Caldo Tlalpeno (Chicken, Chickpea and Chipotle Soup)
A classic Mexico City soup of chicken, chickpeas and vegetables in a smoky chipotle tomato broth.
Made with Chipotle in adobo sauce (homemade) and Tortilla soup base. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £5.40 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Pour your ready made tortilla soup base (see the base recipe) into a large pot with your ready made chipotle adobo sauce (see the base recipe) and bring to a simmer.
- 2
Add the chicken and carrots, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
20 min - 3
Add the chickpeas and green beans and simmer for 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through.
10 min - 4
Season with salt and a squeeze of lime.
- 5
Ladle into bowls and top with avocado, queso fresco, coriander and lime wedges.
Tips
- Start with half the chipotle adobo and add more to taste, it gets hotter as it sits.
- Add the green beans late to keep them bright.
- A spoon of the base chipotle adobo sauce can be added at the table for extra heat.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months without the avocado and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Is caldo Tlalpeno spicy?
It is moderately spicy and smoky from chipotle. Use less adobo for a milder soup.
Can I use chicken breast?
Yes. Use 500 g and simmer for 15 minutes so it stays tender.
Can I make it dairy free?
Yes. Leave out the queso fresco. Everything else is dairy free.
More made with chipotle in adobo sauce (homemade)
Nachos con Queso Chipotle (Smoky Cheese Nachos)
GFEFNFTostadas de Atun Sellado con Aguacate y Chipotle (Seared Tuna Tostadas)
GFDFEFAlbondigas al Chipotle (Meatballs in Smoky Chipotle Sauce)
GFNFTostadas de Atun con Chipotle (Chipotle Tuna Tostadas)
GFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.