Pollo en Caldillo de Jitomate (Chicken in Light Tomato Sauce)
Chicken and potatoes simmered in a light, smoky tomato and chilli broth, simple home cooking.
Made with Tortilla soup base. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.74 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
Season the chicken with salt. Heat the oil in a large pan and brown the thighs for 4 minutes per side.
8 min - 2
Pour in your ready made tortilla soup base (see the base recipe) and bring to a simmer.
- 3
Add the potatoes, cover and cook for 20 minutes.
20 min - 4
Add the courgettes and cook for 10 minutes, until everything is tender and the chicken is cooked all the way through.
10 min - 5
Sprinkle with coriander and serve with lime wedges and rice or tortillas.
Tips
- Brown the chicken first for deeper flavour.
- The sauce should be soupy, not thick. This is a caldillo, a light broth.
- Serve with rice to soak up the sauce.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What is a caldillo?
A caldillo is a light sauce or small broth, usually tomato based, in which meat and vegetables are simmered.
Can I use chicken breast?
Yes. Add it later and cook for only 15 minutes so it stays moist.
Is it spicy?
It is smoky and mild. Add chilli flakes if you want more heat.
More made with tortilla soup base
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.