Pastel de Papa and Chicken Soup
A creamy and comforting soup featuring mashed potatoes, shredded chicken, and a velvety broth infused with herbs and garlic. This puerto rican-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs large, peeled and diced russet potatoes, cooked and shredded chicken breast, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 6, 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 large, peeled and diced russet potatoes
- 1.5 lbs, cooked and shredded chicken breast
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 2: Pour in 6 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp thyme, and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Step 3: Add diced potatoes and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender. Use a potato masher to crush half the potatoes directly in the pot, leaving the rest slightly chunky for texture.
- Step 4: Stir in shredded chicken and cook for 5 minutes until heated through. Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pastel de Papa and Chicken Soup take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Pastel de Papa and Chicken Soup?
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 medium, diced onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pastel de Papa and Chicken Soup?
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 Pastel de Papa and Chicken Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Pastel de Papa and Chicken Soup?
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
- ★★★★★
I've tried many soups recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.