Get ready to fall in love with Slow Cooker Chicken Posole—a soul-warming Mexican stew that’s as wonderfully hearty as it is vibrant. Bursting with tender shredded chicken, chewy hominy, and a lively, flavorful broth, this recipe makes busy weeknights a breeze and impresses guests with its irresistible depth. What I truly adore about Slow Cooker Chicken Posole is that it delivers layers of comfort and authenticity with minimal effort, letting your slow cooker do all the magic while your kitchen fills with tantalizing aromas. Whether you savor it with all the toppings or keep it simple, this is one dish that brings everyone to the table with a smile.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Slow Cooker Chicken Posole is found in its simple yet vibrant ingredients, each playing a starring role in flavor and texture. Fresh aromatics, classic spices, and colorful toppings all come together for an unforgettable bowl—don’t skip any, each one brings its own special magic!
- Chicken thighs: Choose boneless, skinless thighs for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and rich flavor that builds a hearty base.
- White hominy: This classic Mexican ingredient adds wonderful texture and a subtle corn flavor that makes posole, well, posole!
- Yellow onion: Diced finely, it melts into the broth, building sweet, savory complexity with every simmering minute.
- Garlic: Three cloves really infuse the soup, offering warmth and depth without overpowering.
- Diced green chiles: These add a mild, savory kick and signature Southwest flavor—easy and pantry-friendly.
- Ground cumin: Essential for that earthy, smoky note running through the stew.
- Dried oregano: A sprinkle brings brightness and balance, pairing perfectly with the chiles.
- Chili powder: Just half a teaspoon wakes up the broth without being fiery or overwhelming.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): Use if you love a subtle smoky heat—it’s totally customizable!
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Four cups form the flavorful stew base; low-sodium keeps you in charge of the salt.
- Lime juice: A generous tablespoon adds just the right pop of tang and freshness at the end.
- Salt and pepper: Go to taste—remember, toppings and broth can both impact seasoning!
- Chopped cilantro (for serving): A fistful of herbs brings color, aroma, and bright flavor with every bite.
- Sliced radishes (for serving): Crisp and peppery, they contrast beautifully with the tender stew.
- Diced avocado (for serving): Creamy, cool, and oh-so-luxurious as a finisher.
- Shredded cabbage (for serving): Adds crunch, freshness, and extra nutrition—don’t skip this traditional touch.
- Lime wedges (for serving): Let everyone squeeze extra zing into their own bowl.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Posole
Step 1: Load Up the Slow Cooker
Layer the chicken thighs, drained hominy, diced onion, minced garlic, green chiles, cumin, oregano, chili powder, cayenne (if you love a little heat), and chicken broth into your slow cooker. Give it all a good stir so the seasonings and veggies mingle together, ensuring every bite of your Slow Cooker Chicken Posole is loaded with flavor later.
Step 2: Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic
Pop on the lid and set your slow cooker to low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours. As time passes, your kitchen will become an irresistible hub of cozy aromas, and the chicken will become fork-tender, ready to soak up every bit of savory broth.
Step 3: Shred the Chicken
When the chicken is thoroughly cooked and basically begging to fall apart, remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred it up—the texture should be juicy and perfect for soaking up all that posole goodness. Return the shredded chicken right back to your pot and give everything a big stir.
Step 4: Finish with Freshness
With the chicken back in, stir in a generous tablespoon of fresh lime juice to brighten the flavors. Taste your Slow Cooker Chicken Posole, then season with salt and pepper until it’s absolutely perfect. You’ll notice how just a squeeze of lime brings all those layers of flavor to life!
Step 5: Serve with Vibrant Toppings
Ladle your beautiful posole into bowls and let everyone have a little fun topping their own. Offer bowls of chopped cilantro, sliced radishes, diced avocado, shredded cabbage, and lime wedges so each serving is gorgeously unique and bursting with color and crunch.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Posole
Garnishes
Take your Slow Cooker Chicken Posole over the top by piling on the freshest garnishes you can find. Chopped cilantro, a handful of peppery radish slices, buttery avocado chunks, and crisp shredded cabbage all add vibrant layers of taste, texture, and color. Don’t forget those lime wedges—generous squeezes of citrus really make the flavors pop!
Side Dishes
While this stew shines all on its own, you can round out your meal with a few classic sides. Warm up some soft corn tortillas for scooping, or serve a side of simple Mexican rice. For a refreshing contrast, a crunchy cucumber and tomato salad or a bowl of chilled fruit makes for a perfect pairing.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to make Slow Cooker Chicken Posole the star of your next dinner party, try serving it in large mugs or rustic bowls, with a create-your-own toppings bar on the side. Or go all-in and offer a trio of mini garnished bowls for a colorful, festive first course at a dinner gathering!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Slow Cooker Chicken Posole keeps beautifully! Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors continue to deepen, and you might even find it tastes better after a night in the fridge.
Freezing
This stew is an absolute freezer hero. To freeze, ladle the cooled posole into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space for expansion. It’ll keep well for up to three months—just freeze without garnishes, and add those fresh when reheating.
Reheating
Reheat refrigerated or thawed posole gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until simmering. If you’re in a hurry, microwave individual portions in a microwave-safe bowl, covering with a damp paper towel to keep things moist and steamy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts will work just fine, but keep in mind that thighs offer a richer flavor and are less likely to dry out during slow cooking. If you prefer leaner meat or that’s what you have on hand, go for it—just watch the cook time and avoid overcooking so the chicken stays juicy.
What exactly is hominy, and why is it essential?
Hominy is corn that’s been treated to remove the hull and germ, then puffed up and softened—it’s traditional in posole, and gives this dish its signature chew and subtle sweetness. You’ll find it canned in most grocery stores, and once you try it in Slow Cooker Chicken Posole, you might just be hooked!
Is Slow Cooker Chicken Posole spicy?
As written, the soup has a gentle warmth from chili powder and green chiles, with optional cayenne if you’re craving more heat. You can always adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne, or by offering sliced jalapeños as an extra topping for those who like things fiery.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time for a party?
Definitely! Slow Cooker Chicken Posole is even better made in advance. You can prepare it fully, store it in the fridge (or freezer), and gently reheat before serving. Having all the garnishes ready to go allows your guests to personalize their bowls for a festive touch.
What if I want my broth extra thick or even more flavorful?
If you prefer a thicker, almost stew-like base, simply simmer the posole uncovered on the stovetop until it reaches your desired consistency. For extra depth, sauté the onions and garlic before adding to the slow cooker, or throw in a pinch of smoked paprika for a subtle twist.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re brand new to posole or it’s long been a family favorite, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of Slow Cooker Chicken Posole to bring people together. Try it just once and you’ll understand why it’s become a go-to in my own kitchen—warming, comforting, and bursting with flavor. Don’t forget all those toppings and make it your own!
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Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Warm up with this comforting Slow Cooker Chicken Posole, a traditional Mexican stew featuring tender shredded chicken, hominy, and flavorful spices. Serve with a variety of toppings for a customizable bowl of goodness.
Ingredients
Chicken Posole:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 (25 oz) can white hominy (drained and rinsed)
- 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving:
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced radishes
- Diced avocado
- Shredded cabbage
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Combine chicken thighs, hominy, onion, garlic, green chiles, cumin, oregano, chili powder, cayenne, and chicken broth in the slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours until chicken is tender.
- Shred Chicken: Remove chicken, shred, and return to the slow cooker. Add lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Serve: Top with cilantro, radishes, avocado, cabbage, and lime wedges.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by sautéing onion and garlic before adding to the slow cooker.
- Chicken breasts can be used as a substitute, but thighs offer more flavor and tenderness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
