High Protein Chicken Crockpot Pozole
You’ll Love This High Protein Crockpot Pozole for Meal Prep
While I could never choose a favorite Mexican dish (we’ve simply been spoiled with way too many incredible food experiences at our annual KLN retreats!), my love of all things soups and stews places traditional pozole (a hominy and meat-based stew from central Mexico with origins to the Aztec era) near the top of my list. This version gets extra protein from chicken breast and white beans while still keeping the cozy, stew-like feel of traditional pozole.
This Crockpot variation can’t compare to one that’s been simmering on an abuela’s stovetop all day, but it can scratch an itch and makes for a great meal-prep option! This recipe makes a big batch, reheats well, and gives you a protein and fiber containing meal that’s easy to keep on hand for busy weeks.
This recipe was inspired by one a client shared with me that she uses for food prep often.
PREP TIME: 15 minutes || COOK TIME: 5-9 hours (depending on chosen Crockpot setting) || Makes 12 servings
what you’ll need
4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp avocado oil, light olive oil, or other neutral cooking oil of choice
1 medium (~250g) white or yellow onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 dried bay leaves
2 tsp ground cumin
2-32oz cans white hominy, drained and rinsed
3-16oz jars salsa verde
2-15.5oz cans of white beans (either Great Northern or Cannellini), drained and rinsed
Salt and pepper
Optional: fresh jalapeño or other non-smoky hot pepper. This can be added to your crockpot at any point in the cooking process to increase your level of spice.
what to do
Sear the chicken. Heat your cooking oil of choice in a large skillet on medium high. Season the meat generously with salt and pepper and sear on all sides until golden brown, roughly 2-3 minutes per side.
Sauté the onion and garlic. After removing the chicken from the skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the onion, garlic, and cumin, alongside a bit more oil if needed. Sauté until soft, about 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly to avoid burning.
Add chicken, sautéed aromatics, chicken broth, and bay leaves to the crockpot. Cover and set to high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
Shred the chicken. Once the chicken is tender, remove each breast from the crockpot and shred (forks work well, but if you have either a hand or standing mixer, the process goes by much more quickly!) Set meat and broth aside separately.
Blend the pozole base. Add all broth, 1 can of drained and rinsed hominy, and 1 jar of salsa verde to blender and blend completely, until thickened. Note: you will likely have to do this in several batches. Divide hominy and salsa more or less evenly, but no need to be precise with divvying in this process.
Combine all components. Add the blended base back into the crockpot and combine with the shredded chicken, rinsed and drained cans of beans, and remaining hominy (1 can) and salsa verde (2 jars). Simmer on low heat for another 30-45 minutes to develop flavors and heat thoroughly.
How to Serve Pozole
Pozole is all about customizing toppings: cilantro, sliced radishes and jalapeños, shredded cabbage, avocado, and fresh lime juice are all common, traditional fixings. Scoop with tortillas or tortilla chips.
Meal Prep + Freezing Tips
Since this recipe makes a BIG batch, freeze some for an easy meal down the line!
MACROS PER 500G SERVING: 39P/29C/5F (330 cal, 5g fiber)
You can find the recipe in the MyFitnessPal database by searching “KLN Recipe Crockpot Verde Chicken Pozole.”
Looking for more recipes?
Explore our library of macro-friendly recipes or grab our free Ultimate Guide to Batch Prep for simple and streamlined macro-friendly meal prep ideas and recipes!
Jilda Lamb
Business owner, dog mom, and certified menopause coach, helping overwhelmed professionals and busy athletes simplify their nutrition and feel their best, both physically and mentally.
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This high protein chicken crockpot pozole is easy, flavorful, and made for busy weeks. With chicken breast, hominy, white beans, and salsa verde, it delivers a high-protein and high-fiber meal that reheats well, freezes easily, and gives you a good option to keep on hand when you want something simple but filling.