Sopa de Fideo con Pollo (Toasted Noodle Soup with Chicken)
Golden toasted vermicelli simmered in a tomato and chilli chicken broth with shredded chicken, a cosy Mexican family soup.
Made with Salsa roja (cooked red salsa) 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
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £4.39 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. Add the broken fideo and stir for 3 to 4 minutes until deep golden. Watch it closely as it burns fast.
4 min - 2
Stir in the salsa roja (see the base recipe) and cook for 2 minutes until it bubbles and darkens slightly.
2 min - 3
Pour in the Mexican chicken caldo (see the base recipe), add the carrot and bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes.
5 min - 4
Add the courgette and pollo deshebrado (see the base recipe) and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until the noodles are tender and the chicken is steaming hot all the way through.
4 min 30 s - 5
Season with salt. Ladle into bowls and top with avocado and coriander. Serve with lime wedges.
Tips
- Toasting the fideo gives the soup its nutty flavour. Do not skip it.
- Fideo continues to absorb broth, so serve straight away or add water when reheating.
- Use broken spaghetti or vermicelli nests if you cannot find fideo.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour. Keeps up to 2 days in the fridge; the noodles will swell so add water when reheating until boiling hot all the way through.
Questions
What is fideo?
Fideo is a thin Mexican noodle similar to vermicelli, toasted in oil before cooking in soups.
Is this gluten free?
No, pasta contains wheat. For a gluten free version use gluten free vermicelli, which still toasts well, and check the caldo is gluten free.
Is it spicy?
It is mild. The salsa roja adds gentle chilli warmth. Stir in extra salsa for more heat.
More made with salsa roja (cooked red salsa)
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.