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Best Easy Pollo en Yerba Santa Recipe

Name: Best Easy Pollo en Yerba Santa Recipe
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 240 g
Ingredients: bone-in skinless chicken thighs 2 lbs; onion 1 cup; poblano pepper 2 pieces; serrano chile 2 pieces; garlic 4 cloves; yerba santa leaves 8 large leaves; olive oil 2 tbsp; chicken broth 2 cups; salt 1.5 tsp; black pepper 0.5 tsp

Tender chicken braised in a fragrant sauce of yerba santa leaves and green chiles. This chicken dish is a healthy, high protein meal with fresh herbal flavors unique to Southern Mexico.

Cook 60 min Difficulty NORMAL 285 kcal

#high protein #mediterranean

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Ingredients

Main ingredients

bone-in skinless chicken thighs 2 lbs
onion 1 cup
poblano pepper 2 pieces
serrano chile 2 pieces
garlic 4 cloves
yerba santa leaves 8 large leaves

Seasonings/Sauce

olive oil 2 tbsp
chicken broth 2 cups
salt 1.5 tsp
black pepper 0.5 tsp

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 7 g 10%

Protein 31 g 44%

Fat 13 g 46%

Serving size 240g

Cooking steps

1

Heat olive oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add the chicken thighs and brown for 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
2

Add chopped onion to the pot; sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened, scraping any browned bits.
3

Add poblano peppers, serrano chiles, and garlic; cook for another 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
4

Return chicken to the pot. Add chicken broth, yerba santa leaves (torn or chopped), salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
5

Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and braise for 40-45 minutes until chicken is tender and the sauce is aromatic. Serve hot with extra sauce spooned over the chicken.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?

Yerba santa leaves are the star ingredient, giving Pollo en Yerba Santa its unique herbal aroma and flavor that's central to its Southern Mexican identity. The chicken provides lean, high-quality protein, but it's the yerba santa that sets the dish apart.

Q. How do I ensure the chicken stays tender and juicy?

Braising the chicken over low heat for about 40-45 minutes allows it to gently cook without drying out. Browning the chicken first seals in moisture, while covering the pot and keeping the simmer gentle prevents overcooking.

Q. What texture should I expect, and how can I prevent a rubbery result?

You should expect the chicken meat to be fall-off-the-bone tender, with a velvety, herbaceous sauce. To avoid toughness, don't rush the braising step or increase the heat—steady low heat is key.

Q. How many calories and how much protein are there per serving?

Each serving of this Pollo en Yerba Santa recipe contains about 285 kcal and delivers 31 grams of high-quality protein, with protein accounting for 44% of total calories. It's a balanced but high-protein dish, making it a great healthy meal choice.

Best Easy Pollo en Yerba Santa Recipe

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