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Caldo de Gallina

A warming Peruvian chicken and potato soup with fresh cilantro and lime. Comfort in a bowl, ready in under 40 minutes.

Total time
38 min
Servings
4
Calories
285
Protein
34g
Caldo de Gallina
comfortcozyperuvianchickentenderheartyweeknightcomfort-food-night

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb chicken breast, skin-on and bone-in
  • 1 lb yellow potatoes, medium
  • 1 whole yellow onion, medium
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, packed
  • 1 whole lime
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. 1

    Cut the onion in half lengthwise from root to tip, leaving the skin on—this keeps it intact while the broth simmers and flavors the liquid.

  2. 2

    Scrub each potato under cold water to remove dirt, then cut each one in half (or into 1.5-inch chunks if they are large) so they cook evenly.

  3. 3

    Coarsely chop the cilantro (stems and leaves together) and set it aside in a small bowl for later.

  4. 4

    Place the chicken, potatoes, and onion halves in a 6-quart pot and cover with 8 cups of cold water, then add 1 teaspoon of salt.

  5. 5

    Bring the water to a boil over high heat—you'll see large bubbles rolling rapidly across the surface, about 8–10 minutes.

  6. 6

    Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently (small bubbles breaking the surface) for 25 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and pulls away easily from the bone.

  7. 7

    Remove the chicken to a cutting board and let it cool for 2 minutes, then shred the meat into bite-size pieces, discarding skin and bones.

  8. 8

    Pour the broth through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl, discarding the onion and keeping the potatoes in the pot.

  9. 9

    Return the strained broth and shredded chicken to the pot with the potatoes and stir once to combine.

  10. 10

    Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice directly into the pot, then stir gently.

  11. 11

    Taste the broth and add a pinch more salt if needed, then ladle into bowls and scatter a generous handful of chopped cilantro on top of each.

Tools you’ll need

  • 6-quart pot with lid
  • cutting board
  • chef's knife
  • fine-mesh strainer
  • large bowl
  • wooden spoon
  • ladle
  • small bowl

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