepare it a day before your event, refrigerate, and reheat gently just before serving.
What are good vegetarian substitutes for this dish?
You can swap chicken for hearty vegetables or beans like jackfruit, mushrooms, or pinto beans to create a vegetarian posole. Just adjust the cooking time and broth accordingly to maintain depth of flavor.
Final Thoughts
I’m telling you, this Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Recipe is one of those rare dishes that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. It’s simple to make yet bursting with layers of authentic flavor that’ll have you coming back for seconds. Give it a try on your next cozy night in—you’ll thank me later!
Print
Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Posole is a comforting and flavorful Mexican stew made with tender chicken, hominy, green chilies, and a blend of spices slow-cooked to perfection. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy family meal, served with fresh garnishes like shredded cabbage, radishes, avocado, and lime wedges for a vibrant finish.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 (25 oz) can white hominy, drained and rinsed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lime (optional)
For Garnish (optional)
- Shredded cabbage
- Sliced radishes
- Diced avocado
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Tortilla strips
Instructions
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Place the chicken breasts or thighs, drained hominy, diced onion, minced garlic, diced green chilies, chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika if using, and low-sodium chicken broth into the slow cooker. Stir everything together to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the low setting for 6 to 7 hours, or on the high setting for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is completely cooked through and tender enough to shred.
- Shred Chicken: Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker and stir well to mix. If using, squeeze the juice of one lime into the posole and stir to incorporate the fresh citrus flavor.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste your posole and season with additional salt and pepper as needed to enhance the overall flavor.
- Serve: Ladle the posole into bowls and garnish with your choice of shredded cabbage, sliced radishes, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and crispy tortilla strips for added texture and freshness. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- You can use either chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference; thighs will provide a richer flavor and more tender meat.
- Smoked paprika is optional but adds a lovely smokiness to the stew.
- If you prefer a spicier posole, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
- Hominy can be substituted with canned corn if necessary, but the traditional texture will differ.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Use low-sodium broth to control the saltiness in the dish.
