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    Home » Recipes » Mexican

    Caldo de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Soup) + VIDEO

    Published: Sep 17, 2020 · Updated: Nov 9, 2022 by Maggie Unzueta

    Caldo de Pollo, or Mexican Chicken Soup, is the best comfort food. No penicillin needed after you eat a bowl of this delicious soulful goodness. Enjoy!
    Jump to Recipe
    Mexican Chicken Soup in a white bowl surrounded by lime and cilantro leaves.
    Caldo de Pollo, or Mexican Chicken Soup, served in a white bowl and surrounded by spoons, cilantro, and lime wedges.

    Caldo de Pollo, or Mexican Chicken Soup – Mmmmm!

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Coming home with soaking wet feet after a day of struggling with your umbrella in the wind and enjoying a bowl of this incredibly COMFORTING soup. Yes that!

    No penicillin needed to heal the heart and calm the mind. Just delicious soulful goodness.

    Table of Contents

    • 1 More Mexican Soup Recipes:
    • 2 How to Make It
    • 3 What type of chicken meat to use?
    • 4 Leftover Chicken Recipes:
    • 5 Pro Tip:
    • 6 More Mexican Chicken Recipes:
    • 7 Vegetables
    • 8 Chicken Broth vs. Water:
    • 9 For Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup:
    • 10 For an Instant Pot Mexican Chicken Soup
    • 11 How Long Does It Last?
    • 12 To add more spice:
    • 13 You Might Also Like:
        • 13.0.1 Hungry for More?
    • 14 Caldo de Pollo, or Mexican Chicken Soup
      • 14.1 Ingredients
      • 14.2 Instructions
      • 14.3 Video
      • 14.4 Notes
      • 14.5 Nutrition
          • 14.5.0.1 Maggie Unzueta

    More Mexican Soup Recipes:

    • Caldo de Res
    • Caldo de Camaron
    • Caldo de Albondigas
    • Caldo de Pescado
     

    How to Make It

    A pot covered with a lid cooking chicken and labeled "simmer 1 hour."
    • Cook the chicken.
    • Simmer for 1 hour.

    What type of chicken meat to use?

    In Mexico, every part of the chicken is used. There is no waste. If you go to a restaurant, you might see chicken drumsticks in your Mexican Chicken Soup. Save some extra Chicken Quinoa Bowls.

    Two forks shredding cooked chicken.
    • Remove the chicken and reserve the broth.
    • Let cool slightly before shredding.

    This is shredded and cooked chicken thighs and chicken breast.

    Leftover Chicken Recipes:

    • Entomatadas de Pollo
    • Enmoladas de Pollo
    • Ensalada de Pollo
    Caldo de Pollo, or Mexican Chicken Soup is the perfect comfort dish during cold weather. It takes on the flavors south of the border without overwhelming your palate. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen
    • Chop all the veggies.
    • Set them aside until ready to use.

    See that corn staring back at you? Chop the ear into small 3-inch pieces and let them cook with the other ingredients.

    The longer they simmer, the better. Yum! Yum!

    This is an authentic Mexican chicken soup recipe that you are going to LOVE.

    Mexican Squash, or Calabacitas

    This Mexican squash, or calabacitas (see picture above) is easy to find in California. If you can’t find it, you can very well use zucchini.

    Pro Tip:

    Chop your veggies as soon as you get home from the grocery store. That way, cooking is easier throughout the week.

    When it comes to the vegetables, why chop twice? If you know you are using carrots for a dish tomorrow, chop extra and save them in a plastic container.

    More Mexican Chicken Recipes:

    • Chicken Poblano
    • Chicken Tinga Tostadas
    • Pollo a la Diabla
    • Chicken Fideo Soup
    A pot with vegetables cooking inside.

    Vegetables

    • Carrots
    • Onions
    • Corn
    • Calabacitas (or zucchini)
    • Chayote
    • Celery
    • Cabbage
    • Parsely
    • Cilantro
    • Lime juice

    A mixture of any of these vegetables (or all) will make a hearty Caldo de Pollo. Omit the chicken, and you have Caldo de Verduras (or Mexican Vegetable Soup).

    The reserved broth pouring into a pot with vegetables.

    Chicken Broth vs. Water:

    If you have homemade chicken broth, use it! There’s a depth of flavors in it that are awesome and hard to duplicate.

    NOTE: Instead of chicken broth, add 8 cups water + 2 cubes of chicken bouillon.

    Even just water by itself is good in this recipe, but be sure to add salt.

    You can also use pre-made chicken broth and skip to step 9 in the recipe instructions.

    A pot with chicken and vegetables simmering next to decorative Mexican pottery.

    For Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup:

    Yes, you can make this chicken soup in the crockpot. Yay!

    • Skip to Step 9.
    • Add all the ingredients in the slow cooker.
    • Set on low for 6 hours, or high for 4 hours.
    • Shred the chicken before serving.

    For an Instant Pot Mexican Chicken Soup

    This comes together really, really fast!

    • Skip to Step 9.
    • Add all the ingredients to the instant pot.
    • Place lid on. Press Pressure Cook. Set timer 10 minutes.
    • Full natural release. Enjoy.
    • Shred the chicken before serving.
    Caldo de Pollo, or Mexican Chicken Soup, in a white bowl topped with an ear of corn and surrounded by cilantro, spoons, and lime wedges.

    How Long Does It Last?

    • In the fridge, Caldo de Pollo lasts 3-4 days.
    • In the freezer, Caldo de Pollo lasts 4-6 months.

    To add more spice:

    Add more jalapeño, a few slices of fried dried ancho chile, crushed chile de arbol or chile piquin.

    You Might Also Like:

    Chicken Drumsticks in Tamarind Chile Sauce
    Mexican Chicken Torta
    Pollo al Chipotle
    Pollo Adobado, Pozole Blanco
    Pollo en Crema

    Caldo de Pollo, or Mexican Chicken Soup, is a comforting and TASTY dish that everyone will enjoy. Serve with rice and tortillas.

    Hungry for More?

    Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube for my latest recipes and videos.

    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!
    Caldo de Pollo, or Mexican Chicken Soup served in a white bowl and surrounded by lime and spoons.

    Caldo de Pollo, or Mexican Chicken Soup

    Caldo de Pollo, or Mexican Chicken Soup, is the best comfort food. No penicillin needed after you eat a bowl of this delicious soulful goodness. Enjoy!
    4.95 from 57 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 499kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 5 lbs chicken
    • 4 celery sticks chopped (divided)
    • 1 onion diced (divided)
    • 4 garlic cloves finely minced (divided)
    • 2 carrots chopped
    • 4 Mexican squash or zucchini, chopped
    • 1 jalapeño finely diced
    • 2 ears of corn chopped into 3-inch pieces
    • 8 cups water
    • Salt and pepper
    • 2 bay leaves
    • Juice of 2 limes
    • Handful of cilantro chopped

    Instructions

    • In a large stock pot, add 8 cups of water, chicken, 2 celery sticks, ½ onion, 2 garlic cloves, salt, pepper.
    • Cover and bring to a boil.
    • Reduce heat and let simmer for 1 hour.
    • Skim the fat off the top of the liquid.
    • Reserve the liquid.
    • Discard the other ingredients from the pot except for the chicken.
    • Set the chicken aside and let it cool.
    • Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove meat from the bones.
    • In the same pot, add the remaining celery, onion, garlic, carrots, squash, jalapeño, corn, reserved liquid from the cooked chicken, salt and pepper, bay leaves, lime juice, and chicken.
    • Make sure the liquid is 2 inches above everything in the pot.
    • If not, add water and more salt.
    • Cover and cook for 45 minutes on low heat.
    • Serve and top with cilantro.
    • Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    If you can’t find calabacitas, you zucchini instead.  
    Lime juice can be added either in the cooking process or at the end, right before serving.
    For Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup:
    • Cook the chicken. Shred the meat.
    • Add all the ingredients (except the calabacitas) in the slow cooker.
    • Set on low for 6 hours, or high for 4 hours.
    • One hour before done, add the calabacitas. 
    For an Instant Pot Mexican Chicken Soup
    • Cook the chicken. Shred meat. 
    • Add all the ingredients to the instant pot. 
    • Place lid on. Press Pressure Cook. Set timer 10 minutes.
    • Release pressure. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 499kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 83g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 242mg | Sodium: 487mg | Potassium: 1927mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 3865IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!
    Maggie Unzueta
    Website | + posts

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kelly Page

      March 30, 2021 at 1:42 pm

      5 stars
      Love how easy and delicious this is. Simple ingredients that are nutritious – love it!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        March 31, 2021 at 4:59 pm

        Right? So easy and delicious

        Reply
    2. Amber Myers

      March 30, 2021 at 1:25 pm

      5 stars
      This looks like an incredible soup! I can’t wait to give it a try.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        March 31, 2021 at 4:59 pm

        Thank you very much hope you try this recipe

        Reply
    3. Jamie

      February 07, 2021 at 10:53 pm

      5 stars
      This is just perfect right now because it’s been extra chilly where I am and my family is always looking for satisfying soups like this one. Absolutely delicious and full of flavor!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        February 15, 2021 at 11:59 am

        So glad you enjoyed this Jamie!

        Reply
    4. Jacqueline Debono

      February 07, 2021 at 12:22 pm

      5 stars
      Chicken soup is my go to when I’m feeling under the weather. This recipe looks so good. Love the corn and the addition of chilis!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        February 15, 2021 at 12:00 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this!

        Reply
    5. Uma S

      February 07, 2021 at 11:35 am

      Soup is one of my favorite meals during winter. Here you added my favorite veggies like squash and corn. I love the idea of using jalapeno in the soup!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        February 15, 2021 at 12:01 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this. Hope you try it!

        Reply
    6. Kushigalu

      February 07, 2021 at 8:44 am

      5 stars
      Love Mexican flavors and this soup look so comforting. Perfect for weather here. Making this soup for my family soon. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        February 15, 2021 at 12:01 pm

        Glad you liked it! It’s delicious

        Reply
    7. Julia

      February 05, 2021 at 11:24 am

      5 stars
      Wow, this looks so simple but so hearty. My husband LOVES soup, even on the hottest of days. Thinking of making him this over the weekend now knowing how easy it is now!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        March 10, 2021 at 8:57 am

        Easy and delicious. Glad you liked it!

        Reply
    8. veenaazmanov

      February 04, 2021 at 7:29 am

      5 stars
      A Bowl of goodness for Dinner. This is surely my comfort meal. I love the healthy combination.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        February 15, 2021 at 12:02 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this!

        Reply
    9. Farrukh Aziz

      February 03, 2021 at 10:52 pm

      5 stars
      Warm soup? Count me in. This makes an amazing dish for a rainy evening, doesn’t it? Sounds just like what I’m craving!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        February 15, 2021 at 12:02 pm

        It’s delicious. Hope you try it!

        Reply
    10. Sharon

      February 03, 2021 at 5:58 pm

      5 stars
      Healthy, easy, and delicious! That’s what this soup is. I love the addition of all the fresh vegetables in it.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        February 15, 2021 at 12:03 pm

        Hope you try it! It’s amazing

        Reply
    11. Kiwi

      February 18, 2019 at 2:16 am

      I love a good hearty soup. I would indulge in this minus the chicken I would have to make this veggie style!

      Reply
    12. Mika

      February 17, 2019 at 5:57 am

      This looks soo good ! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    13. Sincerely Miss J

      February 16, 2019 at 5:41 pm

      This looks tasty and perfect for the cold. I should try this

      Reply
    14. Elizabeth Keene

      February 16, 2019 at 2:25 pm

      I don’t think Ive ever seen Mexican Chicken Soup look so tasty.

      XOXO

      Elizabeth Keene

      https://akeenesenseofstyle.com

      Reply
    15. Sue-Tanya Mchorgh

      February 16, 2019 at 12:42 am

      5 stars
      I have never had this soup before but looking at the pictures and the ingredients, I am intrigued. I would love to make this one day for my family.

      Reply
    16. Preet

      February 15, 2019 at 10:35 pm

      Oh wow, this one is a winner. Looks delightful and tasty. My husband would love this for sure.

      Reply
    17. Nikki

      February 15, 2019 at 8:08 pm

      This recipe sounds so good it feels earthy and homey I love it can’t wait to try it.

      Reply
    18. Catherine

      February 15, 2019 at 7:40 pm

      I could go for a bowl of this tonight…perfect evening for comfort food. This sounds and looks wonderful and easy make too!

      Reply
    19. Shar

      February 15, 2019 at 7:10 pm

      Ooh this looks so yummy and I love all the healthy ingredients! I will definitely be trying this for my family soon!

      Reply
    20. Jasmine Hewitt

      February 15, 2019 at 6:03 pm

      if the weather dips back in low temps, I will have to try making this. looks really good

      Reply
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