Best Easy Pollo en Pipián Verde Recipe

Chicken bathed in a luxurious green pipián sauce made from pumpkin seeds, tomatillos, and fresh herbs. This high protein dish showcases ancient Mexican culinary traditions for a memorable family meal.

Cook 55 min Difficulty NORMAL 340 kcal
#high protein #mediterranean #diabetic friendly
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • bone-in chicken thighs 2 lbs
  • tomatillos 12 pieces
  • pumpkin seeds (pepitas) 3 oz
  • fresh cilantro 1 cup
  • fresh parsley 0.5 cup
  • poblano peppers 2 pieces
  • onion 1 pieces
  • garlic cloves 3 cloves
Seasonings/Sauce
  • chicken broth 2 cups
  • olive oil 2 tbsp
  • salt 1 tsp
  • black pepper 0.5 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 18 g 21%
Protein 28 g 33%
Fat 15 g 46%
Serving size 250g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Roast tomatillos, poblano peppers, onion, and garlic on a sheet pan at 425°F for 15 minutes until softened and slightly charred.

  2. 2

    Toast pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

  3. 3

    Blend roasted vegetables, toasted pumpkin seeds, cilantro, parsley, salt, and pepper together with 1 cup chicken broth until smooth.

  4. 4

    Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high; sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 4 minutes per side until golden.

  5. 5

    Pour pipián verde sauce over the seared chicken, add remaining chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 35 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The key ingredient is pumpkin seeds (pepitas), which give the pipián verde its characteristic nutty flavor and creamy texture, defining the sauce's identity alongside tomatillos and fresh herbs.
Q. How do I ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked and moist?
For moist chicken, sear thighs with skin-side down over medium-high heat first, then simmer them gently in pipián verde sauce over low heat for 35 minutes. This approach locks in juices and infuses flavor without drying the meat.
Q. Which step prevents the sauce from becoming gritty?
Properly toasting pumpkin seeds over medium heat for just 3–4 minutes and thoroughly blending them with roasted vegetables is crucial. This prevents a gritty texture and creates a smooth, creamy pipián verde.
Q. How many calories and nutrients are in each serving?
Each serving contains approximately 340 kcal, 18g carbohydrates (21%), 28g protein (33%), and 15g fat (46%), making it a high-protein and balanced option for most diets.
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