Xanthan Gum Free 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 cumin, garlic, and dried bay leaves. There's no need for packaged thickeners or stabilizers here; the slow simmer draws natural body and richness straight from the chicken bones, making the broth deeply satisfying on its own. Carrots, zucchini, chayote, and celery are added in stages so every vegetable hits the bowl at just the right tenderness, and the shredded chicken folds back into that golden broth for a hearty, complete meal. A handful of fresh cilantro stirred in at the end brightens everything up, while optional lime wedges and sliced radishes let each person customize their bowl at the table. It's the kind of recipe that proves comfort food doesn't need any shortcuts or additives to taste like it's been simmering all day — because it basically has.
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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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