Description
Caldo de Pollo is a traditional Mexican chicken soup featuring tender chicken leg quarters simmered with a hearty mix of fresh vegetables like carrots, potatoes, zucchini, and chayote. This comforting, flavorful broth is seasoned with garlic, chicken bouillon, and fresh cilantro, making it a wholesome and satisfying dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Broth
- 5 pounds chicken leg quarters
- 2 gallons water
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 cube chicken bouillon
Vegetables
- 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
- 4 zucchini, cut into large chunks
- 1 chayote, cut into large chunks
- 1 large white onion, cut into large chunks
Herbs
- 0.5 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all the necessary ingredients including chicken, vegetables, spices, and herbs to prepare for cooking.
- Prepare Chicken Broth: Place the chicken leg quarters into a large stockpot and cover them with 2 gallons of water. Add minced garlic, salt, and garlic powder for seasoning.
- Simmer Chicken: Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 1 to 2 hours until the chicken meat is tender and easily falls off the bones.
- Add Bouillon and Vegetables: Stir in the chicken bouillon cube until fully dissolved. Add the prepared carrots, potatoes, zucchini, chayote, and white onion to the broth.
- Cook Vegetables: Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue simmering until the carrots and potatoes become tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Finish with Cilantro: Stir the chopped fresh cilantro into the soup and let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and enjoy immediately for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Caldo de Pollo is a simple yet richly flavored chicken soup that is loaded with nutrient-dense vegetables.
- The fresh cilantro adds a bright and aromatic finish that complements the garlic and chicken perfectly.
- You can adjust the salt and garlic to taste depending on your preference.
- For a richer broth, remove the chicken after cooking, shred it, and return it to the soup before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 400 ml)
- Calories: 606 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 2080 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 52 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg
