Description
Caldo de Pollo is a traditional Mexican chicken soup that is hearty and flavorful, featuring tender chicken leg quarters simmered with a variety of fresh vegetables and seasoned with garlic and cilantro. This comforting dish is perfect for a nourishing family meal, combining rich broth with nutritious veggies.
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
- 0.5 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all the necessary ingredients as listed, ensuring the vegetables are washed, peeled, and cut into large chunks for even cooking.
- Prepare the Broth: Place the chicken leg quarters into a large stockpot and pour 2 gallons of water over them. Add the minced garlic, salt, and garlic powder, then cover the pot.
- Cook Chicken: Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Let the chicken cook gently until the meat falls off the bones, which takes about 1 to 2 hours, creating a rich broth.
- Add Bouillon and Vegetables: Stir in the chicken bouillon cube until it dissolves completely. Then add the carrots, potatoes, zucchini, chayote, and white onion to the pot.
- Simmer Vegetables: Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the soup until the carrots and potatoes are tender, which will take between 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Add Cilantro and Final Simmer: 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 serve immediately for a hearty, comforting meal.
Notes
- Caldo de Pollo is a simple yet richly flavored chicken soup that incorporates a variety of wholesome vegetables.
- Fresh cilantro is essential for authentic flavor and should be added just before finishing to maintain its freshness.
- Using chicken leg quarters provides tender meat and a flavorful broth.
- The soup can be customized by adding other vegetables like corn or green beans if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- 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
