Achiote Chicken Soup with Lime and Cilantro

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-12 · Updated 2026-04-12

A vibrant, aromatic Guatemalan soup featuring chicken simmered in a smoky achiote broth, brightened by fresh lime and cilantro. This Guatemalan-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, achiote paste, white onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.25 lbs chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp achiote paste
• 1 medium white onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 medium carrot
• 2 celery stalks
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 lime
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium chopped white onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp achiote paste and cook for 1 minute until the oil separates and the mixture becomes fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1.25 lbs chicken thighs, 1 medium diced carrot, and 2 diced celery stalks to the pot. Cook for 3 minutes to sear the chicken.
4. Step 4: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
5. Step 5: Remove chicken thighs and shred them. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Add 1 medium diced carrot and simmer for 5 more minutes.
6. Step 6: Squeeze the juice of 1 lime into the soup and stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 3 minutes until flavors meld.