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Slow-cooker whole chicken in salsa verde with rice

Whole chicken slow-cooked for 4 hours in homemade tomatillo-cilantro salsa verde. Served with white rice seasoned with bay leaf, garlic and a hint of cumin. Makes 4 generous servings.

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Slow-cooker whole chicken in salsa verde with rice

Whole chicken slow-cooked for 4 hours in homemade tomatillo-cilantro salsa verde. Served with white rice seasoned with bay leaf, garlic and a hint of cumin. Makes 4 generous servings.

Prep time
15 min
Cook time
240 min
Servings
4
Calories
550 kcal

Macros:Protein 52gCarbs 45gFat 18g

~250 g chicken + 100 g rice per serving

Ingredients

  • · 1 whole chicken (~3–4 lb)
  • · 6–8 tomatillos, husked and rinsed
  • · 1 large bunch fresh cilantro (leaves and tender stems)
  • · 2–3 jalapeños (or 1–2 chipotles in adobo for a smoky swap)
  • · 1 large tomato
  • · 1 medium white onion, quartered
  • · 4 garlic cloves
  • · Salt to taste
  • · ---
  • · 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • · 2 cups water
  • · 1 bay leaf
  • · 2 garlic cloves, lightly smashed
  • · ¼ onion
  • · 1 small piece of carrot
  • · A pinch of ground cumin
  • · Salt to taste

Directions

  1. 1
    Blend the tomatillos, cilantro, jalapeños (or chipotles), tomato, onion and garlic with a pinch of salt until you get a uniform salsa. It does not need to be perfectly smooth.⏱ 5 min
  2. 2
    Season the whole chicken inside and out with salt and pepper. Place it in the slow cooker.
  3. 3
    Pour the salsa verde over the chicken, making sure it is well covered.
  4. 4
    Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours, or LOW for 6–7 hours, until the chicken falls apart easily with a fork.⏱ 240 min
  5. 5
    While the chicken cooks (or towards the end), prepare the rice: heat a drizzle of oil in a medium saucepan, sauté the garlic, onion and carrot for 1–2 minutes.⏱ 2 min
  6. 6
    Add the rice and toast for one minute, stirring. Add the water, bay leaf, cumin and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to the lowest heat, cover and cook without lifting the lid for 15 minutes. Turn off and let rest covered for 5 minutes.⏱ 20 min
  7. 7
    Remove the chicken from the slow cooker, shred the meat off the bone and serve bathed in the cooking salsa alongside the rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.