Caldo de Galinha com Gengibre e Limão
A comforting and flavorful chicken soup, enhanced with the zesty notes of ginger and lemon, often prepared for its nourishing properties.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Whole chicken(cut into pieces)
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
- 5 cm Fresh ginger(grated)
- 2 large Lemons(juiced, plus wedges for serving)
- 400 g Tomatoes(crushed or diced)
- 2 liters Water or chicken broth
- 2 Bay leaves
- Salt(to taste)
- Black pepper(to taste)
- 1 Optional: Scotch bonnet pepper(whole, for heat)
- Optional: Fresh cilantro or parsley(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté the onions and garlic in a little oil until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 2
Add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides.
- 3
Stir in the grated ginger, crushed tomatoes, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and the optional scotch bonnet pepper.
💡 Tip: If using scotch bonnet, be careful not to break it open too early if you want less heat. - 4
Pour in the water or chicken broth, ensuring the chicken is submerged. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the chicken is tender.
💡 Tip: Skim off any foam that rises to the surface during the initial boiling. - 5
Remove the chicken pieces from the pot. If desired, shred the meat from the bones and return it to the soup. Discard bones and skin.
💡 Tip: This step is optional; you can also leave the chicken pieces whole. - 6
Stir in the lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
💡 Tip: Add lemon juice at the end to preserve its fresh flavor. - 7
Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley and lemon wedges on the side.
💡 Tip: This soup is excellent served with rice or crusty bread.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer broth, you can use chicken stock instead of water.
- ✓Adjust the amount of ginger and lemon to your preference.
- ✓If you don't have fresh ginger, you can use 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, but fresh is recommended for best flavor.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or sweet potatoes during the last 30 minutes of simmering.
- For a spicier kick, add more scotch bonnet or a pinch of cayenne pepper.