Hearty Chicken Asopao with Vegetables
A soul-warming Puerto Rican rice soup loaded with tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and rich broth for cozy comfort. This puerto rican-inspired soups ready in about 45 minutes pairs tablespoons olive oil, pound, cubed chicken breast, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound, cubed chicken breast
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 medium, diced tomato
- 1 cup, diced carrot
- 1 cup, diced zucchini
- 1/2 cup, diced bell pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
- 1 cup white rice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 pound chicken breast cubes and cook for 5 minutes until browned on all sides, then set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced medium onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 diced medium tomato to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until onion is soft and translucent.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup diced carrots, 1 cup diced zucchini, 1/2 cup diced bell pepper, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning, and 1 cup white rice. Bring to a simmer, then return chicken to the pot.
- Step 4: Cover and cook for 25 minutes on low heat until rice is tender and vegetables are cooked through, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 5: Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hearty Chicken Asopao with Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Hearty Chicken Asopao with Vegetables?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tablespoons olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hearty Chicken Asopao with Vegetables?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Hearty Chicken Asopao with Vegetables for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Hearty Chicken Asopao with Vegetables?
Puerto Rican soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
