MSG Free Caldo de Pollo

Total time1 hr 30 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time1 hr 10 min

4.7

(29)

This soul-warming Mexican chicken soup is built entirely from whole, fresh ingredients — bone-in chicken, garden vegetables, aromatics, and herbs — so there's nothing hidden in the bowl that doesn't belong there. For anyone avoiding flavor enhancers, that matters more than it might seem, since many store-bought broths and seasoning packets sneak in additives that are hard to spot on a label. Here, the depth of flavor comes from slowly simmering chicken with smashed garlic, quartered onion, tomatoes, and black peppercorns until the broth is rich and naturally savory all on its own. Carrots, zucchini, chayote, corn, and cabbage go in at staggered intervals so every vegetable hits the table perfectly tender rather than mushy. A handful of fresh cilantro and optional mint round out the broth with brightness that no packet could replicate. Served with lime wedges, warm corn tortillas, and a pinch of dried oregano, this is the kind of comforting, nourishing meal that tastes like it took all day — even though the ingredients list does all the heavy lifting for you.

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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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