Caldo Tlalpeño (Chipotle Chicken and Chickpea Soup)
A smoky, gently spicy Mexico City soup of shredded chicken, chickpeas, carrots and courgette, served with avocado and lime.
Made with Chipotle in adobo sauce (homemade) and Mexican chicken stock (caldo de pollo) and Shredded chicken (pollo deshebrado). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £4.30 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
Heat the oil in a large pot over a medium heat. Cook the onion for 4 minutes until soft, then add the garlic for 30 seconds.
4 min 30 s - 2
Pour in your ready made caldo de pollo (see the base recipe) and stir in the chipotle in adobo sauce. Bring to a simmer.
- 3
Add the carrots and chickpeas and simmer for 10 minutes.
10 min - 4
Add the courgette and the shredded chicken and simmer for 6 minutes, until the courgette is tender and the chicken is steaming hot. Taste and add a pinch of salt.
6 min - 5
Serve in bowls topped with diced avocado, coriander and a lime wedge.
Tips
- Add the chipotle sauce a spoon at a time and taste. It brings smoke and a warm, building heat, and the amount is easy to push too far.
- Rinse tinned chickpeas well so the broth stays clear and clean tasting.
- Crumbled queso fresco on top is traditional if dairy is fine for you. The avocado already gives the creamy contrast without it.
- Traditional versions also add a sprig of epazote. If you find it fresh or dried in a Mexican food shop, add it with the courgette.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days without the avocado, which should be added fresh. Cool within 1 to 2 hours, freeze for up to 2 months, and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
How spicy is caldo tlalpeño?
Medium and smoky. Use 2 tablespoons of chipotle sauce for gentle warmth or the full 80 ml for a proper kick. Serve with extra on the side.
Is it gluten free and dairy free?
Yes, if your caldo is homemade or from a gluten free stock and you do not add queso fresco. Check the label if you use shop-bought chipotles in adobo, as a few contain wheat.
What is the difference from a normal chicken soup?
Caldo tlalpeño is built around the smoky chipotle and chickpeas, with avocado on top. It is named after Tlalpan in Mexico City and sits somewhere between a clear broth and a hearty main.
More made with chipotle in adobo sauce (homemade)
Double 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.