Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Searing the Chicken for Unmatched Flavor
- Heat a tablespoon of neutral oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add your boneless skinless chicken breasts chunks in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Sear them until they are lightly browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. This crucial step creates a beautiful crust and initiates the Maillard reaction, developing complex, savory notes.
- Once the chicken is seared, remove it from the pan and set aside. Pour a splash of chicken broth into the hot pan and scrape up all those flavorful browned bits (the "fond") from the bottom. This concentrated, savory liquid is pure gold for your pozole!
Slow Cooker Assembly and Simmer
- Now, combine the seared chicken, the deglazed broth from the pan, the remaining chicken broth, your authentic red enchilada sauce, finely diced yellow onion, minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, and kosher salt into a large slow cooker. Stir everything together until well combined. The aroma of spices will already start to fill your kitchen!
- Cover your slow cooker and let the magic happen. Cook on LOW for 5 ½ hours or on HIGH for 3 ½ hours. The chicken will become incredibly tender and infused with all those amazing flavors.
Shredding and Finishing Touches
- Once the cooking time is complete, carefully transfer the chicken chunks onto a large plate or cutting board using a slotted spoon. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. It should be fork-tender and incredibly easy to shred. Return the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker.
- Next, add the thoroughly drained and rinsed white hominy and the dried Mexican oregano to the slow cooker. Give it another good stir. Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes to allow the hominy to warm through and the flavors to meld beautifully. Remember to taste and adjust the seasoning throughout this process; you might want to add a little more salt or a pinch of spices to balance the flavors.
Serve and Garnish Generously
- Your slow cooker chicken pozole is now ready to be enjoyed! Ladle the rich, fragrant broth and tender chicken into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh lime juice, crisp shredded cabbage, fragrant cilantro, finely diced onions, and bright, thinly sliced radishes.
Nutrition
Notes
This slow cooker chicken pozole shines with a deep, authentic flavor, largely thanks to the essential pre-searing of the chicken and deglazing of the pan. Don't skip the fresh toppings—they add crucial texture and brightness. This recipe is naturally gluten-free and perfect for meal prep, tasting even better the next day. Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.