Knock-Your-Socks-Off Chipotle Chicken Pozole
from The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook

During the holidays as a kid, I could always count on pozole being on the menu and I savored its warm, flavorful red chile broth and chewy hominy. Once I began cooking on my own, I couldn’t always find the same dried chiles that my mom used in her broth, so I created my own shortcut version. Prepare for this one to go fast because IT IS GOOD. It uses widely available canned chipotle chiles to give a quick red chile flavor and a nutritious white bean base that miraculously adds creaminess with no actual cream required. The result may not be traditional, but it is incredibly flavorful and packed with protein. Under no circumstances should you skip the toppings, which really help to elevate every single bite! Pile on tortilla chips, cabbage, avocado, and Greek yogurt, then grab a spoon and get ready to knock your socks off!

Serves 6

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cook Time: 40 Minutes

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free (If Modified)

VEGGIES AND SPICES

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

½ teaspoon dried oregano

SOUP

3½ cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 (15-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 (25-ounce) can hominy, drained and rinsed

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

CREAMY WHITE BEAN BASE

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

2 to 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, plus 1 to 2 tablespoons of the sauce, to taste

½ cup low-sodium chicken broth

MIX-INS

¾ cup frozen corn

Juice of 1 lime

½ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

SERVING

Tortilla strips or chips

Plain whole-milk Greek yogurt

Shredded green cabbage

Sliced avocado

Thinly sliced fresh jalapeños

Chopped fresh cilantro

Lime wedges

1. Cook the veggies and spices: In a large pot, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and bell pepper. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften, 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, coriander, and dried oregano, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

2. Cook the soup: To the pot with the veggies, add the broth, tomatoes, chicken thighs, hominy, and salt. Raise the heat to high and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and transfer to a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken, then return it to the pot.

3. Blend the bean base: In a blender or food processor, add the cannellini beans, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and broth, and blend until mostly smooth, 1 minute. Pour the bean mixture into the pot with the chicken and veggies, then stir in the corn, lime juice, and cilantro. Simmer the soup to allow the flavors to combine, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary.

4. Serve: Transfer the soup to bowls. Garnish with tortilla chips, Greek yogurt, cabbage, cilantro, and lime wedges for squeezing and serve immediately.

5. To store: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Make it your way

TO MAKE DAIRY-FREE: Leave out the Greek yogurt.

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The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook

Monique Volz

The recipe queen, social media star, and beloved blogger behind AmbitiousKitchen presents over 125 nutrient-dense, flavor-packed recipes for every meal of the day.

“Monique effortlessly combines creativity with approachability, ensuring each dish is a success. This book is an instant classic for me!”—Alex Snodgrass, New York Times bestselling author and creator of The Defined Dish

Millions of readers know Monique Volz’s website, Ambitious Kitchen, as a go-to resource for inventive, flavorful recipes that are full of nutrition, comfort, and personality. Now, in her debut cookbook, Monique wants others to find their own Ambitious Kitchen and discover their own version of health, bold flavors, and above all, the unique happiness that food can bring to your life. Whether you’re looking for a show-stopping dish to bring to a gathering, a new home-cooked tradition, or a nourishing meal everyone will love, The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook has the answers.

Monique joyfully showcases a balanced approach to health, with comforting, vibrant dishes that are amped up with extra vegetables, protein, and fiber. Wake up and sip on a Glowing Skin Vitamin A Smoothie or bake The Best Cinnamon Rolls You’ll Ever Eat for someone you love. Enjoy nutritious lunches such as Buffalo Chicken Chop Chop Salad or Roasty Toasty Tomato Soup with Herbed Grilled Cheese Naan. Family dinner might look like It’s a Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken, Sweet Potato & Bacon Situation or Pepperoni Pizza Baked Orzo with Basil and Quick Hot Honey on a busy night, or Everyone’s Favorite Baked Chicken Tacos or Marry Me Ropa Vieja for a crowd. And let’s not forget show-stopping desserts like Tahini Pumpkin Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting and outrageously good Double Strawberry Oatmeal Cream Pies (Little Debras).

Most recipes include “Make It Your Way” and “Make It Nutrient Dense” tips to customize food to your tastes. And as an added bonus, most can be made gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan, allowing readers to tailor recipes to their own version of health.

As you turn the pages, you’ll find yourself a guest at Monique’s table, enjoying playful, comforting recipes that will impress everyone (including yourself!).

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