Pollo Entomatado (Mexican Chicken in Tomato Chilli Sauce)
Tender chicken in a smoky tomato and guajillo sauce, scooped up with warm corn tortillas.
Made with Corn tortillas from masa harina and Basic tomato sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time55 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.43 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
Toast the guajillos in a dry pan for 30 seconds each side until fragrant, then soak in 250 ml hot water for 15 minutes.
15 min - 2
Blend the soaked chillies with their water, the onion, garlic, cumin, oregano and your ready made basic tomato sauce (see the base recipe) until smooth.
- 3
Heat the oil in a casserole and brown the chicken for 3 minutes each side. Pour in the sauce through a sieve, pressing it through.
6 min - 4
Season with salt, cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes, turning the chicken once, until tender with no pink at the bone. Add a splash of water if it thickens too much.
30 min - 5
Warm your ready made corn tortillas (see the base recipe) in a dry pan for 30 seconds each side.
- 6
Serve the chicken and sauce with the warm tortillas, avocado and coriander.
Tips
- Toast chillies only until fragrant. If they scorch they turn bitter.
- Straining the sauce gives a silky finish. Skip it if you like a rustic sauce.
- Add a dried chipotle for a smokier, hotter sauce.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 90 minutes and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Where do I find guajillo chillies?
Larger supermarkets stock them in the world foods aisle, and Mexican food shops and online sellers have them. Dried ancho chillies work as a milder swap.
Is it very hot?
Mild to medium. Guajillos are fruity rather than fierce. Remove all seeds for mild or add a chilli de arbol for heat.
Can I use shop bought tortillas?
Yes. Look for corn tortillas labelled gluten free if you are coeliac, as some are made on shared lines.
More made with corn tortillas from masa harina
Quesadillas de Carnitas con Rajas (Pork and Roasted Poblano Quesadillas)
GFEFNFTacos de Barbacoa con Salsa Verde (Beef Barbacoa Tacos)
GFDFEFTacos de Coliflor Rostizada con Cebolla Morada Encurtida (Roasted Cauliflower Tacos)
EFNFVNopales con Frijoles (Cactus and Pot Bean Stew)
DFEFNFDouble 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.