Made with chicken, pumpkin, potatoes, carrots, celery, corn and fidelini noodles, this Cuban chicken soup, or sopa de pollo, is fully loaded with goodness. We start by making a homemade chicken broth, and then we add all the delicious and good-for-you veggies.

Cuban chicken soup with noodles carrots, potatoes, pumpkin, corn and chicken served in a dark gray bowl with lime wedges and a beer mug in the background.

To add even more goodness, the soup gets its yellow color from turmeric. This Cuban chicken soup does take time to make, but if one of your loved ones is under the weather, make this soup and they will taste the love.

If you’re in the mood for more hearty, delicious soups try this Cuban-style beef soup, this ajiaco soup recipe, or this potaje de lentejas. Enjoy!

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Sopa de pollo ingredients

Chicken – Skin on and bone in assorted dark meat pieces: drums, thighs, wings
Onion – Yellow onion is best but white will also work
Garlic Cloves – Since it’s for the broth just peel and smash
Celery Ribs – We need 2 to make the broth and 1 for the soup
Carrots – 2 carrots to make the broth and 1 for the soup
Bay Leaf
Seasoning – Dried oregano, cumin, turmeric and salt (we use kosher salt)
Water – We’re making our on broth for this delicious Cuban chicken soup
Chicken Base – Better than Bouillon is my go to chicken base but if you have a favorite use that
Pumpkin – cooking pumpkin
Potato – Russet works well
Corn Cob – cut it down to roughly 1 inch rounds
Noodles – Fidelini or Fideo noodles are a thin vermicelli type noodle that comes dry and coiled, usually in a bag. They can be found at many Latin markets, or check the international aisle at regular supermarkets. In a pinch, substitute a thin noodle like vermicelli or thin spaghetti if you can’t find fidelini.

Prepare the chicken broth

Cut 2 carrots and 2 celery ribs into roughly 2-3 inch pieces. Peel and cut the onion in half or quarters. Peel the garlic and smash slightly.

Add the chicken, the prepared onion, carrots and celery, garlic cloves, bay leaf, dried oregano, cumin and water to a large pot. Make sure the pot is filled at least ¾ of the way, and that the water covers all of the ingredients.

Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, immediately lower the heat to medium to medium-low; the water should remain at a simmer.

Half-cover the pot. Simmer the chicken broth for about 90 minutes, stirring only occasionally. Using a large spoon, wooden spoon or strainer, skim off the foam and grease that rise to surface and discard. Do this the first 15-30 minutes of the cooking time; remember to half cover the pot again.

While you make the broth prep vegetables for the chicken soup

Cut the remaining carrot into rounds, half rounds or cubes, and dice the remaining celery, pumpkin, potato, and slice the corn cobs.

Remove the chicken broth from the heat. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, remove the chicken from the pot and set on a plate or sheet pan to cool. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove all meat from the bones and tear into bite sized pieces. Discard any bones, skin and cartilage.

While the chicken cools

Strain the broth: Using a large slotted spoon, remove the vegetables from the pot and discard. Strain the broth using a fine sieve. Note: I like to strain the broth twice; I strain it into a very large bowl (or two). Then I wash the pot, and strain the broth again while pouring it back into the large pot.

Prepare the noodles

Fill a large sauce pan with water and set over high heat. When the water comes to a boil add the fidelini noodles and cook to package directions. When they’re done, drain the water.

Don’t add uncooked noodles to the soup. Cook the noodles in a separate pot, then add them to the soup when they’re cooked already. This extra step prevents the noodles from absorbing all of the delicious chicken broth you spent the afternoon making!

Finish the Cuban Chicken Soup

Place the chicken broth back into a clean, large pot over medium-high heat. When the broth comes to a simmer add 1-2 tablespoons of the chicken base and the turmeric powder to the broth. Stir well until the chicken base dissolves completely.

Add the sliced carrots, celery, pumpkin, potatoes and corn cobs to the pot, cover and cook for 5-7 minutes. Bring to a boil, at about medium-high to medium heat. When the soup starts to boil, lower the heat and keep it at a simmer, uncover the pot and stir only occasionally.

Add the reserved chicken meat and the cooked noodles to the pot; stir to combine all the ingredients well. Cover and cook the soup for another 5-10 minutes until the carrots, potatoes and pumpkin are tender. Taste the soup and add salt, if needed.

Serve this fully loaded Cuban chicken soup with lots of lemons or limes, and your favorite hot sauce.

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