Over the years, Tex-Mex has become the unofficial food of Texas.  What better time than May – and the celebration of Cinco de Mayo – to consider some favorite Tex-Mex recipes.

Check out these healthy (and flavorful) recipes that’ll keep bringing you back for more.

Healthy Chicken Mole Poblano

Making mole sauce can be a long, complicated process, but this recipe is an easy version with total cooking and preparation time of an hour.

Servings: 6
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1 – 1 ½ lbs of skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 – 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced
  • 1 red chili pepper
  • 1 poblano or bell pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Mole Sauce

  • 2 dried ancho chilies
  • 1 can tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter
  • 1 ½ tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano

Pozole Verde De Pollo

This recipe couldn’t be much easier.  It only has 6 ingredients and a total cooking time of only about 10 minutes. The end product is a delicious and filling stew.

Total Time: 10 minutes

  • 2 cans mild green enchilada sauce
  • 2 ½ cups of chicken broth
  • 3 c. cooked chicken, shredded
  • 1 (15.5 oz) can golden hominy, drained and rinsed
  • ¾ cup Roma tomatoes, chopped (about 1 tomato)
  • ¾ tsp ground cumin
  • Garnishes: sliced radishes, shredded cabbage, sliced avocado, fresh cilantro or tortilla strips

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Mexican Street Corn is a personal favorite – but most traditional recipes are really high in calories and fat content.  This lightened-up salad is an easy and tasty alternative.

Servings: 12
Total Time: 30 minutes

  • 4 c canned or frozen whole-kernel corn
  • 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
  • ½ c coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/3 c chopped green onion
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1/3 c light mayonnaise
  • 3 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp lime zest
  • ½ tsp ground cumin, divided
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika, divided
  • 1/3 c crumbled feta or cotija cheese
  • ½ tsp each of salt and pepper

About the Author

Carla Paschal is Metrocrest Services Special Programs Coordinator. Before coming to Metrocrest Services, Carla worked as a Vice President of Marketing for Marsh & McLennan Agency and volunteered for Metrocrest Services’ Food Pantry and Holiday program.  As the Special Programs Coordinator, Carla loves working with volunteers to support Seasonal Programs like the holiday store.