Pollo Ranchero (Chicken in Ranchera Sauce)
Tender chicken thighs simmered in a smoky tomato and jalapeño sauce, served over fresh cilantro lime rice.
Made with Salsa ranchera and Cilantro lime rice. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.16 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 thighs with 1 tsp salt. Heat the oil in a wide, lidded pan over a medium high heat. Brown the thighs for 4 minutes each side and lift them out.
8 min - 2
In the same pan, cook the onion and pepper for 5 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and oregano and cook for 30 seconds.
5 min - 3
Pour in your ready made salsa ranchera (see the base recipe) and the water. Scrape up the browned bits and bring to a simmer.
- 4
Return the chicken to the pan, cover, and cook gently for 25 minutes, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
25 min - 5
Warm your ready made arroz verde (see the base recipe) in a covered pan with a splash of water or in the microwave until steaming hot all the way through.
- 6
Taste the sauce and add salt if needed. Serve the chicken and sauce over the rice.
Tips
- Thighs stay juicy in the sauce. If you use breast, cut it into chunky pieces and cook for just 15 minutes.
- Check the thickest piece of chicken has no pink and the juices run clear before serving.
- Add a sliced jalapeño with the onion for more heat.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours. Keep in the fridge up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use chicken breast?
Yes. Cut it into large chunks and simmer for about 15 minutes so it stays moist.
Is this spicy?
It is medium. The heat comes from the jalapeños in the ranchera sauce, which you can control when you make the base.
Can I cook it in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown the chicken, then cook everything on low for 5 to 6 hours.
More made with salsa ranchera
Albondigón Relleno de Huevo con Salsa Ranchera (Mexican Meatloaf Stuffed with Egg)
DFNFHPEjotes con Salsa Ranchera (Mexican Green Beans)
GFDFEFFrijoles Rancheros con Tocino (Ranch Style Beans with Bacon)
DFEFNFEnchiladas Rancheras de Queso (Cheese Enchiladas with Ranchera Sauce)
GFEFNFDouble 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.