A Cuban Chicken Soup recipe (sopa de pollo) is easy and relatively quick. It is serious comfort food, especially when you're sick. This soup really warms your soul and is a favorite in Cuba.
Some Cuban friends introduced me to this soup some time ago, their mom was making it and they were drooling, waiting for it to be served up.
I must admit, I love it and have always had it in the back of my mind to try my hand at making a batch. I was surprised at the simplicity of it.
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What makes this recipe so yummy
- Ingredients you would tend to have on hand, and if you don't, they're easy to get from any grocery store.
- It reminds you of the chicken noodle soup we'd eat when sick as a child. Delicious soups we can all appreciate.
- This delicious Cuban recipe is perfect on a chilly day - perfect comfort food.
Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post
- Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a heavy bottomed pot over medium heat and add the onions, bell peppers and celery.
- Step 2: Cook until soft, about 5 minutes, then add the garlic. Cook another 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Add the chopped chicken pieces and brown a little. While that's happening boil 2 cups of the water, then add the bouillon. Mix well with a whisk then add to the pot with the chicken.
- Step 4: Add the remaining water, stir the ingredients and bring to a boil.
- Step 5: Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover. Simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 6: After 45 minutes add the carrots and potatoes and cook another 30 minutes.
- Step 7: Add the corn pieces and cook another 15.
- Step 8: Add the angel hair pasta and cook another 4 minutes until al dente.
Hint: Exchange the angel hair pasta for any noodle you prefer.
If you find you need to add more fluid, add chicken broth. Sometimes if you add too much pasta it can suck up the fluid too much.
Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Tomato Paste - this can be added at the beginning when cooking down your onions. Adds a certain acidity and flavor as well as thickening.
- Tomato Sauce - same as above.
- Bay Leaf - add some bay leaves while cooking.
- Sweet Potatoes - some people like to use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes.
- Green Onions - finish the dish with a sprinkling of chopped green onions.
- Lime Juice - Squeeze the juice from a lime or two at the end, if you like.
- Black Beans - some people like to add beans to their chicken soup.
- Fresh Chopped Cilantro - finish the dish by sprinkling some at the end.
- Turmeric Powder - check if your bouillon has this. If not, sprinkle a little into the chicken broth.
- Sour Cream - can be added for richness.
- White Rice - try this instead of the noodles.
- Sazon - add a sazon packet or two, instead of the bouillon.
- Fidelini Noodles - it's a thin spaghetti - much like angel hair.
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Necessary gear: Equipment
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A large pot is needed to cook this soup. I like to use my large Dutch Oven. I have a link to my favorite one on Amazon in the recipe card below.
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How to store leftovers
Once the Cuban chicken soup has cooled completely store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Pasta doesn't really freeze and thaw too well, it gets a bit weird, so I wouldn't recommend freezing it. If you complete all the steps before the pasta then want to take a few bowls to freeze, that would be a great idea.
In that case, it will freeze well for up to 3 months.
Mel's kitchen notes
Speed things up by using a rotisserie chicken instead. You can eliminate the initial 45 minutes of cooking by adding the shredded chicken.
About The Author
Melanie Cagle
Melanie is a professional cook, food photographer and Cajun food connoisseur. Since 2020 she has been sharing rigorously tested recipes and tutorials right here on this blog.
Her work has been featured on Fox News channels, Yahoo news, Southern Living and more.
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Cuban Chicken Soup Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
- 1 Each Yellow Onions diced
- 1 Each Green Bell Pepper diced
- 1 Rib Celery diced
- 4 Cloves Garlic minced
- 8 Each Chicken Thighs boneless skinless, cut into 1" pieces
- 8 Cups Water
- 3 Tablespoons Chicken Bouillon
- 3 Each Carrots medium, sliced
- 4 Each Yellow Potatoes large, quartered
- 2 Each Corn on the Cob cut into 3" pieces
- 6 Ounces Angel Hair Spaghetti
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a large heavy bottomed pot (like a Dutch Oven).2 teaspoons Olive Oil
- Add the onions, bell pepper and celery and cook for 5 minutes over medium-high heat until soft.1 Each Yellow Onions, 1 Each Green Bell Pepper, 1 Rib Celery
- Add the garlic and cook a further 2 minutes.4 Cloves Garlic
- Add the chicken pieces stir well and cook a couple of minutes.8 Each Chicken Thighs
- While that's happening boil some water in a kettle and add to a measuring jug. Add the bouillion to that hot water and mix well.8 Cups Water, 3 Tablespoons Chicken Bouillon
- Pour into the pot then add the remaining water.
- Stir well and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to a low roll and cover. Simmer like that for about 45 minutes.
- Add the sliced carrots and potatoes and cook another 30 minutes then add the corn. Continue cooking for another 15 minutes.3 Each Carrots, 4 Each Yellow Potatoes, 2 Each Corn on the Cob
- Add the angel hair pasta and cook for about another 4 minutes then turn off the heat.6 Ounces Angel Hair Spaghetti
- Taste the broth to see if you need to add some salt and pepper. Season to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
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