Chicken Posole Soup Recipe

A Chicken Posole Soup Recipe is just that, a dish that is history , comfort and celebration all in one pot. With tender chicken, plump hominy, deeply flavored broth and all the bright toppings you can pile on, each spoonful explodes with layers of flavor and texture. It’s the kind of soup that warms you to your core, earthy, tangy and just a little smoky, with plenty of stick-to-your-ribs heartiness.
Posole (or pozole) is a dish steeped in Mexican tradition, one frequently enjoyed at special gatherings, holidays and family events. But today it’s a cherished everyday recipe in large part because it delivers big flavor with easy steps. Like these hearty Oooh Delish faves, Chicken Tortilla Soup and some cozy comfort food delights like Spanish Chicken and Rice posole, are big, bold, comforting and completely customizable. Top it with your favorites, adjust for heat or brighten with lime, and each bowl is a unique creation.
The ingredients are what make this Chicken Posole Soup Recipe so memorable, that perfect combination of the chew you get from hominy and the richness of broth balanced with a hint of fresh toppings such as cabbage, radish, avocado, cilantro and lime. Whether it’s the comfort you need after a day in blustery cold, while celebrating with guests at an over-the-top party, or just armchair-traveling by dipping into vibrant Mexican flavors from home, this soup serves up warmth and tradition that gets right to the soul.

• Origins of Chicken Posole Soup Recipe
• Health Benefits of Chicken Posole Soup Recipe
  • Nutrition Highlights Table (Per Serving)
• Tips & Tricks – Chicken Posole Soup Recipe
• Chicken Posole Soup Recipe Variations
• Chicken Posole Soup Recipe From OoohDelish!
• Share Your Twist on This Chicken Posole Soup Recipe!
• FAQs: Chicken Posole Soup Recipe

Origins of Chicken Posole Soup Recipe

The Chicken Posole Soup Recipe that we know today has its origins hundreds of years ago, a staple in ancient Mesoamerican culture, where posole (also spelled pozole) was not only a meal but also served as ceremonial fare. The original pozole was made with hominy, a main ingredient derived from the nixtamalization of corn that had deep cultural and spiritual meaning for the Aztecs and other Indigenous peoples who revered corn as a sacred crop. Pozole was served on very special occasions such as these, representing unity, abundance and gratitude.
As the recipe was handed down from generation to generation, regional Mexican riffs were developed. Pozole rojo, in central and southern Mexico, employed dried chilies for deep red color and heat. In other areas, pozole verde was made with tomatillos, cilantro and green chilies for a bright, tangy version. And pozole blanco provided a brothy, less aggressive version that allowed the hominy and meat to shine. Pork was the traditional protein of choice; however, once Mexican food made its way around the world and home cooks adapted to more healthful versions, Chicken Posole Soup Recipe could be found all over for their comfort, ease of prep and versatility.
Today, posole is a favorite holiday dish to serve at Christmas, New Year’s and Mexican Independence Day (and just another delicious, hearty dinner any other day of the week). That pastiche of hominy, aromatics, broth and spices, with a zillion booming accoutrements, evokes the complicated history of Mexico’s culinary inheritance while allowing infinite creative variation. And every bowl carries centuries of history, culture and sustenance, which is why Chicken Posole Soup is one of the most soulful dishes you are ever going to set on your table.

Health Benefits of Chicken Posole Soup Recipe

This Chicken Posole Soup Recipe is not only perfectly comforting, delicious and aromatic, it’s also a nutritious, balanced meal that’s one of my favorite Mexican soups of all time! This soup is beneficial to digestion, immunity, and sustained energy due to its wholesome ingredients, such as chicken, hominy, veggies and herbs, but then packs them into a light enough meal that you can eat the whole batch in one day.

Lean chicken protein and fiber-filled hominy keep you full in this wise ​choice for clean-eating without skimping on flavor. Fresh garnishes, such as cabbage, radishes, cilantro and lime, add bright or spicy accents, raise the soup’s antioxidant content and enhance its load of essential micronutrients.

Since it’s naturally gluten-free and can be adjusted for sodium and spiciness, the Chicken Posole Soup Recipe is a great recipe to accommodate many eating styles, whether you’re doing heart-healthy cooking or powering up with a post-workout recovery meal.

Nutrition Highlights Table (Per Serving)

Tips & Tricks – Chicken Posole Soup Recipe

• Build a deeply flavored base: you’re sautéing onions, garlic and spices slowly to build flavor much as we do in comforting soups like the Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe (remember that’s all about the broth!)
• Hominy troubles: always rinse and drain canned hominy to eliminate brine overkill in the soup, so you’re left with a cleaner, well-balanced, soul-satisfying-flavored soup with better texture.
• Select the right chicken cut: Chicken thighs remain juicy and richer after a long simmer, as in cozy rice-based recipes, including Spanish Chicken and Rice, when tenderness is key.
• Never boil; instead, simmer gently: a slow simmer tenderizes the Chicken and enables spices to fully blossom without becoming overly bitter.
• Brighten it at the end: a squeeze of fresh lime juice added right before serving brightens the whole dish and keeps it from becoming overwhelmingly rich, a trick you’ll find in citrusy soups too, like Souplow Sodium Chicken Soup Recipe.
• Tame the heat smartly: By adding jalapeño or serrano slowly, you can always add more spice later, but you can’t take it away after the sauce becomes too spicy.
• Shred Chicken the right way: get all the Chicken out, shred fine, then add it back in so it can soak up all that flavoured broth perfectly!
• Top for texture contrast: Crunchy tortilla strips, fresh cabbage and radish slices provide the same textural alchemy as dishes with crispy finishes like Crispy Hot Honey Cauliflower Nuggets.
• You can meal-prep like a boss: keep the soup and toppings separate for maximum flavor deepening, and ultimate texture-preserving for multiple meals.
• Personalize without betraying tradition: you can play with the toppings to your heart’s content, without losing the soul of posole, and every bowl feels personal yet still authentic.

Chicken Posole Soup Recipe Variations

• Pozole Rojo Style: add dried guajillo or ancho chiles to the broth for a rich red color and smoky heat, providing a robust traditional Mexican-inspired flavor.
• Pozole Verde Twist: purée tomatillos, cilantro, green chilies and garlic right into the broth for a lively, tangy-herby take that feels so fresh and spring-like.
• Extra-Protein Chicken Posole: you could double the shredded chicken or throw in some white beans with the hominy for a super hearty, extra-filling bowl that’s more suited to active days.
• Low-Sodium Chicken Posole: broth low in sodium with herbs, citrus and spices for flavor, great for a lighter heart-smart meal.
• Spicy Chipotle Posole: add an extra depth of flavor with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, delivering the smoky heat without derailing from classic posole.
• Veggie-Packed Posole: incorporate zucchini, bell peppers or carrots for substance and nutrition without losing the cozy, satisfying nature of this soup.
• Slow Cooker Posole: let everything simmer away to create a rich depth of flavor, but with minimal effort.
• Instant Pot Posole: You don’t have to sacrifice flavor for speed: Pressure-cook the chicken and hominy for a quick, weeknight-friendly dinner.
• Creamy Posole End: stir in a little crema or Greek yogurt just before serving, for additional creaminess.
• Topping Bar Style: have everyone dress their bowls up with avocado, radish, cabbage, cilantro, lime and tortilla strips for a simple yet interactive meal.

Chicken Posole Soup Recipe From OoohDelish!

This Chicken Posole Soup Recipe delivers tender chicken, hearty hominy, and a richly seasoned broth in every spoonful.
Slow-simmered spices create deep flavor while fresh toppings add brightness and crunch.
It’s a comforting, satisfying soup perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in.
Naturally gluten-free and easy to customize for spice and toppings.
A timeless Mexican-inspired classic that warms both the body and the soul.

Chicken Posole Soup Recipe

A comforting Mexican-inspired soup made with tender chicken, hominy, warm spices, and fresh toppings for a hearty, flavorful bowl.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Healthy Soup

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4

Calories 380 kcal

Equipment

• Large soup pot or Dutch oven
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Wooden spoon
• Ladle

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb chicken thighs or breasts boneless or bone-in
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cans 15 oz each hominy, rinsed and drained
• 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• For Serving Optional Toppings:
• Shredded cabbage
• Sliced radishes
• Fresh cilantro
• Avocado slices
• Lime wedges
• Crispy tortilla strips

Instructions

 

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and sauté the onion until soft and translucent.
• Add garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and oregano, stirring until fragrant.
• Place chicken into the pot and lightly sear on both sides.
• Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, bay leaf, and hominy, then bring to a gentle simmer.
• Cover and cook until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
• Remove chicken, shred it with forks, then return it to the pot.
• Season with salt and pepper and simmer uncovered to deepen flavor.
• Serve hot with your favorite fresh toppings and a squeeze of lime.

Notes

• Chicken thighs provide richer flavor, while breasts create a lighter broth.
• Rinse hominy thoroughly to remove excess salt and improve texture.
• Add lime juice just before serving for the brightest flavor.
• Store soup and toppings separately for best meal-prep results.

Keyword chicken posole soup recipe, hominy soup, Mexican chicken soup, pozole chicken soup

Share Your Twist on This Chicken Posole Soup Recipe!

Did you make your Chicken Posole Soup Recipe extra smoky with chipotle or extra chili powder?
Did you load it up with crunchy cabbage, radishes, and creamy avocado for that “wow” bite?
Maybe you kept it mild for the family, or went bold and spicy like a festival bowl.

Whatever your twist is, we’d love to see it!
📸 Tag your creations with #OoohDelishTwist on Instagram or Facebook you might be featured!
💌 Want to share your unique version? Email us at contact@ooohdelish.com.

FAQs: Chicken Posole Soup Recipe