What You’ll Find Here?
Whether it’s a rainy day or the sun’s out, a warm bowl of chicken sopas always hits the spot!
This creamy and hearty soup is our go-to comfort food at home.
It’s super easy to make, loaded with simple and healthy ingredients.
Perfect for those days when you’re feeling a little under the weather or just want something cozy and satisfying.
I still remember back in elementary school, our canteen always had chicken sopas on the menu.
For just 10 pesos, I’d get a small container full of creamy goodness during recess, and honestly, that little bowl kept me full and happy for the rest of the day.
So every time I make chicken sopas now, I can’t help but throwback to those simpler days.
It brings back good memories and warms the heart just as much as it warms the tummy.
Alright, enough reminiscing. Let me show you how I recreate that same comforting magic in my kitchen today!
What is Sopas?
Sopas is a Filipino-style creamy chicken soup that’s known for its comforting and hearty nature.
It typically consists of chicken slices or shredded chicken, macaroni noodles, various vegetables like carrots and cabbage, and a flavorful broth made creamy with the addition of milk or evaporated milk.
It’s a popular dish in Filipino households, often enjoyed during chilly weather or when someone is feeling under the weather.
Chicken sopas should be flavorful and have a strong taste of chicken, that’s why I add chicken cubes to the broth.
The chicken cubes bring an extra punch of savory goodness, making every spoonful of the soup a delightful and satisfying experience.
I find that it intensifies the chicken essence and elevates the overall taste of the sopas.
Is sopas considered as soup?
A little trivia, the term “sopas” actually originated from the Spanish language. In Spanish, “sopas” translates to “soups” or “broths.”
So yes, sopas is considered a soup.
Why is it good for the body?
- Vitamins from Veggies: The veggies in Chicken Sopas, like carrots and cabbage, bring in loads of vitamins. These are like little helpers for your body, keeping it strong and healthy.
- Protein Power: Chicken is packed with protein. That’s the stuff that helps your muscles and body work well. So, with every spoonful of Chicken Sopas, you’re giving your body a protein boost.
- Energy from Carbs: The noodles in Sopas give you carbohydrates. Think of carbs as your body’s fuel – they help you stay active and full of energy.
- Hydration Help: The broth keeps you hydrated. Staying hydrated is super important for your body to function properly.
- Feel-Good Comfort: Beyond the nutrients, there’s something special about comfort food. Chicken Sopas is like a warm hug for your tummy, and that can make you feel happy and cozy.
Chicken Sopas Ingredients
- Elbow Macaroni: Add these small, curved pasta to make your Chicken Sopas fun and satisfying. They soak up the tasty broth, giving each spoonful that perfect pasta bite!
- Shredded Chicken Breast: Boil chicken breast in water. Then set aside the water used to boil. Use this as stock for the soup. Toss in shredded chicken for tenderness and a burst of chicken flavor in every delicious slurp of your soup.
- Hotdogs: Slice and throw in hotdogs for a savory twist that adds extra yumminess to your Sopas.
- Carrots, Celery, and Cabbage: Chop these veggies and drop them in for a crunchy and healthy mix. They bring color, sweetness, and freshness to your soup.
- Evaporated Milk and Butter: Pour in some evaporated milk and a bit of butter for creaminess that makes your Chicken Sopas rich and comforting.
- Chicken Cube: These flavor bombs enhance the chicken goodness in your soup. Just drop them in, and watch your Sopas get even more delicious!
- Onion and Garlic: Dice and sauté these for a flavor base that adds depth and a lovely aroma to your Chicken Sopas.
- Salt and Pepper: Just a pinch of each to make sure your soup is perfectly seasoned. Adjust to your taste, and voilà! Your Chicken Sopas is ready to warm hearts and tummies.
How To Cook Chicken Sopas?
1. Prepare Ingredients
Chop your vegetables like carrots, celery, and cabbage. Slice the hotdogs and dice the onion and garlic. Boil the chicken breast with one chicken cube until cooked. Set aside the broth and shred the chicken once it cools down.
2. Sauté Onion and Garlic
In a pot, melt some butter and sauté the onion, garlic, celery, and carrots until they smell good and the onions turn soft. Add a splash of fish sauce, then pour in the chicken broth and some water. Drop in another chicken cube to make the flavor even better. Bring everything to a boil, then stir in the macaroni. Let it cook until the pasta is soft.
3. Add Veggies and Noodles
Once the macaroni is tender, add the shredded chicken, sliced hotdogs, ham, and cabbage. Let everything simmer until the veggies are soft and the flavors mix well.
4. Creamy Touch
Pour in the evaporated milk and add a little more butter. Stir until the soup becomes creamy and rich.
5. Season to Taste
Add some salt and pepper. Taste and adjust until it’s just right for you.
6. Simmer and Serve
Let the sopas simmer a bit longer to let all the flavors come together. Once everything is hot and flavorful, serve it while it’s still nice and warm.
What Goes Well With Sopas?
Pandesal or Bread Rolls
Freshly baked pandesal or soft bread rolls are perfect for dipping into the creamy goodness of Chicken Sopas.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Sliced hard-boiled eggs make for a protein-packed addition, offering a satisfying bite alongside the soup.
Steamed Rice
You read it right! You can enjoy this flavorful Chicken Sopas with a side of steamed rice. It’s a classic Filipino comfort food combo. Try in and comment below what you think!
How To Store Chicken Sopas?
Once your Chicken Sopas has cooled down after cooking, transfer it into containers or resealable bags. Seal them well and place them in the fridge within two hours.
Quick tip: write the date on each container so you can keep track of how fresh it is.
Eat your stored sopas within 3 to 4 days. It’s best when it’s still fresh, and waiting too long can affect the flavor.
Got extra? You can freeze it too. Use freezer-safe containers and leave a bit of space at the top because the soup expands as it freezes. Don’t forget to label the date. Frozen Chicken Sopas will stay good for 2 to 3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just thaw it overnight in the fridge. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until it’s warm and creamy again.
That’s it. Storing and reheating Chicken Sopas is just as easy as making it.
More Rainy Day Recipes?
Craving something hearty, warm, and satisfying? Here are more Filipino comfort food favorites to try:
Chicken Tinola – A light and gingery chicken soup with green papaya and malunggay. Perfect for cold days or when you need something soothing.
Beef Nilaga – Tender beef chunks simmered with cabbage, potatoes, and corn. Mild but flavorful, and best enjoyed with a bowl of hot rice.
Sinigang na Baboy – A tangy tamarind-based soup with pork and vegetables. That asim-kilig taste is comforting and addicting.
Arroz Caldo – A thick rice porridge cooked with chicken, garlic, ginger, and fish sauce. Topped with boiled egg and fried garlic for extra comfort.
Bulalo – Beef shank soup slow-cooked until the meat falls off the bone. Rich broth, soft corn, and veggies make it a heavy yet cozy meal
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
It’s generally best not to freeze Chicken Sopas because dairy-based soups can separate and change texture upon thawing. It’s recommended to consume it fresh or refrigerate for later consumption.
Chicken Sopas is not traditionally spicy, but you can add a kick of heat by adding sliced chili peppers or a dash of hot sauce to individual servings according to taste.
To prevent the milk from curdling, add it towards the end of cooking over low heat and stir gently. Avoid boiling vigorously once the milk is added.
Absolutely! You can customize Chicken Sopas by adding more vegetables such as diced potatoes, green beans, bell peppers, or spinach. Add these vegetables according to their cooking times to ensure they are tender but not overcooked.
Chicken Sopas Recipe
Ingredients
- 60 grams Butter
- 6 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 piece Onion medium (diced)
- 2 piece Chicken Cubes
- 500 grams Chicken (shredded)
- 4 piece Celery stalks (chopped)
- 2 tbsp Fish Sauce
- 3 cups Chicken Broth
- 8 cups Water
- 250 grams Macaroni (shell)
- 1 piece Carrots large (julienne)
- 5 pieces Hotdogs (sliced)
- 250 grams Ham (cubed)
- 360 ml Evaporated Milk
- 1 piece Cabbage medium (chopped)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the chicken breast with a chicken cube and put aside the chicken broth.
- Saute garlic, onion, and celery with the butter then add the shredded chicken.
- Put the fish sauce followed by the chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil.
- When the stock boils add the macaroni and let it simmer until the shells are tender.
- Add the carrots, hotdogs, ham and chicken cube. Let it simmer.
- Add the evaporated milk, then salt and pepper to taste.
- Finally, add the cabbage and let it simmer until tender.
- Serve in a bowl and enjoy!
Watch this!
Notes
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add a bit of cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) to the soup towards the end of cooking.
