Everyone has that comfort food they remember growing up. For most, it’s a chicken soup or a stew that mom or grandma made either when you were sick or during those cold winter months. My grandmother’s version of a Peruvian soup staple is that memory for me. I loved it. I still do! I am lucky enough to still have my Ita to call when I forget a recipe or want to take on a new one. Which is exactly what I did when I had a hankering for my comfort food.
Now, my Ita is old school with recipes. She doesn’t believe in measuring by cups/spoons at all. She says things like, you put this and that in and maybe a sprinkle of that other thing. Ask her for amounts, she scoffs and says you don’t need them… just do what I say! LOL So, I have put together this recipe as close as possible to measurements as I could. If I say a little of this, or a dash of that, well, forgive me…I am my Ita’s grandchild after all.
Aguadito de Pollo
Ingredients
- 6-8 chicken pieces, cleaned (I prefer leg & thigh but can be any)
- 1 bunch of cilantro
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 onion diced
- 2 tablespoons dry oregano (1 and 1/2 or less if fresh- chopped)
- 3 tbspn Olive Oil (Ita uses Canola, I like EVOO)
- 1 cup rice
- 1 and 1/2 chicken bouillon cube
- 5 cups of water (2 cups with cilantro)
- salt and pepper
- 1-2 carrots cubes
- 1/2 cup peas
- 1-2 corn on the cob (in fourths) (optional)
- lime wedges (optional)
Directions
Cut off the stems of the cilantro bunch, wash, and then put in a blender. Add 2 cups of water to blender, and blend on high until cilantro is well blended. Set aside.
In a big pot, heat oil and toss in onions, oregano and minced garlic. Sautee for about 2-4 mins while stirring over medium heat. Add in chicken, with some salt and light pepper and stir for about 7-9 mins to lightly brown both sides of chicken pieces.
Once chicken has some color, pour in cilantro mixture and stir. Allow mixture to come to a boil, lower heat and let mixture simmer for about 10 mins (this lets the chicken absorb the cilantro flavor).
Add in remainder of water, bouillon cubes, some more salt (I usually do one sprinkle around the pot) and a few dashes of pepper and stir. Allow to simmer and stir occassionally for about 15 mins.
Add rice to mixture, stir, lower heat and cover. Allow to cook for about 10-12 mins.
Add carrots, peas and corn, stir to mix in. Cover for an additional 5-8 mins.
Serve with lime wedge (I squeeze the lime juice into my bowl, it enhances the flavor…my hubs says it’s fine without, so it’s up to you. Enjoy!
Haha! She measures like my mom! She always says “Taste it, you’ll know when it’s right!” This looks like an incredible recipe! I have to admit just looking at the photo is comforting!
Angela Michels
I have to try it with lime – never done that. Thanks for posting your recipe.
Oh. My. Goodness. This looks so mouthwatering-ly delicious!!
mmmm this sounds delish! Copying this recipe for sure
That looks delicious! I’m definitely going to add this to my list of recipes to try! And it seems like something relatively easy for someone like me to handle (I’m not the best cook. lol) Thanks
I love chicken soup, but most of the time I just have it out of a can. This looks delish!
Yum – this recipe sounds AMAZING! Thanks for sharing it.
I am going to make this today, I have the ingredients and this looks really delicious!
Thank you for the wonderful recipe. It looks DELICIOUS!!! I can’t wait to try it out.
Amazing! I make something similar, but you have it with a twist! I definitely want to try your recipe for sure!! Its a perfect day to do it, the cold rainy weather just rolled in!
Delicious!!! Can’t wait to try this one out!
The recipe for my grandmother’s beloved Chicken Paprikash is written down with just the ingredients, no amounts, no cooking instructions. Thankfully my mother and sister have cooked it with her and have good memories. So I can relate!
I like the addition of lime in the soup.
I learned a couple recipes that way from my grandmother. This sounds delicious!
That looks so good! And I’m a lime girl, so I’ll definitely be trying it with the lime. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Looks so good. My mom used to make a Mexican chicken and rice soup that is the best soup when you’re sick. I’ve asked her for the recipe, but she doesn’t really have one. Just throw it in the pot. I tried to recreate it last week because I was so sick. It was good, but not quite the same
Oh yummy! Love your recipe. It’s very detailed. Exactly what I need.
Delicious! I love reading about recipes that are being handed down to generations!
So I’ve never had Peruvian food…crazy right? I’ll have to try it!
Always love traditional family recipes. Thanks for sharing, cause we’re gonna try it!
Looks so delicious! I am going to try this recipe!