Lactose Free Caldo de Pollo

Total time1 hr 30 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time1 hr 10 min

4.7

(29)

Few things are as deeply comforting as a big pot of Mexican chicken soup simmering away on the stove, filling the kitchen with the aroma of garlic, tomato, and fresh cilantro. This version is built entirely from whole, unprocessed ingredients — chicken, vegetables, water, and aromatics — which means it's naturally free of dairy without any substitutions or workarounds required. The broth develops incredible depth from bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces simmered low and slow with onion, smashed garlic, and tomato, creating a base that tastes like it took all day even when it didn't. Hearty chunks of carrot, chayote, zucchini, corn, and cabbage make this a true one-pot meal rather than just a light starter. A squeeze of lime and a pinch of dried oregano at the table brighten everything up and let each person customize their bowl. It's the kind of recipe that feeds a crowd, reheats beautifully, and never once makes you feel like you're missing out on anything.

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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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