Pollo en Salsa Roja
Pollo en Salsa Roja is a classic Mexican comfort food featuring chicken simmered in a rich, savory red sauce. The sauce is typically made from a blend of rehydrated dried chiles (like guajillo or ancho), tomatoes, garlic, and spices, creating a deep, complex flavor. It's a staple home-cooked meal found throughout Mexico, often served with rice and beans.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is a good source of protein from the chicken, with a moderate amount of fat depending on the cut used and cooking method. The red sauce provides vitamins A and C from the chiles and tomatoes, along with beneficial antioxidants. A typical serving with a piece of chicken and sauce generally ranges from 300 to 450 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbs | 12 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
| Potassium | 450 mg |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Vitamin A | 80 mcg RAE |
| Iron | 2.1 mg |
| Calcium | 45 mg |
| Phosphorus | 220 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.5 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 6 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, the dish showcases the foundational 'salsa roja' of Mexican cuisine, where the flavor comes from toasting and blending dried chiles—a technique central to the country's culinary identity. Nutritionally, the capsaicin in the chiles may offer metabolism-boosting benefits, and the sauce is often naturally low in carbohydrates.
