Smoked Chicken Chile Verde

This Smoked Chicken Chile Verde is a bold, smoky, and flavorful dish made with juicy smoked chicken simmered in a rich, tangy tomatillo and green chile sauce. The slow-smoked chicken adds an incredible depth of flavor, making this dish perfect for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or served over rice. Whether you’re using a Traeger, pellet grill, or offset smoker, this dish is a must-try for any BBQ lover!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Deep Smoky Flavor – Slow-smoking the chicken adds a rich, wood-fired taste.
• Authentic Chile Verde Sauce – Made with roasted tomatillos, green chiles, and fresh herbs.
• Versatile – Serve in tacos, burritos, or as a stew.
• Great for Meal Prep – Tastes even better the next day!
• Easy to Customize – Adjust spice levels to your preference.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Smoked Chicken:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp cumin

For the Chile Verde Sauce:

• 1 lb tomatillos (husks removed)
• 2-3 poblano peppers
• 2-3 jalapeños (adjust for spice level)
• 1 small white onion (quartered)
• 4 cloves garlic
• ½ cup fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp oregano
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Juice of 1 lime

Directions

this recipe

1. Preheat the Smoker

• Set your smoker to 225°F using hickory, oak, or mesquite wood for a rich smoky flavor.

2. Season & Smoke the Chicken

• Rub the chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cumin.
• Place the chicken directly on the smoker grates and smoke for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Remove from the smoker and let it rest before shredding or dicing.

3. Roast the Tomatillos & Peppers

• While the chicken is smoking, place tomatillos, poblanos, jalapeños, onion, and garlic on a baking sheet.
• Roast at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, or until charred and softened.
• (Optional: You can also roast them directly on the smoker for extra smoky flavor.)

4. Blend the Chile Verde Sauce

• Transfer the roasted tomatillos, peppers, onion, and garlic to a blender.
• Add cilantro, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, lime juice, and chicken broth.
• Blend until smooth.

5. Simmer the Chicken in Chile Verde

• Pour the sauce into a large pot or Dutch oven.
• Add the smoked chicken and simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Adjust seasoning if needed.

6. Serve & Enjoy

• Garnish with extra cilantro and serve with warm tortillas, rice, or beans.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 6
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Smoke Time: 1.5-2 hours
• Simmer Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2.5-3 hours

Variations

• Extra Spicy – Add more jalapeños or serrano peppers.
• Creamy Chile Verde – Stir in a splash of heavy cream or sour cream.
• Chunky Verde – Leave some tomatillos and chiles diced instead of blended.
• Beer-Braised Version – Replace chicken broth with a Mexican lager.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheating:
  • Stovetop – Heat in a pot over medium-low heat until warmed through.
  • Microwave – Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between.
• Freezing: Freeze for up to 3 months in a sealed container. Thaw before reheating.

FAQs

What’s the best wood for smoking chicken?

Hickory, oak, mesquite, or fruit woods like apple or cherry work great.

Can I make this with pork instead of chicken?

Yes! Smoked pork shoulder or pork butt works beautifully with chile verde.

How do I make this dish milder?

Use fewer jalapeños and replace some poblanos with Anaheim peppers.

Can I use store-bought salsa verde instead of homemade?

Yes, but homemade gives the best depth of flavor.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes! After smoking, combine everything in a slow cooker on LOW for 4-6 hours.

What’s the best way to serve smoked chicken chile verde?

In tacos, burritos, enchiladas, over rice, or with warm tortillas.

Can I grill the chicken instead of smoking it?

Yes! Grill over medium heat until 165°F internal temp.

How do I thicken the chile verde sauce?

Let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes, or blend in a few cooked tomatillos.

Can I use canned tomatillos?

Fresh is best, but canned tomatillos can work in a pinch.

What side dishes pair well with chile verde?

Mexican rice, refried beans, grilled corn, or a fresh avocado salad.

Conclusion

This Smoked Chicken Chile Verde is an easy, flavorful, and smoky twist on a classic Mexican dish. Perfectly tender smoked chicken paired with a zesty green chile sauce makes for a dish that’s great in tacos, burritos, or just on its own. Fire up the smoker and enjoy a bold, satisfying meal!

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