Pollo en Salsa de Chile de Árbol (Chicken in Arbol Chilli Sauce)
Chicken thighs simmered in a smoky, hot roasted tomatillo and chilli sauce, served over red rice.
Made with Salsa taquera (roasted chile de arbol salsa) and Mexican red rice (arroz rojo). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.94 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large wide pan over a medium high heat. Brown the chicken thighs for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Take out and set aside.
8 min - 2
Fry the onion in the same pan for 5 minutes, add the garlic and oregano and cook for 1 minute.
6 min - 3
Add the passata and your ready made salsa taquera (see the base recipe). Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
5 min - 4
Return the chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over, cover and simmer gently for 25 to 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender, with no pink at the bone.
30 min - 5
Meanwhile, warm your ready made red rice (see the base recipe) in a covered pan with a splash of water until steaming hot all the way through.
- 6
Scatter over the coriander and serve the chicken and sauce over the rice.
Tips
- This sauce is hot. Add more passata or a splash of water if you want it milder.
- Remove the skin for a cleaner, less greasy sauce, or leave it on and brown well.
- Check the thickest part of the chicken is steaming hot with no pink before serving.
Storing and freezing
Cool quickly and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze the chicken in sauce for 2 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Reheat rice only once.
Questions
How can I tone down the heat?
Add more passata, a spoonful of tomato puree or a splash of water. A little crema or yoghurt on the plate also cools it.
Can I use chicken breast?
Yes, but simmer for only 15 to 20 minutes or it will dry out. Thighs stay more tender.
Is this gluten free?
Yes. The sauce, chicken and red rice contain no gluten. Check the passata label.
More made with salsa taquera (roasted chile de arbol salsa)
Tacos de Carnitas (Crisp Pulled Pork Tacos)
DFEFNFTacos Sudados de Carnitas (Steamed Basket Tacos)
DFEFNFTlacoyos de Frijol (Bean Stuffed Masa Cakes)
GFEFNFHuevos al Albañil (Bricklayer's Eggs in Fiery Salsa)
DFNFVSee every dish made with salsa taquera (roasted chile de arbol salsa)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.