Pollo Pulqueros (Chicken, Tomatillo, and Jalapeno Stew)

Carianne's Note:

From Rick Bayless in the Feb-March 2005 Eating Well. I think that this would work well in a crockpot, too!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 5 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 medium onion, cut into 1/4 inch rounds
• 4 medium red potatoes, cut into 1/4 inch rounds
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 6)
• 1 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves (at least!)
• 1 1/4 lbs tomatillos, with husks removed,washed,and cut into 1/4 inch rounds (12 - 16)
• 1/4 cup sliced pickled jalapeno pepper (and 2 Tablespoons of liquid)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Arrange onion slices (overlapping) in bottom of 5- 6 quart Dutch oven.
3. Arrange potatoes on top of onions, sprinkle with salt.
4. Arrange chicken on top of potatoes, then cilantro, then tomatillos.
5. Top with jalapenos and drizzle with pickling liquid.
6. Cover and bake for 45 minutes.
7. Remove lid and bake for 15- 20 minutes additional.
8. Serve hot and garnish with more cilantro.

Reviews

[Chef #726534]

The recipe doesn't call for seasoning the chicken before layering, so it came out really bland. The jalapenos, cilantro and tomatillos were flavorful but without seasoning, seemed one dimensional. We really liked the potato, probably because the recipe does call for direct seasoning of them, but it wasn't enough to save this dish. A disappointing use of 1-1/2 lbs. of chicken, not to mention the fresh garden-grown tomatillos.

[Maito]

I took your suggestion and made this in the crock pot. I substituted chicken breasts and a fresh jalapeno plus 2 tablespoons of lime juice. I also added another 2 tablespoons of water over the potatoes to make sure there was sufficient moisture. The tomatillos and lime give such a great flavor to this dish, especially to the potatoes!

[HeyAng]

This is AWESOME! I was skeptical because of the mix of ingrediants, but went ahead b/c of the other reviews. I used mild jalapenos, and they were just right. Way to go Rick Bayless...easy, healthy and AWESOME!!