Jessica Alba managed to turn a quiet moment in her kitchen into a full-blown internet discussion — without ever leaving her hoodie.
In a January 13 Instagram Reel, Jessica Alba invited followers into her home as she prepared what she described as a healthier take on pozole. The mother of three looked relaxed and effortlessly put together, wearing a gray hoodie and matching trousers layered over a cropped white tank top. As the cooking progressed, she tied the hoodie around her waist, clearly settling in for the long haul.
She kept accessories minimal but chic, opting for hoop earrings, a delicate necklace, and sleek hair parted down the middle. Her makeup stayed fresh and understated, leaning into a clean, natural look. Visually, the moment landed exactly where fans expect Alba to land — polished without trying too hard.
The recipe itself, however, is where things heated up.
Alba started by slowly cooking an entire chicken for hours, allowing it to release rich flavor into a hearty stock. While that simmered, she cooked down carrots and celery in another pan, then stirred in a smooth tomatillo blend mixed with cilantro and tomatoes, plus mild green chiles for gentle heat. She poured in the chicken’s bone broth, added the pulled meat, and stirred in a can of hominy — the defining element that roots the soup in classic pozole.
To finish, she folded in chopped zucchini and mushrooms and let the soup come together before serving it topped with shredded cabbage, sliced avocado, and crisp tortilla chips for texture.
While many viewers applauded the dish as wholesome and nourishing, others weren’t buying the pozole label. Critics quickly flooded the comments, arguing that what Alba made looked closer to chicken soup than the classic Mexican stew, which is typically built around pork, bold red or green chiles, and a deeper, more traditional base.
Some fans were blunt, joking that the dish was “identifying as pozole” while clearly being something else. Others were more measured, saying it looked delicious and healthy — just not authentic. A few commenters even suggested it should simply be called soup and left at that.
Still, Alba had plenty of supporters. Several followers praised the recipe, calling it comforting, tasty, and perfect for anyone looking for a lighter option.
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The discussion strikes a personal chord for Jessica Alba. The entrepreneur behind The Honest Company has frequently shared details about her family history and identity. Her father’s side traces back to Mexico, while her mother’s lineage includes Danish and French roots. Growing up in Southern California in a Mexican-American home, shaped largely by her grandparents, Alba has long spoken with pride about her Latina heritage and the role it has played in her life.
Whether fans saw pozole or chicken soup in the pot, one thing is clear: Alba didn’t just share a recipe — she sparked a conversation about tradition, interpretation, and how food connects to identity.
