Low Sugar Paleo Mexican Chicken Soup (Caldo de Pollo)
This soul-warming Mexican chicken soup is built entirely from whole, unprocessed ingredients — bone-in chicken, garden vegetables, and a fragrant broth seasoned with garlic, cumin, and dried chiles. Every drop of flavor comes from the long, slow simmer rather than from any sweetened sauces, flavor packets, or store-bought broths that often sneak added sugars into otherwise clean recipes. The chayote squash, zucchini, carrots, and celery all cook down into something deeply satisfying, soaking up that golden, herb-laced broth in the best possible way. Shredding the chicken directly back into the pot means every spoonful is loaded with tender meat and hearty vegetables. A squeeze of fresh lime and a handful of crisp radishes at the table add brightness without any sweeteners whatsoever. It's the kind of bowl that feels restorative and rich without a single ingredient you'd need to second-guess.
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Learn more →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 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 3 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch rounds
- 2 medium zucchini, cut into 1-inch half-moons
- 1 chayote squash, peeled, pitted, and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 celery stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1 serrano or jalapeño pepper, halved (seeds removed for mild heat)
For serving
- lime wedges, for serving (optional)
- sliced radishes, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the chicken pieces in a large 6–8 qt pot 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, bay leaves, serrano pepper, cumin, 2 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover partially, and simmer for 30 minutes.
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