Whether it’s a rainy day or warm weather, a serving of Chicken sopas will surely warm your soul!
This delightful soup is our go-to comfort food. Not only is it easy to cook, it’s filled with healthy ingredients that will surely make you feel good inside, especially when you feel under the weather.
I remember my elementary school days, our school canteen menu for the week wouldn’t be complete without this creamy chicken sopas. A 10-pesos serving in a small container will fill me up on my recess break, and the warmth stays with me all day.
So everytime I cook this comforting soup, it will always be nostalgic! It will always bring back those cherished memories and make my heart feel like a happy trip down memory lane.
Enough with the throwback, let me share with you how I recreate that 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?
Prepare Ingredients
Chop veggies (carrots, celery, cabbage), slice hotdogs, and dice onion and garlic. Boil the chicken breast with a chicken cube and put aside the chicken broth.Shred once cooled.
Sauté Onion and Garlic
In a pot, sauté diced onion, celery, carrots, and garlic with butter until they’re fragrant and translucent. Add a splash of fish sauce, followed by the chicken broth and water. Drop in an additional chicken cube to enhance the flavor profile of your soup. Allow the mixture to come to a boil, then gently stir in the macaroni. Let it simmer until the pasta is tender to the bite.
Add Veggies and Noodles
After the macaroni is tender, add the ham, hotdogs, and cabbage to the pot. Allow them to simmer in the broth until they’re tender and the flavors meld together perfectly.
Creamy Touch
It’s time for creaminess! Pour in the evaporated milk and add a bit of butter. Stir it all together until it becomes rich and comforting.
Season to Taste
Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste it and adjust the seasoning to make it just right for your taste buds.
Simmer and Serve
Let your Chicken Sopas simmer for a while. This allows all the flavors to mingle and create a delicious symphony. Once everything is cooked and oh-so-flavorful, your Chicken Sopas is ready to warm you up!
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, pop it into containers or bags, seal them up nice and tight, and throw them in the fridge. Oh, and don’t forget to do this within a couple of hours of making it.
Here’s a tip: scribble down the date on the containers so you know when you whipped up that delicious batch.
Now, for the important part – eat it up within 3-4 days. Trust me, it’s best when it’s fresh. If it’s been hanging out in the fridge for too long, the taste might not be as awesome.
And hey, if you’ve got too much or want to save some for later, freezing is an option. Stick it in freezer-friendly containers, leave a bit of space for it to stretch out, and again, date it. It can chill in the freezer for 2-3 months without losing its charm.
When you’re ready to dig in again, just let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat it on the stove or zap it in the microwave until it’s nice and warm.
Easy peasy, right? That way, your Chicken Sopas stays as tasty as the day you made it.
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!
Video
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.
