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Caldo de Gallina, or Peruvian Hen Soup, is one of Peru's most iconic and beloved soups. Seen as the perfect energy booster to start the day, this traditional dish is known for its rich and comforting flavours that locals can't get enough of!
You'll be amazed at how easy it is to prepare an amazing Caldo de Gallina (or Caldo de Pollo) with our quick and easy recipe, giving you more time to enjoy this tasty soup with friends and family!
What is Caldo de Gallina?
A powerful and flavourful soup, Caldo de Gallina is a robust and addictive soup that consists either of hen (gallina) or chicken (pollo) meat, along with a variety of vegetables and spices. Whilst it may just sound like your ordinary chicken soup, Caldo de Gallina comes highly revered in Peru for its restorative and replenishing properties, acting as the perfect remedy for the cold weather, fatigue or illness.
The use of hen meat, rather than chicken, is said to give this dish a much deep and more pronounced flavour. Typically much tougher and flavourful, hen (gallina) neat is the perfect choice for this dish as it stands up well to the long simmering process required for this soup.
Nutritional Benefits of Caldo de Gallina
We've long heard about the supposed health benefits that come from regularly consuming Caldo de Gallina, but is there any science behind these rumours? Absolutely!
Caldo de Gallina is packed full of protein, vitamins and minerals that makes it a very nourishing meal. Here's some of its key benefits:
Rich in Protein: Both hen and chicken meat are rich in high-quality protein, essential for muscle repair and growth.
Immunity Boosting Properties: This soup contains garlic and ginger, which have a long history of supporting both the immune system and reducing inflammation.
Packed with Vitamins and Minerals: Caldo de Gallina contains a plethora of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A (from the carrots), vitamin C (from the herbs), calcium (from the chicken/hens bones) and potassium (from the potatoes).
How is Caldo de Gallina Enjoyed?
This tremendous broth can be found all throughout Peru, both in households and food markets. Given its strong nutritional value, it's often prepared during the winter months or anytime a family member gets sick.
You can even find market stalls in Peru's major cities that exclusively serve this popular soup, particularly in Lima where both Caldo de Gallina and Caldo de Pollo are regularly consumed. Regional variations of this dish exist throughout Peru, particularly in the Andes or Amazon regions where ingredients such as Mote or Cassava can be included.
How to make Caldo de Gallina
To make a delicious tasting Caldo de Gallina, follow the steps below:
Chop all the Ingredients: Chop the carrots, celery, leeks, potatoes and hen meat.
Boil the Meat and Vegetables: Add garlic, ginger, and a whole onion to the pot. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Next, add the meat and vegetables to the pot.
Simmer: Let the soup simmer for at least 2-3 hours to allow the flavours to meld and the hen to become nice and tender. Season with salt, pepper and any other spices to taste.
Add Noodles or Pasta: Cook noodles or pasta separately and add it into the soup at the end.
Garnish the Soup: Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped cilantro or parsley and hard-boiled eggs.
Caldo de Gallina Recipe
If you prefer to watch a video showing you how to make Caldo de Gallina, then please see below.
Ingredients for Caldo de Gallina
1 whole chicken/hen
1.5 litres of water
200 gr of spaghetti
1 large carrot or two medium ones
2 potatoes
Ginger to taste
8 stems of Chinese onion, white part and the green part chopped for decoration.
6 to 8 stalks of celery
4 to 6 cloves of garlic
Salt, pepper and oregano to taste
2 egg yolks
1/2 tablespoon of MSG (optional)
Chicken stock to taste