How to Make Authentic Cuban Chicken Soup (Sopa de Pollo)

The hearty and comforting Cuban chicken soup, also called sopa de pollo, is an important part of Cuban food. There are lots of tasty things in this soup, like chicken, potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, corn, and noodles. It might take a while to make real Cuban chicken soup from scratch, but it is well worth the time. If you want to make Cuban chicken soup at home, read this guide.

Overview of Cuban Chicken Soup

Cuban chicken soup is a meal in itself meant to be served as a main course not as a starter soup. Some key features that make this soup uniquely Cuban are

• You start by making your own chicken broth with chicken, onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. This infuses the broth with tons of flavor.

• Starchy vegetables like plantains, pumpkin, yuca, and potatoes are added to the broth to thicken it and give it more heart.

• Fresh corn on the cob adds sweetness.

• Thin noodles like fideo or fidelini soak up the delicious broth.

• Fresh lemon juice right before serving adds brightness.

• Loads of fresh cilantro and green onions add aromatic flavor.

So this soup truly has it all – flavorful homemade broth, tender chicken, potatoes, corn, noodles and bright lemon. Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients Needed

For the broth

• Whole chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, wings)
• Yellow onion
• Celery
• Carrots
• Garlic
• Bay leaf
• Oregano
• Cumin

For the soup:

• Cooked chicken pieces
• Potatoes
• Pumpkin or calabaza squash
• Corn on the cob
• Yuca (optional)
• Fideo noodles
• Lemon juice
• Green onions
• Cilantro
• Chicken bouillon or base
• Turmeric powder
• Salt and pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to make authentic Cuban chicken soup at home:

Make the Chicken Broth

1. Place the chicken pieces, quartered onion, smashed garlic, bay leaf, celery, carrots, oregano and cumin in a large pot. Cover completely with water.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat. Then reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer.
3. Simmer for 90 minutes, skimming off any foam or fat from the top.
4. Remove the chicken pieces and set aside to cool. Strain the broth.

Prepare the Soup Ingredients

While the broth simmers:

1. Cut the remaining carrot and celery into bitesized pieces.
2. Peel and cube the pumpkin or calabaza.
3. Peel and cube the potatoes.
4. Cut the corn cob into rounds.
5. Cook the fideo noodles according to package directions.
6. Once cooled, shred the chicken meat off the bones.

Finish the Cuban Chicken Soup

1. Add the chicken base and turmeric to the strained broth and bring to a simmer.
2. Add the carrot, celery, pumpkin, potatoes and corn. Cook 5-7 minutes.
3. Add the shredded chicken and cooked noodles. Cook another 5-10 minutes.
4. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
5. Ladle into bowls and garnish with cilantro and green onions.

Now you know how to make the best and most authentic Cuban chicken soup in just a few easy steps. The next day, after all the flavors have mixed, this soup is even better. Enjoy this hearty Cuban comfort food!.

Tips for Making the Best Cuban Chicken Soup

Here are some additional tips to help you make the tastiest sopa de pollo:

• Use bone-in chicken pieces to make the broth for the most flavor. Mix drumsticks, thighs and wings.

• Simmer the broth slowly for a long time – at least 90 minutes. This extracts maximum flavor from the chicken and vegetables.

• Strain the broth in batches through a fine mesh sieve to remove any impurities.

• Cook the noodles separately, then add them to the soup right before serving so they don’t get mushy.

• Add lemon juice just before eating to keep the bright, fresh flavor.

• Chop the cilantro at the last minute to prevent discoloration.

• Add chicken base, bouillon or seasoning to boost the broth flavor.

• Adjust salt and pepper until the soup tastes well-seasoned.

Ingredient Substitutions

Don’t have one of the ingredients for Cuban chicken soup? Here are some easy substitutions:

• No pumpkin? Substitute with chopped calabaza squash.

• No yuca? Leave it out or use potatoes instead.

• No fideo noodles? Use vermicelli or angel hair pasta.

• No chicken base? Use 2 bouillon cubes or season the broth well.

• No turmeric? Leave it out or use a pinch of saffron instead.

The great thing about Cuban chicken soup is you can adapt it based on what you have on hand. Get creative with vegetables like chayote, cassava or cabbage too.

Variations

There are many ways to put your own spin on classic Cuban chicken soup:

• Add sliced chorizo or ham for extra flavor

• Use all thighs or drumsticks for a deeper chicken flavor

• Add peeled, diced tomatoes with the vegetables

• Stir in some cooked white rice along with the noodles

• Garnish with avocado slices or fried plantain chips

• Add a dash of hot sauce for some heat

• Float slices of lime instead of lemon

• Top with shredded queso fresco or jack cheese

Enjoying Cuban Chicken Soup

Cuban chicken soup is meant to be enjoyed family-style. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Allow guests to help themselves from a large pot placed on the table.

• Serve with slices of Cuban bread for dipping into the broth.

• Offer lime and lemon wedges for squeezing over the soup.

• Provide hot sauce like Tabasco for adding heat.

• Add some crunchy tostones (fried plantains) on the side.

• Chill any leftovers to enjoy as a cold soup the next day.

With its medley of flavors and textures, this soup really captures the essence of Cuban cuisine. Now you can recreate this timeless classic at home for your family. So grab your pot and get to simmering – authentic Cuban chicken soup awaits!

Yes, you can cook chicken before adding it to soup, and it’s a common practice for several reasons.