Pastel de Papa and Chicken Soup

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

★ 3.6 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 Puerto Rican cuisine 250 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

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