Tomatillo Chicken Stew

4.63 from 8 votes

May 07, 2025

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Chicken stew is one of my favorite things to make on the fly for my family – its simple, delicious, and easy – and when I don’t have hominy for Posole, I like to make this Tomatillo Chicken Stew instead. If you love smoky cumin and paprika with lots of vegetables and a tangy tomatillo kick, you’re going to love this easy chicken dinner!

If you love hearty, tangy posole verde – you’ll love this chicken stew with beans – it has posole flavor, without hominy – tons of green chiles and zesty herbs and spices. This stew recipe is easy to follow and can be made in under an hour – plus it can be customized to your preferences.

chicken stew with diced chicken breasts, tomatillos, onions, pinto beans, diced tomatoes, and sliced jalapeños on top

Don’t want all the extras in a recipe post? We provide a skip to recipe button in the top left corner, as well as a clickable table of contents, just below, to help make this page easier to navigate.

At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

How to Make Tomatillo Chicken Stew
- Tomatillo Chicken Stew Ingredients
- Chicken Tomatillo Stew Method
Tips and Tricks to Perfect Chicken Tomatillo Stew
- FAQs
What to Serve With Chicken Tomatillo Stew

How to Make Tomatillo Chicken Stew

This stew came together one night when I started making Posole Verde and realized I didn’t have any hominy.

Tomatillo Chicken Stew Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

Chicken thighs: The chicken thighs are the main protein source in the stew, adding a savory flavor and meaty texture.
Chicken stock: The chicken stock serves as the base for the stew, adding a rich and savory flavor.
Pinto beans: The pinto beans add a creamy and earthy flavor to the stew, as well as providing a source of protein and fiber.
Tomatillos: The tomatillos are a key ingredient in the stew, providing a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
Green chiles: The green chiles add a mild and slightly spicy flavor to the stew.
Ro-tel green chile and diced tomatoes: This canned ingredient adds a burst of tomato flavor to the stew, as well as some extra spice from the green chiles.
Yellow onion: The yellow onion provides a savory flavor and helps to build the base of the stew.
Salt and pepper: These seasonings help to enhance the overall flavor of the stew.
Sliced jalapeños: The sliced jalapenos add some heat and spice to the stew.
Cayenne pepper: The cayenne pepper adds some extra heat and spice to the stew.
Cumin: The cumin adds an earthy and slightly smoky flavor to the stew.
Garlic powder: The garlic powder provides a savory and slightly sweet flavor to the stew.

Chicken Tomatillo Stew Method

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following process:

onion, green chiles, tomatillos, pinto beans, chicken breast, ro-tel, and seasonings on a table

Prep

Dice onion, tomatillos, and chicken.

browned chicken breast in a dutch oven with chopped onions and tomatillos on top

Brown Meat & Vegetables

In a large dutch oven, heat olive oil until shimmery, then add chicken. Brown 3-4 minutes, occasionally stirring, to prevent burning or sticking. When chicken has browned lightly on all sides, stir in onions and tomatillos and brown another 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

browned chicken, onion, and tomatillos in a dutch oven

Season

Add salt, pepper, cayenne, cumin, and oregano. Mix well.

stock, diced tomatoes, pinto beans, herbs in a ducth oven with browned tomatillos, onions, and chicken breasts

Add Stock & Simmer

Slowly stir in stock, ro-tel, and drained pinto beans. Stir well and bring to a rapid boil.

Reduce heat to low, and let reduce slightly, about 8 minutes. Taste soup to see if more salt, pepper, or cayenne are needed.

Chicken and bean stew in a white bowl with a spoon, topped with green chile and tomatillo.

Serve & Enjoy!

Serve in bowls with fresh sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, and optional – sour cream or shredded cheese.

Tips and Tricks to Perfect Chicken Tomatillo Stew

Use chicken breasts, or boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Chicken breasts or skinless thighs are recommended for this recipe. Be sure to remove the skin and bones before cooking if using chicken thighs.

Remove the husks from the tomatillos: Before using the tomatillos, be sure to remove the papery husks and rinse them under water to remove any stickiness.

Sauté the onion and garlic first: Sautéing the onion and garlic in olive oil first will bring out their flavors and create a delicious base for the stew.

Use a mix of spices: A blend of cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper adds depth of flavor to the stew. Be sure to adjust the amount of spices to your liking.

Add the beans at the right time: Pinto beans can become mushy if overcooked, so it’s important to add them towards the end of the cooking process.

Adjust the thickness of the stew: If the stew is too thick, you can add more chicken stock or water to thin it out. If it’s too thin, you can simmer it longer to thicken it.

Serve with toppings: The stew can be customized with a variety of toppings, such as sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, avocado, or sour cream, to add some extra flavor and texture.

A delicious bowl of Tomatillo Chicken Stew with Pinto Beans on a wooden table.

FAQs

Can I make this stew in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can make this stew in a slow cooker. Simply add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.

Can I use canned tomatillos?

Yes, you can use canned tomatillos, but the flavor and texture may be slightly different than using fresh tomatillos.

Can I use a different type of bean?

Yes, you can use a different type of bean, such as black beans or kidney beans, but keep in mind that it may affect the overall flavor of the stew.

Can I freeze this stew?

Yes, this stew can be frozen for up to three months. Be sure to store it in an airtight container and allow it to cool completely before freezing.

Can I adjust the level of spiciness?

Yes, you can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less jalapenos, cayenne pepper, or other spicy ingredients.

What to Serve With Chicken Tomatillo Stew

Rice: A simple side of Spanish Rice, Chipotle Knockoff Cilantro Lime Rice, or Cauliflower Rice is perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce and adding some texture to the meal.

Cornbread: A slice of cornbread is a classic southern accompaniment to stews and adds some sweetness and texture to the meal.