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Slow Cooker Caldo de Pollo

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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Loaded with plenty of flavor and very easy to make, my Slow Cooker Caldo de Pollo is a quick, weekday version of the Mexican comfort food classic.

Garnishing slow cooker caldo de pollo with lime juice.

One of my favorite Mexican dishes of all time is Caldo de Pollo. Filled with hearty vegetables, cubes of chicken, and a light lime-scented chicken broth, it’s a soup I’ll eat all the time, rain or shine! Since I was born in Tucson, Arizona just minutes from the Mexican border, I’ve been eating this soup since I was a baby. My father would often order our entire meal without using a single word of English. In fact, we would take frequent day trips to Mexico for lunch growing up.

Ingredients

  • Chicken broth: The perfect base to this Mexican chicken soup, it’s rich and flavorful.
  • Chicken: Traditionally made with whole chicken pieces, I decided to take another busy-mom short cut and use shredded rotisserie chicken.
  • Carrots: Adds some color and slightly sweet flavor.
  • Onion: I like to use a white or yellow onion to cook low and slow in the soup, and a fresh red onion for garnish.
  • Garlic: Aromatic, pungent, somewhat nutty flavor.
  • Lime: Bright, acidic, and fresh flavor added to the broth.
  • Toppings: Lime wedges, fresh cilantro, and sliced jalapeño all add wonderful flavor to the final dish.

How to Make Slow Cooker Caldo de Pollo

person cutting an onion

Start your caldo de pollo by dicing your onion and slicing your carrots.

To save time, a hack of mine is I like to use leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken, and shred that beforehand.

Then add the chicken, onion, and carrot to the bowl of your slow cooker, and pour in the chicken broth and lime juice.

Add your minced garlic, and season with some salt and black pepper. Stir to combine, then put on the lid and cook on low for 8 hours, or high for 4.

Slow Cooker Caldo de Pollo in a bowl

What sets this soup apart from others is the bright pop of flavor from the garnishes: bright lime juice, fresh cilantro, minced red onion, and a hint of heat from spicy jalapeños. Serve and enjoy your Slow Cooker Caldo de Pollo! Be sure to try my Mexican Chicken Pozole Soup if your looking for more recipes like this.

Change It Up

  • Add more veggies. You could treat this chicken soup a bit more like an American chicken soup by adding celery, or use up any other extra veggies in your fridge!

Frequently asked questions

What does caldo de pollo mean in English?

It’s chicken soup, or more literally translated, chicken broth.

Is caldo de pollo good for you?

Obviously it changes depending on what toppings you include or if you change out the ingredients, but yes! Caldo de pollo is a relatively healthy soup as it is fairly low in calories and carbs.

Can I make this caldo de pollo on the stove?

Yes! You’ll want to use a large stock pot, and bring all of the ingredients to a boil before covering and reducing to a simmer. Simmer until veggies are tender, then serve and enjoy!
Caldo de pollo.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

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Liz eating slow cooker caldo de pollo.

It’s commonly prepared with potato cubes or white rice, so feel free to add either! If you can get your hand on homemade corn tortillas and a couple of ripe avocados, I urge you to eat this Slow Cooker Caldo de Pollo with both.

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Slow Cooker Caldo de Pollo?

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Slow Cooker Caldo de Pollo in a bowl

Slow Cooker Caldo de Pollo

4.61 stars average
Liz Della Croce
Loaded with plenty of flavor and very easy to make, my Slow Cooker Caldo de Pollo is a quick, weekday version of the Mexican comfort food classic.
PREP: 10 minutes
COOK: 4 hours
TOTAL: 4 hours 10 minutes
Pin
Servings6

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 8 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
  • 12 ounces shredded chicken (rotisserie works well)
  • 2 carrots (diced)
  • 1 large onion (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 juice of lime
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • slices additional lime wedges (minced cilantro and jalapeño – to serve)

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients (chicken broth through pepper) in a slow cooker and stir to combine.
  • Heat on Low for 8 Hours or High for 4 Hours.
  • Serve with lime wedges and garnish with plenty of minced cilantro and jalapeño slices.

Last Step:

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Liz’s Notes

Can you use roasted chicken in Caldo De Pollo?

Absolutely – feel free to roast any chicken you have on hand such as bone-in chicken breasts, thighs, wings or drumsticks.

Is Caldo de Pollo Freezer Friendly?

Absolutely! This soup can last up to three months stored in the freezer in an air-tight container.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 7.4g | Protein: 19.5g | Fat: 2.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.5g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 490mg | Fiber: 1.1g | Sugar: 3.2g


4.61 from 33 votes (26 ratings without comment)

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51 responses to “Slow Cooker Caldo de Pollo”

  1. Sadye Avatar
    Sadye

    Wow, that looks *insanely* easy and delicious — and can I just comment on what a fantastic food background you come from?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Awww thank you so much. And yes, INSANELY easy!!!

  2. Annie @ ciaochowbambina Avatar
    Annie @ ciaochowbambina

    I’ve got my slow cooker out for another recipe but now it looks like I’ll keep it out a little longer…This looks awesome!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Let me know if you try it Annie!

  3. Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats Avatar
    Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats

    Love all the fresh garnishes on the top, so yummy, your right it totally does set it apart from other from others in the same category.

    Totally didn’t realize that your dad speaks spanish and your were born on the Mexican border, crazy cool! My husband grew up in Venezuela and Ecuador so he is fluent too, comes in handy. :)

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh that’s so awesome Krista!!

  4. Faith (An Edible Mosaic) Avatar
    Faith (An Edible Mosaic)

    Yes – I love the bright pop of flavor and color from the garnishes here! Such a pretty soup!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I am obsessed with fresh herb garnishes!

  5. Bri Avatar
    Bri

    Can wait to try this!! Quick question though,, do you think this would work the same by using frozen chicken instead of rotisserie in the crockpot?? Thx in advance! :)

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes absolutely!! You just may need to add a bit more salt and pepper. :)

  6. Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps Avatar
    Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps

    The perfect soup for the increasingly cooler days! Love all the Mexican garnishes!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      It really has been so cold hasn’t it!!

  7. Gaby Avatar
    Gaby

    Great fall dinner idea!

  8. Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen Avatar
    Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen

    I want this for dinner tonight! It is rainy and cool and this would be amazing!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      It’s cold and rainy here too!! Warm up friend!

  9. Sandy @ Reluctant Entertainer Avatar
    Sandy @ Reluctant Entertainer

    Looks fabulous Liz. I’m going to whip up some crock pot meals this week, can’t wait.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      It’s the best time of year for the slow cooker!!

  10. Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog Avatar
    Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog

    This sounds like such a delicious soup! I’m all about Mexican flavors and soup, so naturally I’m loving this (as I do all your amazing recipes :) )

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      You’re so sweet Phi!