Chicken in a Tomatillo, Chipotle and Brown Sugar Sauce

Name: Chicken in a Tomatillo, Chipotle and Brown Sugar Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 3 chicken leg quarters (or 3 drumsticks and 3 thighs, rinsed and patted dry); 1/2 tsp kosher or sea salt (more or less to taste); 1/4 tsp black pepper (freshly ground); 1/4 cup safflower or corn oil; 2 cups white onion (sliced); 2 garlic cloves (chopped); 2 lbs tomatillos (husks removed and rinsed, quartered); 4 tbsp piloncillo (shredded, or substitute for brown sugar); 1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce (plus more sauce if desired); 2 cups chicken broth (or water)

Pollo con Tomate Verde, Chipotle y Piloncillo

Recipe Yield

4 to 6 servings

Cooking time

1 hour

Rate this recipe

4.63 from 8 votes

Ingredients

3 chicken leg quarters or 3 drumsticks and 3 thighs, rinsed and patted dry
1/2 tsp kosher or sea salt more or less to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
1/4 cup safflower or corn oil
2 cups white onion sliced
2 garlic cloves chopped
2 lbs tomatillos husks removed and rinsed, quartered
4 tbsp piloncillo shredded, or substitute for brown sugar
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce plus more sauce if desired
2 cups chicken broth or water

To Prepare

Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
In a thick and tall heavy skillet or casserole dish, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces. Brown on one side, for about 4 to 5 minutes and then flip and brown on the other side, for another 3 to 4 minutes. Don’t try to flip too soon or the skin will stick to the skillet. Remove the chicken pieces and place in a bowl. You may remove the skin if you wish, I don’t.
Add the onion to the skillet and cook, stirring for about 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, for about 20 seconds. Make room in the pan and add the tomatillos. Let it cook all together, for about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the piloncillo, the chipotles and their sauce and stir well. Once it comes to a simmer incorporate the chicken pieces along with the chicken broth and cook for about 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should be chunky and thick, and the chicken fully cooked.

Comments

71comments inChicken in a Tomatillo, Chipotle and Brown Sugar Sauce

Brendan

Jan 16

Just goes to show…. Good ingredients equals a delicious dish! The flavors blended so well together. Yet another Pati Jinich dish that delights the tastebuds, tummy and brings a smile to my face.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jan 16
  
  Aw, this is so sweet of you, thanks!
  
Peter

Sep 26

Hello from Australia, Pati

We don’t get a lot of good Mexican ingredients over here, but my supermarket just got canned tomatillos for the first time. I bought them to try out, but had no idea what to do with them.

I poked around the internet until I found this recipe, and I”m glad I picked it. It is delicious and I am so happy to have something new in my culinary vocabulary.

Thank you.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Oct 11
  
  Yay Peter, so happy you were lucky to find tomatillos, one of my favorite ingredients ever. Greetings to Australia!
  
Anonymous

Jul 09

Looks delicious I am going to try

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jul 28
  
  Hope you’ll enjoy it!
  
Catherine Dogear

May 16

I halved this recipe to see if I would like it–now I wish I had tripled it. Back to the store for more tomatillos! But I have to ask: How to handle piloncillo? I tried every side of my box grater but achieved nothing but scratching a white patina on the surface. Finally went at it with a hammer, sending glass-like shards all over the kitchen, some of which will never be seen again. I can’t think of anything else short of putting it in a zip lock bag and driving the car over it, but I worry for my car! Finally opened a bag of brown sugar. I like the idea of piloncillo so I’ve tried it in the form of a cone and a block. Both forms seem to be indestructible.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  May 19
  
  Catherine, hahaha, you made me laugh really hard!!! You know what, they sell piloncillo (also called panela) already granulated 😉
  
2. Patty M.
  
  Sep 25
  
  Catherine, I was laughing so hard my husband said “What In THE WORLD??”!! Indestructible!! Still rolling around laughing!! Made my day and I thank you for that!
  
Christine Mayer

Mar 12

I LOVE THIS RECIPE!!! It was so good. There wasnt a lot of talking but a lot of Mmmmmming. This is a treasure recipe for sure. Thank you!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Mar 15
  
  So very happy to hear you guys enjoyed this recipe Christine, yay!
  
Lilli and Lee

Mar 05

Wow. We just licked the out bowls. Did not expect such complexity. Totally delish. Thanks.

L&L, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, soon to be Mazatlan, Sinaloa

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Mar 06
  
  Thanks so much Lilli and Lee, enjoy Mazatlan!
  
Amy McCullagh

Jan 30

This was scrumptious and satisfying. Love it– your recipes never disappoint!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Feb 07
  
  Thanks so much Amy, love that you enjoyed this recipe 😉
  
Fellow Marylander mark

Dec 11

Patti,
I just made this for my 91 year old mom who is home bound and has been I’ll. She ate it like a 16 year year old boy after soccer practice. Thank you for nourishing her soul as well as her body. Highest regards

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Dec 27
  
  Aw, love that she liked it! Abrazos grandes to her 🙂
  
Anonymous

Sep 18

Pati. Love this recipe. My wife requests this all the time. Such a great meal. I enjoy cooking it for other couples for our dinner parties. Fan favorite! Appreciate you.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Sep 18
  
  Thanks so much! Hugs to you and your wife 😉
  
Cees & Natalja

Jul 03

I wish I could picture to these comments. My partner and I cooked this recipe on a campfire out in one of the Canadian national parks. We love the balance in flavour between the sweet pilloncillo, the tart tomatillos, the slightly spicy chipotle and adobe sauce, and, being Dutch, we cooked some potatoes with it. All with that smoky campfire goodness. Delicious and super easy. We love it. Thanks for the recipe!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jul 04
  
  Oh wow!!! I can only imagine cooking this recipe in a campfire, thanks, sounds like a lot of fun!
  
Mauricio A. W.

Apr 25

Hola Pati!
Thank you for this recipe. It was a welcome change in flavors for dinner! The chicken was moist and had a tangy taste. Leftovers were even better than day of. Saved the sauce in freezer for next time. It was so different than anything I had made this entire pandemic. We absolutely loved it! Thank you for this and all recipes that I can’t wait to try. Also thank you for vegetarian options as well.
Love your show. It’s very educational and love how you go to places where dishes are from.
Best of luck always!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Apr 25
  
  Thanks so much Mauricio for the kind words! So glad you enjoyed this recipe so much! Stay tuned because a new season from Jalisco, Mexico will premiere early this fall, yay!!
  
Joanne Gonzalez

Oct 23

Hi Pati, Thank you for your kind words. I don’t have a recipe for the wonderful stuffing my late husband made. I was always baking pies when he made it. I remember he browned onions in butter, and added torn up corn tortillas, chopped jalapeños, crushed Fritos, and beer. I make it and it’s good, but never as good as his. He would have loved your show, affectionately, Joanne Gonzalez

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Oct 27
  
  Gracias Joanne 🙂
  
Dee

Sep 02

You inspired me. Kinda made this recipe tonight since I didn’t have all the spices recommended. Made due with what I had. Two ingredients I had were tomatillos & boneless chicken thighs. Didn’t take as long to cook with boneless. Waited to long before realizing I had no sides for it. So, chopped up green cabbage & tossed on top & steamed it in the same pot & stirred it all together. Really Good!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Sep 06
  
  Yummy Dee, you guys always have great ideas!
  
Jesus Mendoza

May 25

Hola Pati!

Recently my wife and I bought your two books. I was coming into town and asked my wife to choose one recipe and we would do that dish for the weekend. She chose this one. It was so delicious. We had arroz rojo and frijoles fritos as our sides. My wife made your chocoflan for dessert. It was so deeelicious! Our goal is to try and make every dish in your two books. And waiting for number three. Saludos!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  May 28
  
  Thanks Jesus! So glad to read you already enjoyed this recipe and the chocoflan and that you are planing to try every recipe, wow!!!! You better hurry because book number 3 is scheduled to be released this Fall 😉
  
Venita

May 17

I came across your recipe several ago on an episode of “Pati’s Mexican Table” and it has become a fan favorite among my friends and family. One of my close friends joked about changing her sexual orientation and marrying me after eating the dish for the first time 🙂

1. Pati Jinich
  
  May 20
  
  🙂 🙂 🙂 She must have really liked it Venita, yay!
  
Anonymous

May 15

Hi Pati! I love your recipies so much! I have done this one before and it is easy and delicious… But im making ot again for my daughters and I do not have a clue for side dishes? Help

1. Pati Jinich
  
  May 16
  
  Hi there! Some white rice like this one http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/coconut-rice/ would be a great side for his chicken. Also, refried beans http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/oaxaca-style-refried-beans/. Enjoy!
  
Nana

Dec 05

Sounds good, I wonder if I’ll taste like our no name recipe.

1 jar salsa
Brown sugar
Mustard
Chicken tenders
Rice
Casserole dish

In a bowl dump whole jar of salsa
Add brown sugar and mustard to your liking ( taste it and add more if need be)
I love the hottest salsa the brown sugar helps with the strong bit, squeeze mustard 2 times around the bowl.

Cut chicken into cubes
Add to casserole dish pour salsa mixture over chicken bake 350 for 40-1 hour.

Cook rice

Bowl add rice, scoop chicken and pour sauce over it all. Enjoy YUM

The smell is so wonderful why cooking.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Dec 05
  
  Give a taste test, Nana, and let me know what you think!
  
jane

Jan 13

what is piloncillo?

1. Pati
  
  Jan 14
  
  Oh it’s the rawest form of sugar cane…here’s some more information, Jane: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/piloncillo/
  
Marils

Jan 10

Is this to be served as is, or with a starch, such as rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles.

1. Pati
  
  Jan 10
  
  All of those would work…or mix it up and do pasta and rice: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/white-rice-with-toasted-angel-hair-pasta/ Or any of your favorite side dishes like salad or green beans.
  
Shoshanna

Dec 24

Hi,
Think I can make this with boneless, skinless chicken breast? Thanks!

1. Pati
  
  Dec 27
  
  Go for it, Shoshanna!
  
Jasmine

Dec 12

I don’t have chipotles so inn going to try this w/o them. thoughts? Do you think it’ll still be good?

1. Pati
  
  Dec 19
  
  Hmmm chipotles do give this dish a lot of flavor…if you have chicken and tomatillos here are a few other recipes you might want to give a try: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/sanborns-swiss-chicken-enchiladas/ http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/enchiladas_in_a_green_tomatillo_sauce/
  
Ed Naimon

Sep 11

Hola, Pati.

What do you think about mincing the chipotle rather than keeping it whole? Thank you!

1. Pati
  
  Sep 11
  
  Go for it, Ed!
  
Linda Isenson

Aug 08

A friend of mine made this several years ago for a casual dinner we shared. We flipped over how simple and delicious it was. Since then, we have both made it over and over. I usually make it a day or so ahead, since the flavors are even more spectacular after it sits a bit. It gets raves from everyone every time!
I made it again the other night and thought, I really ought to thank you for this wonderful addition to our table. I wasn’t sure where my friend got the recipe but she sent me the link to your site. I’m not a television watcher so I had not seen your show. So, thank you! And now, I’m going to explore more of your recipes.

1. Pati
  
  Aug 08
  
  Oh I’m so happy to hear this, Linda! Thank you so much…and have fun cooking many more recipes 🙂
  
2. Ben M
  
  Feb 17
  
  I took your advice and made it the day before. Letting it sit overnight really helped bring the flavors out. And thank you for this recipe Pati! I really enjoy the fusion of sweet, spicy, and tart. This is one to make again and again.
  
  1. Pati
    
    Feb 18
    
    Glad it’s a repeat recipe, Ben 🙂
    
Terri Black

Aug 07

My family adores this dish! Even my mashed potatoes and roast beef hubby says this is the best chicken recipe. I served it with the grilled corn and tomato salad. So delicious! Even the leftovers are fantastic! Thank you Pati!

1. Pati
  
  Aug 07
  
  Oh I love leftovers! And I’m so glad the whole family enjoyed the dish, Terri.
  
Belinda Gordillo

Aug 06

This is what’s for dinner at our home tonight. Thank you for sharing your recipes Pati , every recipe I make off your page is a success !

Muchas gracias Pati Jinich por compartir tus recetas con nosotros, cada receta tuya que hago es un exito!
Excelente provechito 😊

Saludos desde Tijuana México

1. Pati
  
  Aug 07
  
  Have a great dinner tonight, Belinda…and many more!
  
jzzbassman72

Aug 05

This was amazing! I used the whole can of chipotle in adobo because I love the heat and the flavor and the balance between that and the sweetness of the brown sugar and tomatillo made for a super dish. Can’t wait until the next time we have this.

1. Pati
  
  Aug 07
  
  Awesome!
  
Lupita

Aug 03

I’m making this for dinner tonight. I will let you know how it turns out.

1. Pati
  
  Aug 03
  
  Hope you enjoy it, Lupita!
  
Martha

Aug 03

I made this recipe last night l. So simple but soooo delicious! My husband and I loved it.

1. Pati
  
  Aug 03
  
  Super, Martha!
  
Karen

Jul 19

I made this recipe last night and it was delicious. However, there was much more liquid in the end so we ate it as a soup rather than a stew. Should have I kept cooking it to evaporate the broth? I didn’t want to overlook the chicken though. I used coconut sugar rather than piloncillo.

1. Pati
  
  Jul 20
  
  Next time you make it, Karen, use half the chicken broth and cook it a bit longer!
  
Roy

Dec 30

Can this be made in a crock pot?

1. Pati
  
  Jan 02
  
  Oh yes…give it a try!
  
Mar

Apr 29

What type of sides would you recommend with this dish?

1. Pati
  
  May 05
  
  Rice would be great! Or a salad…tons of recipes on my site.
  
Sharee Clifton ??

Mar 22

Hi Pati,
I live in Australia and some times struggle to find the ingredients you use in your cooking can you help me out and tell me what I can use for a substitute we don’t have adobo sauce and tomatillo yeah we are missing out down here in Australia ?? love ❤️ your food I will also email

1. Pati
  
  Mar 23
  
  Hi Sharee, those two ingredients are rather hard to substitute…but there are lots of other great chicken recipes like http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/chicken-a-la-trash/
  
Maile

Mar 11

Delicious! Easy to make too. Thanks for sharing 🙂

1. Pati
  
  Mar 13
  
  Thank YOU Maile!
  
Steve Thomas

Mar 05

Excellent!

1. Pati
  
  Mar 06
  
  Yay!!!

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