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Chicken with Nopales (Pollo con Nopales)

Chicken with Nopales (Pollo con Nopales) balances bright tomatillo tang with gentle jalapeño heat, coating tender shredded chicken and cactus in a smooth, green sauce. The cactus adds a pleasantly crisp-tender bite that makes each forkful lively. Serve for a weeknight dinner or a casual weekend meal with warm tortillas and a squeeze of lime.

  • Prep10 mins
  • Cook20 mins
  • Serves2
  • DifficultyEasy
Chicken with Nopales (Pollo con Nopales)
  1. 1

    Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil.

  2. 2

    Add the chicken breasts and cook until the centers are no longer pink and the juices run clear, about 10 minutes.

  3. 3

    An instant-read thermometer inserted into the centers should register at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

  4. 4

    Drain the pot, set the chicken aside to cool, then shred it into small strands and set aside.

  5. 5

    Refill the same pot with water and bring it to a boil.

  6. 6

    Add the nopales, tomatillos, and jalapeño peppers; cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

  7. 7

    Drain, then transfer the tomatillos and jalapeños to a blender.

  8. 8

    Set the nopales aside to cool.

  9. 9

    Blend the tomatillos and jalapeño peppers until smooth, then pour the mixture into the same pot.

  10. 10

    Add the shredded chicken and place the pot over medium heat.

  11. 11

    Dice the nopales and stir them into the pot.

  12. 12

    Simmer until everything is fully reheated, about 5 minutes.