Salsa Verde Chicken
Salsa Verde Chicken is a quick, easy, and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a tangy, fresh salsa verde made from tomatillos, green chilies, and cilantro. Perfect for busy weeknights, it offers vibrant flavors with minimal ingredients and is versatile enough to serve as a main dish, taco filling, or over rice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup salsa verde (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Rinse and pat dry the chicken pieces. Chop the onion, mince the garlic, and roughly chop the cilantro. If using store-bought salsa verde, stir it well; if homemade, blend tomatillos, jalapeños, onion, garlic, and cilantro until smooth.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Sear each side until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side, to lock in juices and develop flavor.
- Simmer in Salsa Verde: Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour the salsa verde over the chicken, then add chopped onions and garlic to the pan. Cover and simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Finish with Fresh Lime and Cilantro: Once cooked, squeeze fresh lime juice over the chicken and sprinkle with chopped cilantro before serving to enhance brightness and aroma.
Notes
- Use fresh tomatillos for the best tang and brightness; canned salsa verde might lack depth.
- Don’t skip searing the chicken to lock in juices and add rich flavor.
- Adjust the heat by choosing mild or hot green chilies and removing seeds if less spice is desired.
- Let the chicken rest in the sauce for a few minutes after cooking to meld flavors perfectly.
- Chicken thighs yield juicier results, but breasts are fine for a leaner option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Salsa Verde Chicken, quick chicken recipe, Mexican chicken, healthy chicken dinner, easy weeknight meal, tomatillo chicken
Find it online: https://sophiespace.com/salsa-verde-chicken/