Sopa Verde de Pollo (Green Chicken and Vegetable Soup)
A bright, tangy green soup of chicken, courgette and chickpeas in Mexican chicken broth, finished with avocado and lime.
Made with Green enchilada sauce and Mexican chicken stock (caldo de pollo). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.95 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 pan over a medium heat. Cook the carrot for 4 minutes.
4 min - 2
Pour in your ready made Mexican chicken stock (see the base recipe) and 300 ml of your ready made green enchilada sauce (see the base recipe). Bring to a simmer.
- 3
Add the chicken and chickpeas and simmer gently for 8 minutes.
8 min - 4
Add the courgette and simmer for 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through with no pink and the courgette is just tender.
5 min - 5
Stir in the lime juice and taste for salt. Ladle into bowls and top with avocado and coriander.
Tips
- Dice the chicken small so it cooks quickly and stays tender.
- Add the lime juice at the end. Cooking it dulls the fresh flavour.
- Add a handful of cooked rice or a few torn tortilla strips for a heartier bowl.
- For extra heat float a few slices of fresh jalapeño on top.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour, keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Freeze without the avocado for up to 2 months.
Questions
Can I use cooked chicken?
Yes. Add 450 g shredded cooked chicken for the last 4 minutes just to heat through.
Can I use turkey?
Yes. Diced turkey breast or leftover roast turkey works in the same way.
Is the soup spicy?
It is mild to medium. The green sauce is tangy rather than hot.
Is it gluten free and dairy free?
Yes, as long as the broth and the sauce were made with gluten free stock. There is no dairy in the soup.
More made with green enchilada sauce
Enchiladas Verdes de Calabacita y Elote (Courgette and Corn Green Enchiladas)
EFNFTamales de Puerco en Salsa Verde (Pork Tamales in Green Sauce)
GFDFEFEnchiladas Verdes de Camaron (Green Prawn Enchiladas)
EFNFQuesadillas de Cordero con Salsa Verde
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.