One-Pot Wonders

Tomatillo Chicken Soup

May 28, 2015
4.7
3 Ratings
  • Makes makes 1 big pot (6-8 servings)
Author Notes

First let me start by saying this soup recipe is honestly one of my all time favorites. I love any type of Mexican dish that comes with salsa verde, tomatillo sauce, green sauce, you name it. So when I decided I wanted to make a soup one Sunday afternoon, I knew I had to incorporate that yummy green sauce.

I love making soups and actually think it's probably my specialty (people always ask me what it is). I recently learned at a wedding shower my aunt and cousins threw me this past weekend, that soup is Brian's favorite thing I make. After learning that I naturally had to make one for him! —Brussels Sprouts for Breakfast

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • for the soup:
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (cubed)
  • 10 - 12 tomatillos (paper removed and rinsed)
  • 1 yellow onion (diced)
  • 7 cloves garlic (sliced)
  • 1 poblano
  • 1 can mild or hot green chilies
  • 3 teaspoons cumin
  • 3 teaspoons oregano (dried)
  • 3 teaspoons green chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 lime (juice)
  • 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • salt and pepper
  • olive oil
  • for the toppings:
  • fresh cilantro
  • queso fresco
  • non fat Greek yogurt
  • red onion (diced)
  • red cabbage (shaved on mandolin)
  • lime slices
  • avocado cubes
Directions
  1. You're going to multitask to begin. Get three things going around the same time. Turn on your broiler. Place tomatillos on foil lined baking sheet and pop under the broiler. Let one side char for about 4 minutes, then flip over and let the other side char for another 4. Remove from broiler and set to rest.
  2. As tomatillos char, char the poblano on a gas burner or pop into the over under the broiler with the tomatillos. Let all sides char. Let cool once charred, then remove stem and most seeds before dicing up.
  3. As tomatillos and poblano char, heat a soup pot or Dutch oven over medium high heat and add olive oil. Drop in chicken breast cubes and add 1 tsp cumin, oregano, green chili powder and 1/2 tsp coriander. Add some salt and pepper as well. Let cook for about 7 minutes until browned a bit. It may not be entirely cooked through, but that's okay. Remove to a plate.
  4. Lower heat to medium and add a bit more olive oil. Add onion and garlic, with 1 tsp cumin, oregano, green chili powder and 1/2 tsp coriander. Let cook for 5 minutes. Add in diced poblano and can of chilies. Let cook for another 3 minutes.
  5. Add the whole charred tomatillos with their skin and all juices. Crush a little bit with your cooking utensil and mix everything to combine. Add salt and pepper. Add the juice of 1 whole lime.
  6. Add all chicken broth with remaining cumin, oregano, chili powder and coriander. Add an extra dash of salt. Bring to a boil. Once boiling lower heat, cover and let simmer for 30 minutes.
  7. After 30 minutes, puree with an immersion blender until mostly smooth. Add chicken back in and let simmer for 45 minutes over low heat, until chicken is super tender.
  8. Serve in a bowl with lots of fresh cilantro, cabbage, Greek yogurt, onions, lime juice, avocados and queso fresco. Feel free to leave anything out, or add anything else that sounds yummy.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Pumpkiness
    Pumpkiness
  • Brussels Sprouts for Breakfast
    Brussels Sprouts for Breakfast
  • Vuec
    Vuec

3 Reviews

Vuec October 29, 2018
Hi,

What can I use as a substitute for green chili powder? Or where can I buy it? Thank You excited to make this.
 
Pumpkiness November 5, 2017
I recently had a bumper crop of tomatillos and found this recipe. My husband and I agreed immediately this is the best soup I've ever made (and I make a lot of soup). Really loved the addition of the raw cabbage and avocado. I did make one addition for my husband, which was a can of hominy. Yummmmmm!
 
Brussels S. November 5, 2017
So glad you loved it! Reading your comment reminded me how good it was, and I should make it again soon!