Caldo de Pollo
Chicken Soup is one of those comfort foods that has no borders, and traditional Mexican cooks have a special place for it, too. With a rich broth from the chicken and a medley of vegetables, this caldo de pollo is more than just a soup – it's a remedy for the soul.
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 55 min
- Yield
- 8 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 whole chicken (About 3-4 pounds, cut out in pieces *See Notes)
- 8 cups of water
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 1/2 white onion
- 4 garlic cloves (peeled)
- 3 Celery sprigs
- 3 Large carrots (cut into 3 pieces each)
- 2 Cilantro branches
- 1 avocado (diced)
- 1/2 white onion (finely chopped)
- 1 lime (cut in wedges)
- 1 serrano or jalapeño pepper (minced)
- 1/4 cup Cilantro (chopped)
- Cooked white rice (optional)
- Warm corn tortillas
Instructions
- 1
Cut the chicken into pieces to fit your pot, and peel and cut your vegetables.
- 2
Then, bring chicken, water, and salt into a large pot at medium-high heat and boil. Once foam starts forming on the surface, skim and discard.
- 3
After removing the foam, add the onion, garlic, and celery. Partially cover the pot. Turn the heat down and gently simmer for about 30 minutes. Do not boil.
- 4
Add the carrots and cilantro, and if you are using other veggies, add them 15 minutes later since carrots take longer to cook.
- 5
Check the chicken for doneness, and once cooked, remove it and set it aside to cool.
- 6
Keep simmering the broth for about ten more minutes until carrots are completely cooked and tender.
- 7
When the chicken pieces have cooled, shred them or cut them into small bite-sized pieces. Dice the carrots once they are cooked and set aside.
- 8
Strain the broth using a large fine mesh strainer. Return the chicken broth to the pot and let it settle for about 8-10 minutes; remove the fat that rises to the surface using a large spoon. If you are not using the broth right away, you can skim off the fat after placing the broth in the fridge for some time.
- 9
Turn the heat on to low to warm up and check if it needs more salt to your taste. When ready to serve, place some cooked rice (if using) and a serving of shredded chicken and carrots in a medium-sized bowl and stir in the warm broth. Let everyone garnish their own soup.