Breastfeeding Friendly Caldo de Pollo

Total time1 hr 30 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time1 hr 10 min

4.7

(29)

Few things feel as nourishing as a big bowl of slow-simmered chicken soup loaded with tender vegetables, and this one delivers exactly that kind of deep, restorative comfort. Bone-in chicken pieces are simmered low and slow with onion, garlic, tomatoes, and black peppercorns, building a rich, golden broth that's genuinely satisfying without relying on any processed shortcuts. The lineup of carrots, zucchini, chayote, corn, and cabbage means every bowl is packed with a wide variety of whole vegetables — exactly the kind of nutrient-dense eating that supports a body working hard to produce milk. Staying well-nourished while breastfeeding can feel like a full-time job on top of an already full-time job, and having a pot of this on the stove makes it so much easier to eat well without overthinking it. The broth is light but deeply flavorful, and the shredded chicken makes each serving genuinely filling. A squeeze of lime, a pinch of dried oregano, and a warm corn tortilla on the side turn it into a complete, satisfying meal that feels like a treat even when you're eating it purely for fuel.

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Ingredients

6 servings

3 lb bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or a mix)
10 cups water
1 medium white onion, quartered
6 garlic cloves, smashed
2 medium tomatoes, halved
1 tsp whole black peppercorns
1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
4 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
3 medium zucchini, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 medium chayotes, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
2 ears of corn, cut into 3 rounds each
½ small head of cabbage, cut into 3 wedges
4 sprigs fresh cilantro
2 sprigs fresh mint (optional)

For serving

lime wedges, for serving (optional)
warm corn tortillas, for serving (optional)
dried oregano, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1
Place the chicken pieces in a large pot (6-quart or larger) and cover with 10 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then use a ladle or spoon to skim off any gray foam that rises to the surface, about 3–4 minutes.
2
Add the quartered onion, smashed garlic, halved tomatoes, black peppercorns, and 1 tsp salt. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover partially, and simmer for 30 minutes.

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