Best 6 Tomatillo Braised Chicken Thighs Recipes

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Savor the tantalizing flavors of Mexico with our delectable tomatillo-braised chicken thighs recipe. These tender chicken thighs are lovingly simmered in a vibrant tomatillo sauce, creating a dish bursting with authentic Mexican flavors. The tomatillo sauce is a delightful symphony of tangy tomatillos, spicy chilies, and aromatic spices, complemented by the succulent chicken thighs. This recipe is a perfect blend of tangy, savory, and spicy flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. It's a culinary journey to the heart of Mexico, right in your own kitchen. Additionally, we present enticing variations to cater to different preferences. Craving a smoky twist? Try our chipotle-braised chicken thighs, where the smoky heat of chipotle peppers adds an extra layer of depth to the dish. If you prefer a milder flavor profile, our creamy tomatillo-braised chicken thighs offer a luscious sauce enriched with cream for a velvety texture and a delightful balance of flavors. No matter your preference, these recipes promise an unforgettable culinary experience.

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BRAISED CHICKEN WITH TOMATILLOS AND JALAPENOS



Braised Chicken with Tomatillos and Jalapenos image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

6 tomatillos, husked
2 jalapenos
Extra-virgin olive oil
4 chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat and skin
4 chicken legs
Kosher salt
1 large Spanish onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
3 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
2 cups chicken stock
2 limes, zested and juiced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus a few more leaves for garnish
1/2 cup sour cream
2 limes, zested and juiced

Steps:

  • For the chicken: Preheat the grill.
  • Place the tomatillos and jalapenos on the grill and cook until the skins char and blister, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the tomatillos and jalapenos from the grill and let cool.
  • Coat a large, wide straight-sided saute pan with olive oil and bring to medium-high heat.
  • Sprinkle the chicken generously with salt. Add the chicken legs and thighs, skin-side down, to the hot pan. Brown the chicken well on all sides. Remove from the pan and reserve.
  • Ditch the excess fat from the pan and add a few drops of new oil. Add the onions, season with salt and cook until the onions are very soft and aromatic, 7 to 8 minutes.
  • While the onions are cooking, coarsely chop the tomatillos and reserve. Chop the jalapenos into 1/4-inch dice and reserve with the tomatillos. If you want to tone down the heat, remove the seeds from the jalapenos before chopping.
  • Add the garlic to the pan with the onions and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Add the reserved tomatillos and jalapenos. Stir to combine and add the chicken stock, lime juice and zest. Taste and season with salt if needed (it probably will).
  • Return the chicken to the pan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 15 minutes.
  • Remove the lid and let cook for 15 more minutes. This will allow the stock to reduce. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed.
  • For the sour cream: Combine the sour cream with the lime zest and juice and reserve.
  • Remove the chicken from the pan and stir in the cilantro.
  • Spoon the sauce over the chicken, sprinkle with cilantro leaves and serve with the lime sour cream.
  • Beverage Pairing Suggestion: Light Lager

BRAISED CHICKEN WITH TOMATILLOS



Braised Chicken with Tomatillos image

This braised chicken with tomatillos has a slightly tart green sauce made from tomatillos, onions, peppers, garlic, lime, and cilantro that's perfect with chicken cooked until falling apart tender, whether on the stovetop or in the slow cooker.

Provided by Kate McMillan

Categories     Mains

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 1/2 pounds assorted chicken pieces (skin-on and bone-in or boneless and skinless)
1 large yellow onion (finely chopped)
2 cups homemade chicken stock or canned chicken broth
3 Anaheim or poblano chiles ((fresh or canned), roasted, peeled, and finely chopped (in a pinch, 1 or 2 jalapeños will work))
6 cloves garlic (minced)
1 1/2 pounds tomatillos* (husked, rinsed, and quartered (see * above))
3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro (plus whole leaves for garnish)
2 to 3 teaspoons ground cumin (or to taste)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Cooked white rice or warm tortillas (optional)

Steps:

  • To make the Braised Chicken With Tomatillos in your slow cooker, see the Slow Cooker Variation below.To make the Braised Chicken With Tomatillos on the stovetop, heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Salt and pepper the chicken pieces on all sides. Working in batches, sear the chicken until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
  • Reduce the heat to medium, add the onion to the pan, and cook until softened, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Add the stock or broth to the pan, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the roasted chiles, garlic, tomatillos, chopped cilantro, and cumin. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Return the chicken and any juices that've collected on the plate to the pan, cover, and simmer, turning once, until the chicken is opaque throughout, 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size and type.
  • Transfer the chicken to a platter and loosely cover with foil to keep it warm.
  • Add the lime juice to the sauce remaining in the pan and simmer over medium-high heat until slightly reduced and thickened, 10 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. If a smoother sauce is desired, pulse all or half the sauce in a food processor or blender until the desired consistency is reached.☞TESTER TIP: When guesstimating how long it will take for the chicken to cook, keep in mind that boneless chicken pieces and white meat will cook more quickly whereas bone-in chicken and dark meat will take closer to the full amount of time.
  • Meanwhile, shred the chicken, if desired, discarding any skin and bone.
  • Pour the sauce over the chicken pieces or shredded chicken on the platter and garnish with the whole cilantro leaves. Serve with rice or tortillas on the side.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 portion, Calories 523 kcal, Carbohydrate 16 g, Protein 38 g, Fat 34 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 137 mg, Sodium 246 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 8 g, UnsaturatedFat 22 g

BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH TOMATILLOS



Braised Chicken Thighs With Tomatillos image

Categories     Chicken     Dinner

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tablespoon canola oil
4 chicken breasts
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 red onion, sliced
1 pound tomatillos, chopped
1 jalapeno, sliced
4 cups chicken stock
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 1/2 cups cilantro

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add to pot, skin side down and cook, without disturbing, until skin has rendered most of the fat and is a nice golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. (You want it to be very deeply golden brown so that it stays nice and brown as it braises.)
  • Using tongs, flip the chicken and continue to cook until nicely browned on the other side, another 5 or so minutes.
  • Transfer chicken to a plate or cutting board, leaving all the fat and golden bits behind. Add smashed garlic and half of the sliced onion. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomatillos and half of the jalapeño and season with salt and pepper. Add chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and add chicken back in, skin side up (they will not submerge all the way; that's fine). Simmer, uncovered, until tomatillos have completely broken down and the sauce has thickened, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Continue to cook until flavors have melded and the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon (it should be looser than tomato sauce, thicker than soup), another 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, combine remaining onion, remaining jalapeño and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Season with salt and pepper and toss to combine.
  • Serve each piece of chicken with sauce spooned around. Top with jalapeno mixture and cilantro.

CHICKEN WITH TOMATILLO SAUCE AND BRAISED FRUIT



Chicken with Tomatillo Sauce and Braised Fruit image

Provided by Roberto Santibañez

Categories     Chicken     Fruit     Garlic     Herb     Onion     Pepper     Sauté     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 (3-pound) chicken, quartered
1 tablespoon dried oregano (preferably Mexican)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, halved, thinly sliced crosswise
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
2 tablespoons minced chipotle chiles (from canned chipotles in adobo)*
2 pounds tomatillos, husked, rinsed, quartered
1 cinnamon stick
1 pound pears, peeled, cored, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
4 ounces dried apricots (about 2/3 cup)
3 ounces dried cherries (about 1/2 cup packed)
3 green onions, chopped
10 large fresh epazote leaves,** finely chopped (optional)
Warm corn tortillas
*Available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Latin markets.
**A fresh herb that is available at Latin markets.

Steps:

  • Rub chicken with salt, pepper, and oregano. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.
  • Heat oil in a heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plate. Add onion to pot; sauté 2 minutes. Add garlic and chipotles; stir 1 minute. Stir in tomatillos and cinnamon stick; return chicken pieces to pot. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally, about 35 minutes. Add pears, apricots, and cherries and simmer until pears are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Transfer to serving dish; sprinkle with chopped green onions and epazote, if desired. Serve with warm tortillas.

TOMATILLO-BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS RECIPE - (4.3/5)



Tomatillo-Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe - (4.3/5) image

Provided by lovemygolden

Number Of Ingredients 12

12 ounces tomatillos (about 5 medium), husks removed
6 garlic cloves
1 medium jalapeño pepper, halved and seeded
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup unsalted chicken stock (such as Swanson)
1 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
8 bone-in chicken thighs (about 1 3/4 pounds), skinned
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
3 tablespoons Mexican crema

Steps:

  • Preheat broiler to high. Place first 3 ingredients on a jelly-roll pan; broil 9 minutes, turning after 5 minutes. Combine tomatillo mixture, cilantro, stock, and flour in a blender; process until smooth. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add chicken to pan, meaty side down; cook 5 minutes or until browned. Turn chicken over; top with tomatillo mixture. Partially cover pan; reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 9 minutes or until chicken is done. Sprinkle with tomatoes; top with crema. Cooking Light May 2014 Note: MyRecipes is working with Let's Move!, the Partnership for a Healthier America, and USDA's MyPlate to give anyone looking for healthier options access to a trove of recipes that will help them create healthy, tasty plates. For more information about creating a healthy plate, visit www.choosemyplate.gov. Nutritional Information: Amount per serving Calories: 302 Fat: 16g Saturated fat: 3.4g Monounsaturated fat: 6g Polyunsaturated fat: 3.1g Protein: 30g Carbohydrate: 9g Fiber: 2g Cholesterol: 105mg Iron: 2mg Sodium: 446mg Calcium: 34mg

INSTANT POT® BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS AND TOMATILLOS



Instant Pot® Braised Chicken Thighs and Tomatillos image

Quick, easy, and delicious Instant Pot® chicken thighs! Serve with a side salad.

Provided by Chuck Minor

Categories     Everyday Cooking     Instant Pot¨     Main Dishes

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

8 (4 ounce) skin-on chicken thighs
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken stock, divided
6 medium tomatillos, husked and quartered
1 medium jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
½ cup chipotle mayonnaise
¼ cup chopped cilantro
1 medium lime, zested and juiced
1 large avocado, sliced

Steps:

  • Lay chicken thighs out on a cutting board and season with cumin, salt, and pepper.
  • Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select the Saute-High function. When display reads "hot" add oil. Saute chicken thighs until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate.
  • Add onion and garlic to the pot and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1/2 of the chicken stock and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to remove any browned bits. Cancel Saute function.
  • Add tomatillos, jalapeno, and remaining chicken stock to the pot. Place chicken back on top. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 10 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
  • While the chicken is cooking, mix mayonnaise, cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice together in a small bowl.
  • Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.
  • Remove chicken from the pot and place on serving plates. Top each serving with onion-tomatillo mixture, a spoonful of mayonnaise mix, and sliced avocado.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 632.3 calories, Carbohydrate 17.6 g, Cholesterol 137.5 mg, Fat 46 g, Fiber 7.4 g, Protein 39.3 g, SaturatedFat 8.9 g, Sodium 1327.4 mg, Sugar 5.2 g

Tips:

  • Choose ripe tomatillos: Look for tomatillos that are firm and have a bright green color. Avoid tomatillos that are soft or have brown spots.
  • Roast the tomatillos: Roasting the tomatillos intensifies their flavor and makes them slightly smoky. You can roast the tomatillos in the oven or on the stovetop.
  • Use a variety of spices: This recipe uses a combination of spices, including cumin, chili powder, and oregano. You can adjust the amount of spices to your taste.
  • Cook the chicken thighs until they are cooked through: The chicken thighs should be cooked until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Serve with rice or tortillas: This dish can be served with rice or tortillas. You can also add a side of beans or salad.

Conclusion:

Tomatillo braised chicken thighs are a delicious and easy-to-make dish. The chicken thighs are succulent and flavorful, and the tomatillo sauce is tangy and slightly smoky. This dish is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion.

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