Caldo Tlalpeño (Smoky Chicken and Chickpea Soup)
A smoky chipotle chicken broth with chickpeas, carrots and courgette, finished with avocado and a spoonful of crema.
Made with Chipotle in adobo sauce (homemade) and Lime crema (Mexican soured cream sauce) and Mexican chicken stock (caldo de pollo). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.85 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 caldo de pollo (see the base recipe) into a large pan and bring to a simmer.
- 2
Stir in your ready made chipotle adobo sauce (see the base recipe) and the carrots. Simmer for 8 minutes.
8 min - 3
Add the chicken breast whole and poach for 12 minutes until cooked through. Remove, shred with two forks and return to the pan.
12 min - 4
Add the chickpeas and courgette and simmer for 5 minutes until tender.
5 min - 5
Season with salt and lime juice. Ladle into bowls.
- 6
Top with diced avocado, coriander and a spoonful of your ready made lime crema (see the base recipe) per bowl, with lime wedges.
Tips
- Add the chipotle slowly. It can be fierce.
- Do not boil the soup after adding the courgette, or it turns mushy.
- Add the avocado just before serving so it keeps its colour.
Storing and freezing
Soup keeps 3 days in the fridge and freezes for 2 months without the garnishes. Reheat until steaming hot throughout.
Questions
How hot is caldo tlalpeño?
Medium. The chipotle gives smoke and gentle heat, and the crema cools it.
Can I use dried chickpeas?
Yes, soak and cook 150 g first until tender, then proceed.
Can I skip the avocado?
Yes, though it adds richness. Add extra crema or a squeeze of lime instead.
More made with chipotle in adobo sauce (homemade)
Costillitas Glaseadas con Chipotle y Piloncillo (Chipotle Glazed Pork Ribs)
GFDFEFTorta de Milanesa con Mayonesa de Chipotle (Breaded Chicken Sandwich)
DFNFChuletas de Borrego al Chipotle con Frijoles (Chipotle Lamb Chops with Beans)
GFDFEFQuesadillas de Atún con Chipotle (Tuna and Chipotle Quesadillas)
EFNFDouble 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.