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Salsa Verde Chicken

Salsa Verde Chicken
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Salsa Verde Chicken is a quick and flavorful Mexican-inspired dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a tangy, slightly spicy green salsa made from fresh tomatillos, jalapeños, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice. Ready in under 30 minutes, this versatile meal is perfect for weeknight dinners and pairs beautifully with tortillas, rice, or beans, delivering a healthy, zesty meal the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 to 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Salsa Verde

  • 1 pound tomatillos, husked, rinsed, and roughly chopped
  • 1 jalapeño pepper (adjustable to taste; start with half for mild heat)
  • 2 to 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped, plus extra for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • Pinch of salt

Additional Cooking Liquid

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Salsa Verde: Husk and rinse about a pound of tomatillos, then roughly chop them. In a blender or food processor, combine the tomatillos, jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Blend until the salsa is smooth but still slightly chunky to keep texture and freshness.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the hot skillet and sear each side for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown. This locks in moisture and develops a flavorful crust.
  3. Simmer in Salsa Verde: Pour the fresh salsa verde over the seared chicken in the skillet. Add the chicken broth to keep the chicken moist. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pan. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for about 15 minutes until fully cooked and infused with the vibrant salsa verde flavors.
  4. Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle fresh cilantro on top. Serve the Salsa Verde Chicken with your choice of sides such as corn tortillas, Mexican rice, beans, or a fresh salad to enjoy every drop of the zesty sauce.

Notes

  • Use fresh tomatillos for the best flavor—choose firm, bright green ones without blemishes.
  • Don’t overblend the salsa; keep some texture for an authentic bite.
  • Adjust heat by adding jalapeño gradually or including cayenne pepper for a spicier version.
  • Let the chicken rest a few minutes after cooking to lock in juices and improve tenderness.
  • Deglaze the pan with chicken broth or water before adding salsa to capture browned bits and enhance flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Salsa Verde Chicken, Mexican chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner, tomatillo chicken, healthy Mexican dish, easy weeknight meal, gluten free chicken

Find it online: https://elenaglam.com/salsa-verde-chicken/