Name: Classic Mexican Sopa de Pollo (Chicken Soup)
Ingredients: 2–3 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (drumsticks and thighs work best); 8–10 cups water; ½ medium white onion; 3 garlic cloves, peeled; 1 tablespoon salt, plus more to taste; 1–2 tablespoons chicken bouillon (such as Knorr); 2 Roma tomatoes, quartered; ¼ medium white onion; 1 garlic clove; ¼ cup water; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; ½ cup small shell pasta (conchitas) or elbow macaroni; 2 ears sweet corn, cut into 2-inch rounds; 2 large carrots, peeled and thickly sliced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks; ½ bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

Ingredients

Scale

This recipe comes together in three parts: a homemade chicken broth, a blended tomato base, and the final addition of vegetables and pasta.

For the Chicken and Broth

2–3 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (drumsticks and thighs work best)
8–10 cups water
½ medium white onion
3 garlic cloves, peeled
1 tablespoon salt, plus more to taste
1–2 tablespoons chicken bouillon (such as Knorr)

For the Tomato Base

2 Roma tomatoes, quartered
¼ medium white onion
1 garlic clove
¼ cup water

For the Vegetables and Pasta

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
½ cup small shell pasta (conchitas) or elbow macaroni
2 ears sweet corn, cut into 2-inch rounds
2 large carrots, peeled and thickly sliced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
½ bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

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Instructions

This recipe involves a few key stages: making the homemade chicken broth, preparing the tomato base, toasting the pasta, and simmering everything together with the vegetables.

Step 1: Start the Broth

Place the chicken, ½ onion, garlic cloves, water, and salt into a large soup pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 2: Skim the Broth

As the broth comes to a boil, skim off any foam that rises to the surface. This step helps ensure a clear, clean-tasting broth rather than one that’s cloudy or overly greasy.

Step 3: Simmer the Chicken

Reduce the heat to low, partially cover the pot, and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Step 4: Make the Tomato Base

While the chicken cooks, blend the Roma tomatoes, ¼ onion, garlic clove, and water together until completely smooth. This creates the flavorful tomato base that gives sopa de pollo its signature color and taste.

Step 5: Toast the Pasta

Heat the vegetable oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the pasta and toast it, stirring frequently, until lightly golden, about 2 to 3 minutes. This toasting step is essential for developing the deep, nutty flavor that’s characteristic of authentic sopa de pollo.

Step 6: Cook the Tomato Sauce

Carefully pour the blended tomato mixture into the skillet with the toasted pasta. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce deepens in color and becomes fragrant.

Step 7: Prepare the Broth

Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove and discard the boiled onion and garlic from the broth, as they’ve already released their flavor into the liquid.

Step 8: Combine the Tomato Mixture and Broth

Stir the tomato and pasta mixture into the soup, then add the chicken bouillon, stirring to combine everything evenly.

Step 9: Add the First Round of Vegetables

Add the corn, carrots, and celery to the pot. Simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the vegetables to begin softening and infusing the broth with additional flavor.

Step 10: Add the Potatoes

Stir in the potatoes and continue simmering for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the pasta is fully cooked.

Step 11: Finish with Cilantro

Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped fresh cilantro, allowing its bright, herbaceous flavor to infuse the soup just before serving.

Step 12: Taste and Adjust

Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or chicken bouillon as needed to suit your preference.

Step 13: Serve

Serve the soup hot, making sure each bowl includes a piece of chicken, corn, vegetables, and plenty of the rich, flavorful broth.