Caldo De Pollo: Authentic Mexican Chicken Soup
Experience the warm and comforting flavors of Mexico with this delicious Caldo De Pollo, a traditional chicken soup packed with nutritious vegetables and aromatic spices. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a soothing remedy when you're feeling under the weather, this soup is a hearty meal that brings people together. With tender chicken, vibrant veggies, and a blend of spices, each bowl is a celebration of home-cooked goodness. Share it with loved ones and enjoy a genuine taste of Mexican cuisine.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Whole chicken
1 (cleaned and cut into pieces)
Water
8 (cups)
Tomatoes
1 (chopped)
Onion
1 (diced)
Oil
1 (tablespoon)
Garlic cloves
4 (mashed)
Sweet potatoes
4 (cubed)
Zucchini
2 (diced)
Broccoli
1 (head, florets chopped small)
Cumin
1 (tablespoon)
Chili powder
1 (tablespoon)
Paprika
2 (teaspoons)
Garlic powder
1 (teaspoon)
Cilantro
1 (tablespoon, chopped)
Chicken bouillon cube
1
Pepper
1 (teaspoon)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and mashed garlic and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
2
Stir in the cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
3
Add the cubed sweet potatoes and chopped broccoli to the pot, stirring to combine with the onion and spices.
4
Pour in 8 cups of water and add the chicken bouillon cube, stirring until dissolved.
5
Carefully add the chicken pieces to the pot, ensuring they are immersed in the liquid.
6
Cover the pot and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 1 hour until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
7
Remove the chicken from the pot and allow to cool slightly. Debone, remove the skin, and shred the chicken into small pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
8
Add the diced zucchini and chopped tomatoes to the soup, stirring to combine. Simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes until the zucchini is tender.
9
Stir in the chopped cilantro just before serving for a fresh flavor boost.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Caldo De Pollo?
Caldo De Pollo is a traditional Mexican chicken soup made with tender chicken, nutritious vegetables like sweet potatoes and zucchini, and aromatic spices.
What kind of chicken is best for this recipe?
This recipe uses one whole chicken, cleaned and cut into pieces, which provides a rich and flavorful broth.
How many servings does this soup make?
This authentic Mexican chicken soup recipe makes approximately 6 servings.
Which vegetables are included in this Caldo De Pollo?
The soup features sweet potatoes, zucchini, broccoli florets, tomatoes, and onions.
What spices give the soup its authentic flavor?
The authentic taste comes from a blend of cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and fresh cilantro.
How long does it take to cook the chicken?
The chicken should be simmered in the pot for approximately 1 hour until it is tender and fully cooked.
When should I add the zucchini?
The zucchini and chopped tomatoes are added toward the end of the cooking process and simmered for 30 minutes until tender.
Do I need to shred the chicken?
Yes, after cooking the whole chicken pieces for an hour, you should remove them, debone, remove the skin, and shred the meat before returning it to the pot.
What is the purpose of adding a chicken bouillon cube?
The chicken bouillon cube is used to enhance the depth of flavor in the 8 cups of water used as the soup's base.
Is Caldo De Pollo good for when you are sick?
Yes, it is considered a soothing remedy and a comforting meal, perfect for when you are feeling under the weather.
How is the garlic prepared for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 mashed garlic cloves to be sautéed with the onions, plus 1 teaspoon of garlic powder for extra seasoning.
Can I use oil to start the soup?
Yes, you should heat one tablespoon of oil over medium heat to sauté the onion and garlic at the start.
When is the cilantro added?
Stir in one tablespoon of chopped cilantro just before serving to provide a fresh flavor boost.
Are the sweet potatoes cooked the whole time?
The cubed sweet potatoes are added early in the process and cook for the full hour while the chicken simmers.
How much water is required for the broth?
The recipe requires 8 cups of water to create the base for the soup.
How do I prepare the broccoli for the soup?
You should use one head of broccoli and chop the florets into small pieces before adding them to the pot.
Is the soup spicy?
While it contains chili powder and paprika, it is generally considered a mild and aromatic soup rather than a very spicy one.
Do I cook the spices before adding water?
Yes, stir in the cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper and cook for one minute until fragrant before adding liquids.
How should I cut the zucchini?
The two zucchini should be diced before being added to the soup for the final 30 minutes of simmering.
What is the order of adding ingredients?
Start with aromatics and spices, then add potatoes and broccoli, followed by water and chicken, and finally zucchini and tomatoes.
Can I use different vegetables in Caldo De Pollo?
While this authentic recipe uses specific veggies like sweet potatoes and zucchini, it is a versatile soup that can accommodate various garden-fresh vegetables.
Is this a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is a healthy, protein-rich meal packed with fiber from the sweet potatoes and vitamins from the various vegetables.
How do I ensure the chicken is flavorful?
Sautéing the spices first and simmering the chicken directly in the seasoned broth ensures the meat is infused with flavor.
Should the pot be covered while cooking?
The pot should be covered during the initial hour of simmering the chicken, then uncovered for the final 30 minutes after adding the zucchini.
How do I prep the onion?
One onion should be diced and sautéed until translucent at the very beginning of the recipe.
What amount of paprika is used?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of paprika to be added to the spice mix.
How much pepper is added to the soup?
One teaspoon of pepper is included in the aromatic spice blend for the soup.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, like many soups, Caldo De Pollo often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld.
How small should I shred the chicken?
The chicken should be shredded into small, bite-sized pieces so it is easy to eat with the vegetables and broth.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to stir in the fresh chopped cilantro to add a bright, herbal finish to the soup.