Pollo en Salsa Verde con Arroz (Chicken in Green Sauce)
Tender chicken thighs simmered with potatoes in a tangy tomatillo and coriander sauce, served over fragrant green rice.
Made with Green enchilada sauce and Cilantro lime rice. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £4.65 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
Season the chicken with salt. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wide casserole over a medium-high heat and brown the thighs for 3 to 4 minutes a side. Lift out.
7 min - 2
Add the remaining oil and the onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add your ready made green enchilada sauce (see the base recipe), the stock and the potatoes and bring to a simmer.
5 min - 3
Return the chicken, cover and simmer gently for 25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through with no pink and the potatoes are tender.
25 min - 4
Meanwhile reheat your ready made arroz verde (see the base recipe) with a splash of water, covered, until steaming hot all the way through.
5 min - 5
Taste the sauce and adjust the salt. Serve the chicken and sauce over the rice with coriander and lime wedges.
Tips
- Thighs stay juicy in a simmered sauce. Breast works too, but cut the time to about 18 minutes.
- The sauce should be thick enough to coat a spoon. If thin, simmer uncovered for the final 5 minutes.
- Check the chicken is cooked through by cutting the thickest piece. The juices should run clear.
- Add a handful of green beans or courgette in the last 8 minutes for extra veg.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze the chicken and sauce for up to 2 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through and reheat the rice only once.
Questions
Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown the chicken and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours with the sauce, stock and potatoes. Cut the stock to 100 ml because slow cookers lose little liquid.
Is this like chile verde?
It is similar in spirit, a chicken stew in green sauce, but chile verde is usually made with pork and has a more roasted chilli flavour.
What can I serve it with instead of rice?
Warm corn tortillas, frijoles de la olla or a simple salad. The chicken and potatoes already make it a full meal.
Is it gluten free and dairy free?
Yes, provided the stock cube is gluten free. There is no dairy in the dish.
More made with green enchilada sauce
Flautas de Res con Salsa Verde (Crispy Beef Flautas)
EFNFChimichangas de Pollo al Horno (Baked Chicken Chimichangas)
EFNFChuletas de Cerdo en Salsa Verde con Frijoles (Pork Chops in Green Sauce)
GFDFEFAlbondigas en Salsa Verde (Meatballs in Green Sauce)
DFNFDouble 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.