Delicious Chicken Sopas
A comforting, creamy Filipino soup made with tender chicken, macaroni, and a savory blend of vegetables and ham. This easy, hearty dish is perfect for cozy meals and stretches well for leftovers.
Ingredients
2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 to 8 ounces each)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 medium carrots, finely diced
2 celery stalks, finely diced
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
3 ounces ham steak or boiled ham, diced (about ½ cup)
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 cups macaroni
1 can (10½ ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup or 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
Chopped scallions, for garnish
Instructions
Poach the Chicken
In a large saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer.
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Add them to the simmering broth and poach until fully cooked, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let the chicken cool in the broth for 5 minutes. Remove the chicken and shred it into bite-sized pieces using your fingers or two forks. Set the shredded chicken aside and reserve the broth separately.Sauté the Vegetables and Ham
Heat the vegetable oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the diced carrots, celery, and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Stir in the diced ham and minced garlic, cooking until the garlic softens and becomes fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the fish sauce and continue cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes to blend the flavors.Cook the Soup
Pour the reserved chicken broth back into the pot along with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil.
Add the macaroni, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook, stirring frequently, until the macaroni is tender, about 6 to 7 minutes.
Stir in the cream of chicken soup (or evaporated milk) until fully combined and smooth. Add the shredded chicken and heat through.Serve
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped scallions. Serve hot.
- Pro Tip
For extra depth of flavor, try sautéing the garlic and ham in a little butter instead of vegetable oil. Also, if you like a creamier texture, add a splash of evaporated milk or heavy cream just before serving.
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