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
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Chicken with Nopales (Pollo con Nopales), not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 53 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 21 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 100 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 45
- Heart Health
- 77
- Metabolic
- 31
- Digestive
- 40
- Inflammatory
- 60
- Performance
- 55
- General Wellness
- 1
Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil.
- 2
Add the chicken breasts and cook until the centers are no longer pink and the juices run clear, about 10 minutes.
- 3
An instant-read thermometer inserted into the centers should register at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
- 4
Drain the pot, set the chicken aside to cool, then shred it into small strands and set aside.
- 5
Refill the same pot with water and bring it to a boil.
- 6
Add the nopales, tomatillos, and jalapeño peppers; cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
- 7
Drain, then transfer the tomatillos and jalapeños to a blender.
- 8
Set the nopales aside to cool.
- 9
Blend the tomatillos and jalapeño peppers until smooth, then pour the mixture into the same pot.
- 10
Add the shredded chicken and place the pot over medium heat.
- 11
Dice the nopales and stir them into the pot.
- 12
Simmer until everything is fully reheated, about 5 minutes.
- Calories 283.45 kcal Moderate 14%
- Protein 55.26 g Good Source 111%
- Carbohydrate 8.1 g 3%
- Total Fat 3.63 g Low Source 5%
- Saturated Fat 0.11 g Low Source 1%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 140.75 mg High 47%
- Sodium 1348.39 mg High 59%
- Dietary Fiber 3.37 g Moderate 12%
- Total Sugars 4.73 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 212.47 mg Moderate 16%
- Iron 2.58 mg Moderate 14%
- Potassium 506.28 mg Moderate 11%
- Vitamin A 14.41 mcg Low Source 2%
- Vitamin C 30.97 mg Good Source 34%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
No known allergens listed for this recipe. Always double-check ingredients for your needs.
About This Recipe
Chicken with Nopales (Pollo con Nopales) is made with 4 ingredients and serves 2. It takes about 30 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Chicken Breast, Jalapeño Pepper, Nopales, and Tomatillo. Each serving provides about 283.45 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Chicken with Nopales (Pollo con Nopales) made of?
- The main ingredients are Chicken Breast, Jalapeño Pepper, Nopales, Tomatillo. The full list of 4 is above.
- How long does it take to make Chicken with Nopales (Pollo con Nopales)?
- About 30 mins in total: 10 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 283.45 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Chicken with Nopales (Pollo con Nopales) easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 4 ingredients and 12 steps.
- Is Chicken with Nopales (Pollo con Nopales) healthy?
- Chicken with Nopales (Pollo con Nopales) has an easyChef Pro health score of 56/100. Per serving, it provides 283.45 calories and 55.26 g of protein, or 111% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 1348.39 mg (59% of the Daily Value). Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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