Here are 5 of the absolute best Cuban chicken soup recipes. Also called sopa de pollo these comforting Cuban soup recipes are loaded with tender chicken, soft Fideo noodles, tender vegetables in an intensely flavored homemade broth boasting traditional Cuban flavors.
Cuban food and Cuban cooking is some of the tastiest, most comforting food out there. So, it’s not surprising that Cuban chicken soup recipes or sopa de pollo are loved by so many people all over the world.
Cuban style chicken soup is an intensely flavored Cuban chicken noodle soup loaded with delicious homemade chicken stock, Fidelini noodles (or Fideo) and vegetables.
As a result, we wanted to share some Cuban chicken soup recipes with you that are easy to make, taste delicious, warm your soul, and are guaranteed to remind you of your Abuela’s delicious soups and home cooking.
In fact, these recipes are so good they may even be better than your (gasp) Abuela’s Cuban chicken soup recipe that you grew up eating.
Cuban food is all about simplicity and delicious flavors infused from using fresh ingredients whenever possible. And, these Cuban chicken soup recipes are no exception!
Cuban chicken soup recipes can be found all over Cuba and for many, they are one of those meaningful meals that they remember from childhood.
Sure, they tend to vary a little from household to household, but generally, Cuban chicken soup recipes involve creating a flavorful homemade chicken broth that is infused with a variety of flavors from garlic cloves, bone-in chicken pieces, tomato paste, bay leaf, green onions, lemon juice, Sazon and cilantro.
Depending on the recipe, some Cuban chicken soup recipes can even include turmeric and teaspoon saffron for gorgeous flavor and color.
Most Cuban chicken soup recipes are loaded with Fideo noodles (thin noodles like angel hair pasta) and hearty vegetables like bell pepper, potato, carrot, corn cobs, calabaza (pumpkin), and plantain.
Are you hungry yet? Cuban chicken soup recipes are incredibly easy to make either in the slow cooker, in a large pot on the stovetop or even in an electric pressure cooker like an Instant Pot.
Here are 7 Abuela approved versions of this comforting home-style soup that are guaranteed to seriously level up your chicken soup game.
Cuban Chicken Soup Ingredients
- Chicken (traditionally made with bone-in chicken pieces but chicken breast works fine too)
- Olive Oil
- Garlic cloves (or if you are like us many cloves garlic)
- Large onion (yellow or white)
- Corn cobs
- Root vegetables: carrot, potato, sweet potatoes
- Calabaza (pumpkin, squash)
- Sweet potato
- Plantain
- Celery
- Seasonings (chicken bouillon, Sazon, salt, black pepper, oregano, cumin, turmeric, bay leaf)
- Water
- Lemon juice
- Red pepper flakes
- Fideo noodles (thin pasta like angel hair works fine too. Fideo or Fidelini can be found in the international aisle of your local grocery store)
Cuban Chicken Soup Recipes – Easy, Tasty and Abuela Approved!
Sopa De Pollo Con Fideos
This delicious recipe for Sopa De Pollo Con Fideos is simple yet delicious. Alejandra de Nava suggests blending ripe tomatoes, garlic, onion, achiote paste, cumin and curry into a rich base for the soup that adds loads of intense flavors.
Next, add 10 or so bone-in chicken pieces (dark or white meat works fine)along with a medium carrot, 12ish cups cold water, a medium onion, celery and boil on medium-high heat until chicken is cooked and falling off the bone.
Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the pot and shred using two forks. Meanwhile, cook your Fideo pasta in the broth until soft.
Return shredded chicken to the pot along with fresh cilantro allow the mixture to cook on low for a few minutes longer. Serve topped with chopped fresh onions, more chopped fresh cilantro and sliced serrano peppers if you like some heat!
Classic Cuban Chicken Soup Recipe
This delicious Cuban style chicken soup recipe comes to us from Coco and Ash. Mindy’s recipe is delicious and really quite simple to make. But, it does take at least an hour to prepare so do plan ahead!
Place chicken thighs, Sazon seasoning (check out this homemade Sazon mix to make your own or skip altogether), salt, onion, carrots, tomato sauce and chicken broth (homemade or chicken bouillon) in a pot to create a flavorful and rich stock that you’ll use to cook your Fideo noodles (thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta work well too).
Serve with a lemon wedge, coriander and a sprinkle of hot sauce if you’re a fan of spice! We love a little drizzle of lime juice for some extra depth of flavor.
Instant Pot Cuban Noodle Soup
If you want a more hands-off approach to your Cuban chicken soup recipe, it’s hard to beat this really easy and great recipe for Cuban style chicken noodle soup that’s made in an Instant Pot (electric pressure cooker) from Mama’s On A Budget.
Since it’s an Instant Pot recipe it does require a little work upfront. But, once you’ve chopped and prepped your ingredients you can put together your Cuban chicken soup in just a few minutes.
After sauteeing your carrots, potatoes and onions with a little olive oil you add in some shredded chicken (we recommend using a store bought rotisserie chicken to make things easy), chicken broth, tomato paste and seasonings. After 6 minutes on manual and 5 minutes natural release you flip the valve to release any remaining pressure.
Finally, you add in your Fideo noodles (or spaghetti) and lemon juice and let everything cook together.
tip* cook the pasta on sautee until just al dente. The pasta will continue cooking as it sits in the Instant Pot on warm or as it cools off.
Julie’s Cuban Chicken Noodle Soup
Julie from Cooked By Julie hits a home run with this delicious and satisfying version of Cuban chicken noodle soup. What makes Julie’s recipe unique is her use of a sofrito to really boost the flavor her broth. She also suggests topping your soup with some lime juice and hot sauce if you enjoy spice!
Julie suggests serving her Cuban chicken noodle soup with a Cuban sandwich or a grilled cheese to really round it out as a meal. This is one of those good recipes that makes loads of leftovers that you can enjoy for a few days. It’s the perfect solution when you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal idea.
Cuban Chicken Noodle Soup With Ham
This sopa de pollo from Alberto at El Toque Boricua is a unique twist on a more traditional Cuban noodle soup recipe. Alberto makes his version with bone-in chicken and small bite-size pieces of ham (he suggests you get bone-in chicken thighs, leg and drumsticks to make this dish because breast is too dry).
He sets his savory broth to medium heat and allows the broth to cook the chicken, potatoes and corn cobs. Once everything is cooked he adds in his Fideo and allows the noodles to cook through for a few minutes.
Loaded with flavor, tender soft chicken and delicious chunks of potatoes and corn this is one of the best chicken noodle soup recipes you’ll make.
Final Thoughts On Cuban Chicken Soup Recipes
Cuban chicken soup recipes (aka Sopa de Pollo) are the perfect way to warm up on a chilly day. With 5 different versions of chicken noodle soup there is something for everyone!
Not only is Cuban style chicken noodle soup delicious, it’s packed with protein and fiber and is very budget friendly as well.
Whether you enjoy Cuban chicken noodle soup as a stand alone meal or with other delicious Cuban food classics like tostones (fried plantains) and arepas (corn pancakes) there’s no doubt your family is going to love these easy recipes!
We hope you liked these recipes and plan to try them soon! And if you do , please drop us a line. We’d love to hear what you think!
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