Let’s be clear.. this is NOT your typical Caribbean style soup, but you’ll be amazed at how simple and tasty this is. Especially on those days when you’re drained or your suffering from the flu and your stomach can’t accommodate anything heavy. Kieana, our eldest daughter has been sick with flu like symptoms the past few days, so she called me from school and asked if I could make up a batch of my special Chicken soup for her. This is a hit in our home whenever anyone is sick. Unlike me who prefers extra spicy foods when I’m not feeling well, our girls like it a bit more simple.
I should also mention that the recipe below makes enough for about 4-5 people, but all remainder can be stored in a freezer bowl and frozen for another time (keeps for about 2 months). We’ve got some portion-sized bowls that we use to freeze leftovers, so on those days we’re tired.. we pop it in the microwave and we’ve got a hot, homemade meal. All you need then is some good French bread and butter. My Trinbagonian friends would probably prefer a couple hops bread or coconut bake for sure.
Note: If you like spicy, you can easily learn from my way of enjoying this soup. When I serve myself, I usually add a bit of pepper sauce, a few drops of soy sauce and if I have any.. some shredded shado beni or cilantro.
You’ll Need…
1 chicken breast (boneless | skinless)
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 stalk celery
1 scallion
3 cloves garlic sliced thin
2 sprigs thyme
1 carrot (peeled / sliced)
1 onion diced
3 medium potatoes (1/2 inch cubes)
4 cups chicken broth
egg noodles or pasta
salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup frozen corn and/or peas (optional)
The first thing we’ll do is cook the chicken breast, so it can cool and make it easier for us to shred. Do so by putting a deep pot on medium heat and place the butter and olive oil to heat. Then add the chicken breast (make sure it’s dry) and cook on low/medium heat for about 15-20 minutes, depending on how thick the breast is. Be sure to flip every 4-5 minutes or so, to cook evenly.
As this cooks, lets prepare the vegetables that will go into the soup.
The chicken should be cooked all the way through by now. Remove from the pot and put aside to cool. Now in the same pot, turn the heat up to medium and add the onion, garlic and celery. Cook that for about 4 minutes, then add the carrots, scallion and potato… stir around. Allow that to cook for a couple minutes, before adding the thyme, black pepper and chicken broth.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes.
All the vegetables should now be tender. It’s time to add the chicken. Using a fork (I used my fingers) pull away on the chicken breast to shred it into small pieces (see picture below). This is when I usually add my egg noodles or any pasta I have in the cupboard. I just grab a handful and add to the pot. As well as frozen peas or corn to the pot as well.
Since I used chicken broth that’s already a bit salty and I don’t like a lot of salt, I usually never have to add any salt to my dish. However, this is the time to check to see if there’s enough salt for your liking. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, just enough time for the pasta to cook.
Give this one a try the next time you need something light and energy boasting and be sure to leave me your comments and variations in the comments box below. I’d love to hear from you.
This is one of the best chicken recipes ever. It’s very tasteful and beautiful to play. Thanks for the recipe.
Chris, Why not even a hint of a pepper in this soup?
Hi Chris
Just getting over a cold. I must THANK YOU for this recipes for soup. this was great The taste and the flavor help a great deal it was really worth laying in the bed for a 2 day stay. My family enjoyed the rest and enjoyed the chicken beast even more.
Thanks
Wicked soup when feeling rough!
Very nice and fast too! Thanks Chris!
We enjoyed this soup. Thanks Chris. You are awesome.
This soup is very similar to how I prepare it and for the same reasons, it is not only good for the soul but definitely good for what ails you.
I make two minor additions: chile, not hot,perhaps a toasted and peeled poblano, or regular New Mexico (asa Anahiem) the chile is for flavor but can/might have a bit of heat. sweating through a steaming bowl of hot chicken soup and the sweat it produces is good for what ails you. Canned chile is ok in a pinch but be careful to not get diced jalapeños they are hot by design..
The only other item I put in the pot is a small handful of rinsed quinoa. I lived in Peru while in the Peace Corps and also married my wife of 44 years who is from Cuzco and quinoa was a part of so many soups it was essential, not a whole lot but some.
yum yum yum
Hello Chris, I love your recipes very much and a huge fun of Caribbean pot. For this recipe I would like to inquire if one does not have chicken broth what can one substitute it with?
water, veg stock.. even a package of those noodle soups you find at the grocery store.
This chicken soup sounds very tastey as like you I like it spicy I will add hot sauce at the end. I certainly try this. Thanks Chris
By the way Chris I love, love your recipes,I am a fan of all of them and use them regularly,and I e-mail them to my friends and family. Thanks for helping me to cook delicious food,and keeping my family very happy.
Chris,I often see in your recipes you use Shado Beni,and you call it Cilantro/ Culantro,which one is it?. I know Culantro as the broader leaf herb,and cilantro as the finer leaf herb.They have two different flavours with cilantro being the stronger flavoured. Can I actually use any one?
Can u use the cock flavored soup mix in this recipe chris?
Hi Diana, yes you can use the cock flavored soup.
Hi Chris
If we don't have chicken broth, what can we use to substitute?
Hey Ally, you can just use plain old water and add some bouillons if you have any, if not just season the soup with some extra salt and pepper, it will still taste good. Chris has some good recipes. so even without the broth it should be fine.
This is a great soup,I have to ad a scotch bonnet because I grow them.The only other change I make is to poach the chicken breast ( whole breast with bones ) and use the liquid as some of my stock.
Thanks Chris for this recipe.Soups are always a good choice of food when we wish to eat light.
Chris, this makes me feel really hungry. To me a soup is not a soup with out dumplings. I will try it soon. Looks so yummy.
Chris, MIne is similar, but I add one medium Tomato sliced, and 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of curry powder.
great chicken soup recipe, I will try to cook it at home 🙂
i came across this website today more or less by accident and i must say i'm really loving these recipies some i'm familiar with .i now options for lunches and dinners cant wait to try some of these
its really delicious!!!
this is good suol food but ill beglad to get some rescipes for my diet, because i was in the hospital
Chris, the soup was delicious,I always like to try your recipes all I add to this was some dumplings this was typical of the old Bajan soup.
can I add a grace soup packet to this soup?
This looks mouth watering, i can't wait to try it.hear from me soon
just try it and my family loved it
i made some Dumplins and added them at the last minute
this looks so yummy!! I cant wait to try this!
Lovely soup Chris, I made this after seeing your post and it turned out great. I just to – I added a couple green bananas 🙂
Glad it turned out well for you.
Lovely soup Chris, I made this after seeing your post and it turned out great. I just to – I added a couple green bananas 🙂
And just a little scotch bonnet doesn't go a miss either!
Carole, now you're talking. In true Caribbean style.. pepper finds it's way in almost everything I cook.