Hervido de Pollo
Colombian Chicken Soup
A light, restorative, and deeply flavorful chicken soup, a staple in Colombian households, perfect for a comforting meal or when feeling under the weather.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg (about 2.2 lbs) Whole chicken or chicken pieces(Bone-in pieces like thighs and drumsticks work well for flavor.)
- 3 liters (about 12 cups) Water(Or enough to generously cover the chicken and vegetables.)
- 1 large Aromatics(Such as a large onion, quartered, and 2-3 cloves garlic, smashed.)
- Assorted Hearty vegetables(Such as 2-3 potatoes (peeled and quartered), 2-3 carrots (peeled and cut into chunks), 1-2 plantains (peeled and cut into large pieces), and optional corn on the cob (cut into sections).)
- To taste Salt
- To taste Black pepper
- 1 large bunch Fresh cilantro(About half for the broth, half for garnish.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the broth base: In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken pieces, quartered onion, smashed garlic cloves, and about half of the fresh cilantro (tied together with kitchen twine for easy removal). Add the water, ensuring the chicken is fully submerged. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Skim and simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it simmer gently. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during the first 15-20 minutes of simmering. This ensures a clear broth. Continue to simmer for about 45 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and release its flavor.
⏱️ 45 minutes - 3
Add the hearty vegetables: Add the potatoes, carrots, plantains, and corn (if using) to the pot. Ensure they are submerged in the broth. Continue to simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 25-30 minutes more. The chicken should be very tender and falling off the bone.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 4
Season and finish: Remove the large pieces of aromatics (onion, garlic) and the bunch of cilantro. Taste the broth and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. If desired, you can shred some of the chicken meat and return it to the pot, or serve it whole.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls, ensuring each serving gets a good portion of chicken and vegetables. Garnish generously with freshly chopped cilantro.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a clearer broth, ensure you skim off impurities diligently in the initial simmering stage.
- ✓This soup is known for its restorative properties, making it ideal when feeling unwell.
- ✓The combination of chicken and root vegetables provides a hearty yet light meal.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add cooked noodles (like spaghetti or egg noodles) to the soup bowls before serving.
- Serve with a side of white rice, or add cooked rice directly to the soup.
- Include other root vegetables like yuca or arracacha for added texture and flavor.