Pregnancy Friendly Caldo de Pollo

Total time1 hr 30 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time1 hr 10 min

4.7

(29)

Few things feel more nourishing than a big pot of slow-simmered chicken and vegetable soup, and this one delivers exactly the kind of wholesome, restorative meal that feels tailor-made for pregnancy cravings. The broth builds its depth naturally from bone-in chicken, tomatoes, garlic, and onion — no store-bought shortcuts or mystery additives to second-guess. A generous lineup of vegetables, including carrots, zucchini, chayote, corn, and cabbage, means you're loading up on fiber and nutrients in every single bowl. The recipe also calls for cooking the chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F, which is exactly the food-safety benchmark that matters most right now. Skimming the foam early in the process keeps the broth clean and light, while the long, gentle simmer coaxes out a richness that feels deeply satisfying without being heavy. A squeeze of lime and a warm corn tortilla on the side round it out into a complete, comforting meal that's as easy to love as it is to make.

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Ingredients

6 servings

3 lb bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or a mix)
Ingredient note
Cook all poultry thoroughly when pregnant.
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)
Can be omitted
dried oregano

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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