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This heart healthy chicken posole combines tender shredded chicken, hominy, and a smoky chipotle-infused broth for a flavorful and satisfying dish. Low in sodium and packed with fresh vegetables and lean protein, this Mexican-inspired soup is both nourishing and delicious. Perfect for a cozy, balanced meal, it's sure to become a family favorite.
Find more comforting ideas in our heart healthy chicken recipes collection!
This healthy posole recipe is chef-tested and dietitian-approved. A traditional Mexican dish, it’s celebrated for its comforting warmth and robust taste. Our rendition stays true to tradition but we made it healthier by using ingredients such as reduced-sodium chicken broth, lean chicken breasts and lots of veggies. It’s a family friendly meal that will be enjoyed by adults and kids alike. As an added bonus, this one-pot chicken recipe can be made in an hour and it freezes well, making it a great high protein meal prep option.
Our easy chicken posole recipe combines easy-to-find ingredients to create authentic Mexican taste.To get the most flavor out of this dish, sauté vegetables before adding the remaining ingredients. Adding chipotle peppers in adobo sauce lends a smoky kick, while fresh cilantro adds brightness to every spoonful. Serve this soup with garnishes like diced avocado, radishes and baked tortilla chips. Or to kick it up a notch, slice some jalapenos for a bit of heat.
Although not all chicken posole recipes may be good for your heart, we’ve created a heart-healthy chicken recipe that is low in fat, containing only 3g of total fat and 1g of saturated fat per serving. It’s also low cholesterol, with only 26g. Although the sodium is a bit higher than some of our other low sodium recipes, the amount is lower than most other posole, soup or stew recipes. Additionally, this dish is low in calories, high in protein and contains heart-healthy fiber from the variety of vegetables and hominy.
All of the ingredients in this chicken and vegetable recipe are 100% gluten-free. Most of the ingredients are fresh and naturally don’t contain gluten. Hominy is a gluten-free grain made from corn. Since tortilla chips are typically made from corn, this topping is also safe for those who don’t eat gluten. But be sure to check labels on the chips, as well as the chicken broth, if you have a gluten sensitivity, allergy or celiac disease.
Recipe yields 12 servings
In a 5-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrot and celery; cook until onion is translucent, 3 to 5 minutes.
Add garlic, cook for 1 minute, then add tomato paste, chipotle in adobo, and epazote or oregano; cook, stirring constantly, until evenly distributed. Add 1 cup water, 2 cans chicken broth and 1 can hominy. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer.
In a blender or food processor, add remaining 1 can of chicken broth and remaining 1 can of hominy and process until smooth. Transfer hominy puree to saucepan and cook for about 30 minutes.
To the saucepan, add shredded chicken and cilantro; season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cook until heated through. To serve, divide among soup bowls, and garnish as desired.
Chicken is a versatile ingredient that adds protein and flavor to a variety of healthy recipes. For a quick weeknight meal, use leftover chicken in some of our easy chicken soup recipes like Santa Fe Chicken Soup, Quinoa Chicken Soup or Chicken and Rice Stew. Or try out the other healthy chicken recipes below.