Chicken Sopas
Ingredients
- 12 oz. chicken breast
- ½ piece cabbage
- 3 stalks celery
- 1 piece onion
- 3 pieces hotdog
- ¾ cups carrots
- 12 oz. evaporated milk
- 1 ½ cups elbow macaroni
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 piece chicken stock cube
- 6 to 8 cups water
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- salt add to taste
- ground black pepper add to taste
Instructions
- In a medium pot, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Add the chicken breasts. Cover and cook over medium heat for 15 to 18 minutes. Add more water if necessary. Once done, remove the chicken from the water, let it cool, and shred it. Set aside both the shredded chicken and the water.
- Heat oil in a large soup pot. Sauté garlic until it turns medium brown. Add onion, celery, and carrot. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the shredded chicken and stir for 1 minute. Then, add the hot dog and pour in the water used to boil the chicken along with any remaining water. Let it boil. Add the Knorr Chicken Cube, stir, cover, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Put the elbow macaroni in the pot and cook for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the cabbage and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. If needed, add more water.
- Pour in the evaporated milk, stir, let it boil, cover, and cook for another 3 minutes. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
- Transfer the soup to a serving bowl and enjoy
Details Behind My Chicken Sopas Recipe
Chicken Sopas Recipe – As stated, Chicken Sopas is a type of noodle soup dish featuring macaroni and chicken. However, there is more to the dish. Chicken Sopas is a creamy macaroni soup loaded with boneless chicken, veggies like celery, carrots, and cabbage, all simmered in evaporated milk. It’s a clever way to sneak in veggies for kids. This comforting dish is perfect for those struggling with solids or feeling under the weather. Its roots date back to the American colonial period, inspired by chicken noodle soup. Varieties may feature potatoes, green peas, or corned beef. Despite recipe differences, chicken sopas remains a beloved comfort food in Filipino culture.
Additional Notes on My Chicken Sopas Recipe
If you want better results with the dish, there are different tips to help. To enhance the flavor of Chicken Sopas, begin by simmering the chicken with aromatics until tender, then returning the bones to the pot for an additional 30 minutes to an hour for a richer taste. Cooking the macaroni directly in the soup adds starch to thicken the broth, but if you prefer a thinner consistency, simply add water and adjust seasonings accordingly.
Healthwise, there is a lot to gain from the dish as well. Eating Chicken Sopas offers various health benefits due to its nutritious ingredients. The macaroni provides essential carbohydrates for sustained energy throughout the day. Additionally, chicken is rich in Vitamin B, supporting the immune and digestive systems while serving as a lean protein source. Opting for white meat reduces fat intake, and removing the skin further decreases fat content. Chicken also contains tryptophan, which can contribute to improved mood and overall well-being.
Dishes Similar to Chicken Sopas
There is a variety of Filipino soup dishes featuring chicken. One dish that is similar to chicken sopas is chicken sotanghon. Chicken Sotanghon Soup is a Filipino take on chicken noodle soup, made with shredded chicken, sotanghon noodles, carrots, cabbage, roasted garlic, scallions, and fish sauce seasoning.
What is sotanghon? Sotanghon, also referred to as cellophane noodles, are transparent noodles crafted from starch and water, with variations made from mung bean, potato, sweet potato, tapioca, or canna starch. In Chinese cuisine, they are known as fensi.
Other Noodle Soup Options
If you want to try another type of chicken and noodle dish, there is Pancit Molo. Pancit Molo is a noodle soup from Molo district in Iloilo, Philippines. Chinese immigrants introduced it and was originally similar to Wonton Soup. Over time, it has evolved to include shredded chicken and local spices, giving it a distinct flavor. One of its distinguishing features is the toasted garlic sprinkled on top. Unlike typical pancit dishes, Pancit Molo uses Molo wrappers instead of noodles, which add both texture and flavor. These wrappers, filled with a tasty mixture, are torn into bits to thicken the broth.
Another noodle soup option is Batchoy. Batchoy, also called batsoy, is a flavorful noodle soup with a rich background. This Filipino favorite combines chicken stock, pork offal, pork cracklings, beef, and noodles for a satisfying meal. Typically, it includes seasoned pork offal cooked with the broth, which adds a delicious aroma and flavor to the dish.
Alternative Options for Noodle Dishes
In addition noodle soup dishes, there is a variety of dry noodle dishes to try as well. One classic dish is pancit bihon. Pancit bihon is a popular dish made with thin rice noodles stir-fried with chicken or pork and veggies. Traditionally, calamansi is used to boost its flavor. Noodles, brought by Chinese immigrants, are now a Filipino staple, adapting to local tastes. Some variations, like pancit buko, skip noodles and use coconut strips, young papaya, and more. For vegans, tofu can replace meat for a cruelty-free option. If you wish to try this, you should check out Vegan Pancit.
Alternatively, you can go for Filipino spaghetti. Filipino spaghetti is a bit different from the regular kind. Unlike classic spaghetti with its savory tomato sauce, Filipino spaghetti has a sweet taste, thanks to banana ketchup. It’s often served with cheese and sliced hotdog for a unique flavor. This sweet sauce pairs well with the toppings. If you don’t eat meat, there are meatless and even vegan versions available for a healthier choice.
To conclude, there are all kinds of noodle dishes you can try in Filipino cuisine featuring different ingredients and variants. If you want to try even more noodle dishes, there is Chicken Mami. You can also try an alternative version of this dish like Batsui.
